A N.E.W. Y.E.A.R. Challenge

I had another post ready to be published today, but I had wanted to share something with you all that really encouraged me last Wednesday. Our family went to the regular church service that evening, and I was so glad we did. It was one of those “I would rather stay home” nights, but “I got blessed” endings.

Our pastor gave us a challenge on the New Year. I know what you are thinking: "Leslie, it’s January 5th. The 'new' year is 'old' news." Did anyone think that yet? No? Yes? Well, keep reading no matter your answer….maybe you will get something out of this like I did.

Using “N.E.W. Y.E.A.R.” as an acrostic, our pastor brought out something each letter stood for that as a child of God, we should put into practice this year. As you read this, I hope you will ask and let the Lord speak to your heart as He did mine. These are taken from my notes – what our pastor said and what I thought of – during this challenge. If any of my fellow church members were there, then this will be a partial repeat. If any were not there, then you'll see what you missed out on!

N – Number Your Days
Invest your time IN THE LORD. We are not promised tomorrow.

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Do not forget the people the Lord has placed in your life. Hug your loved ones. Tell them you LOVE them.

One of these days, all we have worked for will turn into ashes metaphorically and realistically. Don’t devote your life to the things of this world.

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References: Psalm 90:12; James 4:14; Ecclesiastes 2:11

E – Exalt the Lord Daily
In a world that worships self and even promotes it (“If you believe in yourself”), let us realize we exist to uplift the Lord. Everything we do as God’s children is either MAGNIFYING Him or MINIMIZING Him.

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References: Psalm 99:5,9; 29:2; 34:3; 95:6; 100

W – Walk with God Daily
Read God's Word.
Pray.
Meditate on the Scriptures.

Determine to walk CLOSER with God because doing all these things - if your heart is not in it - will not mean you are "walking with God".

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If you only pray when you are in trouble....then you are in trouble.

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At this point of the challenge, I was thinking of a song I sang as a child,

"He's still working on me, 

To make me what I ought to be.....

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart, 

Don't judge me yet, there's an unfinished part. 

But I'll be perfect just according to His plan

Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.....

How loving and patient He must be

'Cause He's still workin' on me"

It's a  song some of you may have sung as a child too, but oh, still applicable today even as adults (at least to me!).

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References: Micah 6:8; I Thessalonians 5:17; Joshua 1:8

Y - Yield to the Holy Spirit's Control
This is a command in Scripture, not a suggestion. Think of a garden glove laying on your table. Can that glove go work out in the soil on its own? No, you have to put your hand inside the glove to fill it, and once you do, you control the spade or trowel. The Holy Spirit is the same away; allow Him to fill you and use you. Allow Him to control you.

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References: Romans 6:13; Ephesians 5:18, John 15:5

E - Engage in Soul Winning
You should know if the devil fights against it, then it is probably something you should be doing. Don't feel like you have the right words? Do you feel afraid to broach the subject? There are so many excuses reasons we use to not do it. But guess what? It is a commandment too just like the prior point. Just like the commandments that tell us what we should not do, there are ones that tell us what we should do. If we do the opposite, it is sin.

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One of the Bible classes I took last semester at my church was "personal evangelism". Talk about going home every night feeling like your toes had been stepped on. But also, it was good for me. I knew it was something I needed to work on. If we would TRULY get a picture of what HELL will be for our family, our friends, and even the bagger at the grocery store, we would get over our pride and tell others about our faithful, holy, and loving Savior. (I'm "preaching" to myself right here and my toes are hurting, believe me.)

References: Proverbs 11:30; Mark 5:1-20

Feeling convicted yet? I was already before this point. Keep going though....it'll end good. ;)

A - Attend Church Faithfully
If you do, what are you going to lose? Nothing. What will you gain? Just like when I went to church last Wednesday night and did not FEEL like it, I left FEELING encouraged, uplifted, and motivated. It was good for the growth of my Christian life.

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We will make time for the things that are important to us. How important is our sweet Jesus to you? And me? Spending time with other believers in worship and praise is important to Him. The way we spend our days and hours and minutes shows to ourselves, our family, friends, and those watching us that we don't realize are watching what has priority in our lives. Is that your career? Your family? Sports? A relationship with Christ?

References: Ephesians 4:11-12; Proverbs 22:6, II Timothy 3:13-14; Colossians 1:18, Matthew 6:25-34; Ephesians 3:21; John 14:15, 21, 23; I John 5:3; I Timothy 3:15

R - Rejoice in the Lord Always
This year could be the best year of our lives or in all reality, it could be the worst year. (I know, I said I was going to end good.) We need to determine that no matter what takes place this year, good or bad, we will rejoice in the Lord always! Our God is good ALL. THE. TIME. He makes no mistakes.

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Think of Paul in prison in the book of Philippians, he was possibly chained to a guard, he had no privacy, no freedoms, and lived in appalling conditions. Yet in Philippians 4:4, he wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice."

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I have several friends right now going through cancer, and they are honestly choosing joy on a daily basis. They know the joy of the Lord, the peace that comes in knowing Him.

References: Philippians 4:4; Habakkuk 3:17-18

So many have made resolutions and set goals to lose weight, get out of debt, learn a hobby, etc. Hey, even I am. I am participating in Kristy's 2015 Detox, but guess what? You could have a perfect body, be debt free, and complete 2015 by crocheting a sweater using the Tunisian cable stitch (supposed to be one of THE hardest), but unless you have made Jesus your Lord and Savior and are close to Him, you will not be happy. Scratch that. You may be happy without Him, but you will not be filled with joy. Happiness is a result of circumstances, but God gives us joy.

If you have not experienced the joy the Lord can give and are interested in learning more, then please feel free to email me with questions or check out my church's site for information (where you will also find a link to the message my pastor taught from 12-31-14). If you have asked Jesus to forgive you from your sins, then I hope this was as much of a challenge AND encouragement as it was for me. I felt like the Lord wanted me to share it even though I was hesitant, so maybe there is just one out there for which it was meant.

It's not too late to start this N.E.W. Y.E.A.R. challenge! Even if you fall off the proverbial bandwagon a month later, you can get back on and start again. Hey, none of us have arrived. There is ALWAYS room for growth.

P.S. I do not necessarily support any of the sites I have listed as sources for my images. They were images I had pinned on Pinterest over the last few years. :)