JESUS SAID
A Weekly Spirit-Lifter Bible-based Devotional
San Diego Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
JESUS SAID                                                                            January 1, 2018
Consider...

Happy New Year!

Can you believe that today is January 1, 2018. 

For many, today invites a pause for reflection.

Did you know that reflection is Biblical? 

 Take a look at these scriptures: 

Proverbs 27:19 - "As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."

2 Timothy 2:7 - "Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this."

Haggai 2:15 - "'Now give careful thought to this from this day on-consider how things were before."

Take a look at what Jesus said when it comes to reflection...He uses the word "consider."

"Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them." Luke 12:24.

"Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin." Luke 12:27.

Considering and reflecting helps us see what is going on inside of us. Reflecting helps us build insight, self-awareness, and wisdom.

So let's do some reflection...

Consider what went well in 2017?  

Look at the mental, physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual aspects of your life...

Twelve months have gone by. How did it go for you? 

Considering the good in your life is your fuel. It keeps you going day to day, and it motivates you to make an even better tomorrow. 

How did you grow?

By the end of the year you should be a better version of yourself in some way, after all, this is what God wants for us.

Are you wiser? Did you grow deeper in your trust relationship with God? 

Stagnation is the opposite of growth, and stagnation is not a good thing for personal and spiritual well-being.

What are you thankful for? 

In other words, who or what do you appreciate?

Scripture says to give thanks! So, over the past 12 months, who do you need to give your appreciation to? 

What do you want to name 2018? 

Naming the new year is a simple way to have an intentional direction to go. 

Obviously you wouldn't plan to have a bad year. So name it the way you'd want it. 

Fill in the blank: 2018: The year of __________.

Here's an idea. What about naming it the year of "expectancy" because you can hardly wait to see the blessings that God has for you.

What kind of person do you want to grow into? 

This also includes other roles like employee, boss, peer, friend, spouse, etc.? How do you want to grow in these roles?

What do you want in 2018?

What are your goals, intentions, and possibilities for the year ahead?

How will you put the goals into action?

Without a plan, what you want in 2018 is meaningless.

What is your plan? And who do you need to connect more with to seek help from?

Who do you need to forgive in 2018? 

Is it a spouse, a friend, someone at church...or do you need to forgive yourself? 

Another take on this question is this: What about 2017 that went bad are you going to let go of?

What does God want for you in 2018?

Let's read Psalm 119 to let scripture inform our plans for the future.

Here are some excerpts:

"Blessed are those who stay on course,
    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
Blessed is the one who follows His directions,
    That's right-you don't go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road He set.

You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
    keeping to the course you set;
Then I'd never have any regrets
    in comparing my life with your counsel.

I'm going to do what you tell me to do.

How can a person live a good life?
    By carefully reading the map of your Word.
    Train me, Lord, in your ways of wise living.
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
    than in gathering a pile of riches.

Open my eyes so I can see
    what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I'm a stranger in these parts;
    give me clear directions."

May God richly bless you as you give serious thought to how your life links to His master plan for you this year. 

Happy, HAPPY New Year!

ABOUT JESUS SAID
JESUS SAID  is a weekly Spirit-Lifter devotional thought from the  San Diego Central Seventh-day Adventist Church Communication Ministry. On a weekly basis, Bible-based readings will provide you with practical application to lift your day. JESUS SAID devotionals are copyright © 2017 by Brenda Boyd, PhD. Reprinted by permission.

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