A LIFE-CHANGING NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

I love it.  It is that time of year again.  We are going to lose weight, exercise more, get out of debt, stick to a budget, stop smoking, save for the future, spend more time with the family.
 
We make resolutions because we want to bring change to bear on our circumstances.  We want to improve ourselves and our quality of life.  The top three resolutions, for most people tend to revolve around the same three issues: money, health and family.  But this year I want to challenge you to make a spiritual commitment that will revolutionize your life and make a positive impact on your life in every way.  I want to encourage you to make a commitment to SPEND TIME WITH GOD ON A DAILY BASIS IN 2011.  At Olivet we call it a quiet time, or some call it a time out with God, or devotional time.  It does not matter to me what you call it, I just encourage you to commit to it.  When I was a sophomore in college at OBU, I had a friend to encouraged me to develop a daily time with God.  That year, I began to do my best in making time with God a daily commitment, and it radically changed my walk with God. I want to encourage you to do the same
 
I know that we have people at different levels of commitment in their walk with God.  Let me encourage you to begin in one of four ways.
 
101- If you have never really developed a daily time with God, you might begin by getting a biblically based devotional book and commit a few minutes with God each day in the devotional book and prayer.  You might begin with a 40 day devotional like the Purpose Driven Life.  Another book that Kelli and I have enjoyed together over the last couple of year is DAILY LIGHT ON THE DAILY PATH by Samuel Bagster.  It is a daily compilation of Scriptures around a certain theme.  Bagster owned a bookstore and put these together as a daily devotional for his family years ago.  You can get these at any local Christian bookstore.
 
201- Some need to step it up.  I hope that you will commit to read through the bible this year.  There are lots of different bible reading plans you can get on the internet.  At Olivet, we are using the one that is put out by http://www.lifejournal.cc  You can either take the paper copy (we have some at the welcome center) or you can read it online.  It has a daily bible reading plan for the year and will even read it for you.
 
301- Some need to take it a step further.  I encourage you to read through the bible and journal this year.  My goal this year is to read the bible through on the http://www.lifejournal.cc plan and journal at least 5 days a week.  By a journal, I am not talking about a diary but recording what God is saying to you and doing in your life.  On that website are several examples of how to journal using the SOAP acrostic.  I will give you an example at the bottom of the page.
 
401- Some this year may take it to a whole nother level.  Maybe you need someone to hold you accountable, or you can help someone else along the way by starting a Spiritual Growth group.  You could have 2 to 6 people get together one or two days a week.  In 45 minutes to an hour you can meet and develop the habit of a daily quiet time together.  Here is a plan.  Take the first 15-20 minutes and read the bible reading for the day.  The next 15-20 each person can share what verse in that reading spoke them, what they think it says and how it can apply to their life today.  Lastly, take the next 15-20 for prayer requests and prayer time.
 
What might happen if you met with a few people two days a week at lunch?  Or at School?  Or at  Restaurant?  Listen, you would not only grow but others would take notice.
 
My prayer is that you will make time with our Father, the top priority the coming year.
 
CHOOSE A SPECIAL TIME—Mark in on your calendar and day planner.  Make time
 
CHOOSE A SPECIAL PLACE—Find a place where you can get alone with God.
 
CHHOOSE A DEFINITE PLAN—Take one of these plans and make the most of your time with God
 
My prayer is that 2011 will be an incredible year of spiritual growth for you, our church family and ultimate God’s Kingdom.
 
Pastor Scott
 
Here is an example of a journal entry out of the Life Journal
 
  S cripture-  “what I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.” Matthew 10: 27
 
  O bservation- If I am not hearing Him in the darkness, what will I speak in the light?  If I am not hearing Him whisper in my ear, what will I proclaim on the housetops?!
 
  A pplication- What a great word!  This scripture reminds me to not only talk to God in prayer, but equally important to hear Him in prayer!
 
  P rayer- “Dear Jesus, help me to hear You today!  I want to be still that I may hear Your marching orders for my day, for my week, for my life.  Speak Lord!  Your
                  servant is listening!”