(That’s Me, Looking Ahead)

Here are just a few verses to help us all think about what we might do better in the New Year.  I try not to do New Year’s Resolutions, as I’ve never been good at keeping them.  However, I do try to take stock in myself, my work and how I want things to go, with God’s help, every new year.  So, this time ,I am sharing with you what I have found to be some helpful  verses, and I hope and pray that they will lend a hand to  you as you seek the Lord’s will for your life in 2013.

Isaiah 43:18&19:   “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Jeremiah 29:11:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Ecclesiastes 3:12-8:  There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

2 Corinthians 5:17:  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Romans 12:1&2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  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.”

Hebrews 5:13&14:  “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Philippians 3:13-16:  “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Revelation 3:11&12:  “I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”

1 John 3:16-18:  “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?   Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Proverbs 16:1-3:  “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.  All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.  Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Psalms 20:1-4:  “May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.  May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.  May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. "Selah"  May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

I trust that these might assist you and get you thinking about your plans and His plans for you in 2013.  I know that I must consider the Lord in all my course of action, every day and every step of the way. I ask that He will guide me and provide for me all that I need to make sure this is the best year ever and for the ministry here in Mexico and also for each of you, my friends and mission partners.  God Bless You All.