All the Days of the Year

My husband and I were talking about New Year's resolutions.  Most people evaluate the past year, see what areas require improvement, set a goal and intend to stick with it the coming year.  Some include spend more time with the family, create a healthy meal plan, work out every day, hug and kiss my spouse every day, become debt free, etc.  We each experience different areas of weakness and look to improve. 

Once we complete our goals, we may hang them somewhere for all to see.  New Year's Day comes and we persevere to accomplish the goals.  The gyms fill with individuals determined to shed some pounds.  Grocery stores and restaurants advertise all the "healthy" food to help consumers make better choices.  Families take time to focus on each other.  God hears some new voices lifting up prayer. 

What happens around March?  The treadmills quite moving, weights remain unmoved and the money spent on a membership wasted.  Restaurants still offer healthy choices, but find consumers ignoring that section of the menu.  Families become busy and forget the resolution.  Unfortunately, God gets the back burner as well. 

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:15-16) 

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36) 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

It takes faith, courage, strength and discipline to do what is right.  God provides all these and more.  We must seek Him to figure out what area in our lives needs improvement.  Ask Him if any offensive ways appear in your life and He will show you the proper steps to get back on the straight path.  Give your resolutions to Him and let Him give you strength to persevere. 

In order to lose the weight, you must remain working out.  To change eating habits, you must continue each day to make healthier choices.  To keep the family close, you must make it a priority to spend time with them.  Changing our lives for the good cannot happen overnight or go for a little bit, then give up.  To see results, one must be diligent in their work.

Just so with our relationship with God; we must obey His commands daily.  We cannot just follow when no trials appear in life, only a few months of the year or just to fulfill a list of resolutions.  We must follow ALWAYS.  We cannot just attend church two to three times a year and think we did our part.  We must give ourselves wholly to Him and not grow weary in obeying His commands.  We will reap a harvest and see great results if we do not give up.

Churches will fill to capacity at Christmas time.  Gyms will fill to capacity during the first months of the year.  Healthy food will fill the cabinets in kitchens all around for a while.  What about the rest of the year?  Let us work to continue on the right path, the path created by God.  Join Him in church each week, spend daily time in His Word to bring spiritual nourishment, take care of your body all year round and eat healthy to remain strong and be able to carry out the commands given by God.  You will be richly rewarded!

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for the chance to spend this time as Your servant here on Earth.  Continue to show me what areas need improvement to better serve You.  Provide strength to persevere through the tough times and remain faithful to Your Truth.  Help me to spread Your Word each day.  Guide me where Your plan leads.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig