Resolutions and Results - God's Way

Dear New Venture Family and Friends,

It's that time of year again.…The beginning of a new start, a point in time to start fresh, to turn a new leaf, to write some goals, and more importantly, to be resolved! Welcome to 2013.

Today, approximately 45% of Americans dedicate this time to write out formal New Year's Resolutions with the number one goal usually being to lose more weight, get in shape or to get healthier. The goals sound worthwhile don't they? The only problem is that within months, most Americans forget what their New Year's goal(s) were, much less being on the way to fulfilling them. Want some Resolutions with Results?! The best way, is committing to do them God's Way. Let me explain:

Direct your goals away from your own abilities and back on track toward God. For instance if you’re trying to take positive steps towards getting healthy try this goal out:

Less sugar, more fruit. Less meat, more vegetables. Less soda, more water. Less driving, more walking. Less worry, more sleep. Less words, more actions. Less me, MORE GOD!

Those who use this time of year to glorify and honor our Lord, rather than ourselves with our resolutions will be blessed (Matt. 6:33). Putting God back into the process of making goals and trusting in Him to guide your path is the best insurance of success you could ever have. The more we take ourselves out of the equation of our lives, the more God is able to work miracles in our lives. Here's how the equation should look: My responsibility is to get out of the way and allow Him to work. His Promise: "to do exceeding abundantly beyond anything I could possibly ask or think" (Eph. 3:20).

It's been wisely said that…"NOTHING VENTURED = NOTHING GAINED!" You can't get anywhere unless you're willing to take a risk (the Bible calls it "faith"). Don’t be afraid to risk it all - taking positive steps of faith with God this year, as opposed to merely "leaps of the imagination." This year, with Him, I plan on doing that. How about you?

My prayer for this New Year is that is that we become more than just resolved, but rather glorify Him with resolutions that honor God and draw lasting attention to Him.

"13" may not be a lucky number. But I've got a special feeling - that this year... it's going to be a blessed one!

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let's rejoice and be glad in it…” ~Psalms 118:24.

A God blessed and awesome year to you!