Happy New Year’s! This week I’ve suggested a completely different set of resolutions that will transform your life, making it more Christ-like. We’ve talked about Daily Bible Reading, Surrendering our lives to God, and Remembering. Today I offer a final resolution for 2012.
Resolution #4 is to have a grateful, thankful heart.
In fact, I suggest that we keep a running list of things we are thankful for, making a mental note to add to the list every day…every… single…day. (I admit this is not an original idea. I got it from reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts.) The fact that we know we are going to record things we are grateful for will make us look for those things during the day. It will also keep our mind and heart focused on gratitude. It makes us look at difficulties differently, too. We will look for the good in the midst of those difficulties. Do we really believe that “all things work together for good” and that God has “plans…plans to prosper and not to harm” and that “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” and that He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think?” If we truly believe what God has said in His Word, we will look for those God moments. And those are the moments we will record in our journal. And our lives will be richer and fuller and more open to what God wants to do in and through us.
“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chron. 29:12-13
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness endures through all generations.” Ps. 100:4
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive…Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col. 3:12-17
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything…” Eph. 5:20
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7
May your new year be God-centered and blessed!
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