Writer for Real Life Faith Magazine
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Editor Michele Jackson
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Business Fellowship USA Northern VA Chapter #75
Falls Church, VA
14 Jan 10 7:00-9:00pm
Bentley’s
Guest Speaker

I thought I would post this on my web site. This article was published on 1 Jan 2010 in Real Life Faith Magazine. Enjoy “A New Year!”

I thought I would take this opportunity to start my first article in Real Life Faith Magazine to talk about the New Year. Here we are in January 2010, just days into a brand new year. Most of us have eaten too much, spent too much and are gladly welcoming another year and are sighing with relief. Our hearts are warm with the memories of baby Jesus’ birth and spending the holiday season with family members and friends. For those who live in the Washington, D.C. area, the snow was definitely an added memory to Christmas 2009! It was awesome, and I truly enjoyed staying home and getting some much needed rest. Now that we have celebrated the Holiday season and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we look forward to a new year, a fresh attitude and hopes that this year will be the best year of our lives. And it can be. It can be because of our Father who gave His only Son, so that we may live a victorious life. We can look forward to all things good and perfect in Christ. The holidays are nice, and we love them, but after they are over and the new year comes in most of us reevaluate our lives, make our New Year resolutions and breathe.

I am one of those evaluators and breathers, but I have not made any New Year’s resolutions; and I don’t remember making any last year. I have made a couple of mental notes in my mind to eat right and exercise, so that I can get back to my previous weight pre-Thanksgiving, Christmas, Holiday Parties, etc. That’s all. As for a New Year’s resolution list, I have not made one; and I do not have any plans to make one. I know that sounds untraditional, but it’s just that I do not want to set myself up for failure especially so early in the new year. Not to persuade anyone not to make a list, but I know that for many years I did, and it did not work out the way I anticipated it to work. My goals are to be in Him and allow Him to direct my every step. Not that I am super spiritual or so much deeper than anyone else, it’s just I’ve learned the hard way. I have learned in my life that everything I plan to do I do not, and those things I plan not to do I do. Paul sums it up in Romans 7:19 (King James Version Bible)-“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” I think Paul is basically summing up the life of a Christian.

In Romans Chapter 7 Paul talks about the life of a Christian and the difference and disparity in the spirit and in the body (flesh). The body wants to rule, and just when we think we have everything under control we find that no matter how good the list of things are we eventually become slack in doing those things; and the few, if any, we do achieve, then we think that we did it in our own strength. The Bible talks about how weak our flesh is, and the war between the flesh and the spirit. The flesh rebels against the good things and desires the negative things. In order for us to have the strength to meet the resolutions and/or to live a disciplined life we have to deny the flesh and continue to ask God for strength and courage, after all we can make as many lists as we possibly can, but unless we press forward and seek God for His guidance we will just be giving lip service or in this example list service.

It’s okay to make your list, check it twice or refer to the list as often as you need to; and maybe it will keep your focus. But for me, I know that I have to keep my focus on God to do the things I need to do in 2010. I’ve made so many lists in the past, and I know that it doesn’t work for me, as a matter of fact it seems like a lot of extra pressure; and if I accomplish even one thing on the list, I am afraid that my flesh might try to take credit for it. New Year’s resolution or not, let us live one day at a time; and rely on God to direct our steps. He knows what we need and what we ought to do in every aspect of our lives to live a healthy, faithful, obedient and victorious life.

If you want to have a victorious 2010, then let me share with you how to live victorious this year. Victorious living is effectively using your abilities to do God’s work, to serve Him, love others and to spread the good news of hope, healing and reconciliation. As a victorious Christian in this very hopeful new year, we are responsible for renewing our mind, changing how we think, how we act and react, changing what we think about, what we watch, what we say and don’t say, changing our attitude, our gratitude, our priorities and to live by God’s standards; and when we don’t, we need to ask for forgiveness. All in all, when we reflect back on the past year we can see where we excelled and were we fell short. There is nothing wrong with looking back and reflecting as long as we press forward and connect the dots. All dots should inevitably lead to Jesus. Have a wonderful, victorious New Year’s Day and 2010 in Christ!

“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen” (Ephesians 6:24, KJV.)

Until next time, be blessed!

Rhonda

Streaming Faith Guest Columist for 2010
Jan 2010 – Dec 2010
Providing devotionals and editorials for the new year
Register at www.streamingfaith.com
Please visit streamingfaith.com and view my devotionals and articles.
Thank you kindly!

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