“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Philippians 4:8

As the New Year begins, people make resolutions, most of which are broken by the end of January. But, strangely, they are all about what people are going to do, rather than what they are not going to do.

Have you considered making a list of what you are not going to do during the coming year? If so, I suggest that you begin with your thought process.

One of my favorite quotes is from an unknown person: “Sow a thought and you reap an act. Sow an act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Some decisions lead to amazing destinies!

It is said that we become what we think about all day long. The seedbed of sin is in the brain. What you think about you do and what you do becomes a habit that becomes a part of your character.

Bad thoughts conform us to the world and lead us to sin. Paul, writing in Romans tells us to rise above the world in order to discern the will of God.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”. Romans 12:2

Yes, God calls us to rise above and be transformed with a renewing of our mind and to think about whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, things of excellence and anything worthy of praise.

So as we usher in this new year, let’s make a list of things we won’t think about and concentrate on the renewing of our mind.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

As our mind is stayed on Him, we grow in faith, grace and character. May this coming year be a blessing to you and may you concentrate on being a blessing to others.

By John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practiing attorney.

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Moving into a new year isn’t as simple as merely turning the page on a calendar.

Sometimes, instead of an organized list of plans and goals the new year looks like a list of question marks.

The things of life don’t always fall neatly into place with everything sorted and resolved according to our best laid plans. When we turn a calendar page and a brand new year stares back, it reminds us how little we know about what tomorrow holds and how little control we have over events that unfold.

I have never found it realistic to believe we exert any legitimate control in this world and yet I hear people repeatedly declare how they love to be, and must be in control. When I look around, what I see is a world constantly spinning out of control.

As I enter this new year I will acknowledge that it isn’t about how much I know and how well I have planned for what lies ahead. Approaching this new year is about who I know and that is Jesus Christ. This relationship with Jesus sets the course for another new year and is the firm foundation on which my life stands.

Navigating this journey of life as a new year begins is also a process of holding tight to faith – a faith that endures the calendars of days to come.

Since the dawn of mankind in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve – to the dawn of a new year, God has been pursuing a relationship with us-built on faith and obedience in our walk with Him.

This relationship will grow and deepen when we consistently choose to seek the Lord and faithfully follow Him all the days and all the years of our lives.

As one year ends and the dawn of a new year begins, this is what matters most.

Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, When you search for Me with all your heart.”

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• A New Year Perspective

• New Year Resolution – by Skip Moen

• How Do You Start Fresh in a New Year? – by Jan Stewart

The post What Matters Most for the New Year appeared first on Thoughts About God.