Sunday Words of Encouragement December 27, 2015

The sermon this morning was to prepare us for the New Year. It is a time to start fresh with new beginnings. People should make changes, letting go of old hurts and sorrows. Many people strive to be, or do, better in the new year. Of the 319 million people in the United States, 45% make resolutions (although only 8% or the 45% succeed). These are purposeful, intentional plans for change.
The #1 resolution for the followers of Christ should be to improve spiritually. We need to be intentional about loving God first.
Ephesians 4:22-23 Begins the steps: put off the old self which is separation from God. Put off self-centeredness and seek to serve. Submit to God and step out to a new path. Change for the right reason...to glorify God. He doesn't want perfect Christianity, He wants an open heart.
Implement the plan by:
1. Submitting your life to God.
2. Reading the Bible to keep God’s ways in mind each day.
3. Praying for God’s will in all things.
Satan will put up temptations, obstacles so we must be aware. God made people His priority and we need to follow His example. We do this through training. Just as a habit takes 21 days to make or break, we must train and stay in training to stay in shape.
Ephesians 4:25-31 provides a specific guide to actions to stop doing and verse 32 tells what actions we should do.

This is another song from our Christmas program.

Great words/message.

A Verse for Today:
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I appreciate the message this morning as I turn toward another New Year. If I decide to make a list of resolutions, growing closer to God will be #1 one the list.