Table of contents for Allowing the New Year to be New

1. Allowing the New Year to be New Part 1
2. Allowing the New Year to be New Part 2

Do you desire life to be better in the New Year?  Most of us do!  To experience a better life this year, you play a major part by making 6 vital decisions that will allow your New Year to be new.  This is Part 2 of this post.  If you missed the 3 decisions in Part 1, please use the series link above to read Part 1 first.

Now let’s cover the last 3 vital decisions to allow your New Year to be new!

Live with expectancy for a better future.

In this quote from Philippians 3:13,14, God tells us to forget the past and look toward a better future.

This one thing I do, forgetting what is behind me, but straining every nerve toward that which lies ahead, I am ever pressing on toward the goal, for the prize of the high purpose of God. (BBE, MNT)

I particularly like this translation of “straining with every nerve” toward to high purposes of God. For you to take advantage of living life in this new year, not only forget the past, but honestly put your energy into keeping focused on experiencing the best life possible, the “high purposes” of God for your life. The very next sentence in this discourse says, “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things (Phil. 3:15).” It is true. Maturity teaches us to forget the failures and bad experiences of the past and to look with expectancy for a better future.

Keep in focus that God has in mind even better for you than you can imagine for yourself.

This is a favorite quote I speak over my life.

To Him who by His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think-infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams. Eph. 3:20 Amp

Along the same line of thought is the Law of Attraction, a philosophy based on the scriptural concept of “according to your faith it will be done to you.” It is essential for you to expect a better year for you to experience the “new” that you desire in this year. When you live in a state of expectancy, your positive attitude will improve the way people respond to you. When you envision a better life for yourself, your mind will be more creative in possibilities to reach your goals. This type of focus then causes your spirit to become aware of right choices, paths, opportunities that you would have otherwise missed if you were not living in expectancy.

Last, make new progress in your spiritual life.

We are spiritual beings in a physical body. Our spirits were created to live in a loving relationship with our Creator, God. The health of one’s spirit affects every aspect of life. Making a decision to learn to live in a loving relationship with God if you have not already done so, or to build on the one you already have, will only prove to bring new, wonderful experiences during the gift of life in this new year. God expresses this thought in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

Therefore, if any one is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun! (TCNT)

God has granted you the gift of a new year to live life. Know Him in increasing measure. Allow God to live this life with you as both of you relish in a new life in this new year!

Table of contents for Allowing the New Year to be New

1. Allowing the New Year to be New Part 1
2. Allowing the New Year to be New Part 2

A new year brings most of us the hope of starting over. We desire to see life be better in various areas of our lives during the new year. To start over, to experience a better life, make the decision to allow your year to be new.  Let’s cover 6 vital decisions to allow your year to be new!  (3 decisions in this post, 3 decisions in Part 2)

First, forgive yourself of past mistakes.

Self-condemnation has no benefit. Even God desires us to live without the weight of condemnation. Romans 8:1,2 says that there is no condemnation for those who live in Jesus because God’s Spirit has freed them from the laws (the control, the results) of sin and death.

Second, forgive others.

Remember, if you’ve followed the posts this past year, forgiveness does not involve allowing people to mistreat you. There is a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. For reconciliation to take place, it involves both people being willing to have resolution; in many situations, this is impossible. However, forgiveness takes place in your own heart and frees you from being emotionally tied to that person and bad experience for the rest of your life. For a full discussion on this topic, read the post, Forgiveness or Reconciliation: Understanding the Difference.

Third, forget what God forgets.

That may sound strange to someone who, at first thought, believes that God does not forget. Unlike people, God’s forgetfulness is not due to insufficient memory capability; He chooses to forget certain things. God counsels us to be like Him and do the same thing with emotional baggage or bad past experiences. Yes, be reconciled with those who hurt you if possible. Yes, apologize to someone you have offended if possible. But for negative experiences that can never be resolved or undone, it is time to forget.

I heard a great illustration about forgetfulness. I heard Kenneth Copeland talk about a past experience in which he felt self-condemnation. God spoke to his heart and said, “I told you in my Word to forget that.” When Kenneth asked God about why He chooses forget our failures, God spoke to his spirit, “Do you want to remember the bad about your children?” Out of His love for us, so the relationship is reconciled between us and Him, God chooses to forget our failures. As this next quote below explains, we, too, need only to hold to anything beneficial we may have learned from the experience, but then let it go and move on.

(The last 3 vital decisions for making your New Year new are in Part 2 of this post.)

Busyness of life demands a well-thought out plan to achieve your life goals.

During the past year, I found myself pulled in numerous directions by unavoidable responsibilities, such as adding new parts to one of our businesses, another family member in the household, attending to needs of aging relatives. The use of my time was not always a matter of choice. When this year began, I realized that I needed to refocus with a new, clear cut “life plan” if I was going to achieve my own goals instead of just maintaining in the face of these new responsibilities. Calling to memory last year’s posts on Dawna Markova’s book, I knew I needed to make sure I was “living on purpose” and daily creating the environment needed to live out those purposes. (If you missed those 2 posts, use the links here. Living with Purpose and Living Your Purpose and Creating Your Purposeful Life Environment) In the same way, it is essential for each of you to make a clear cut life plan now, early in the year, to ensure that you stay on a progressive track with all of your goals.

Why Bother?

Because a clear cut life plan is a form of taking control of your life! Someone said to me the other day something along the lines of “Why bother? I know what I want.” Here is the reason — without a detailed plan for your life, the stresses of life distract you. Your focus gets pulled to the issues taking place. Your energies get poured into putting out fires. A detailed life plan in writing which you can skim over every morning keeps you focused on what you need to do the present day, week, and month to accomplish your goals for the year. Secondly, as with the Law of Attraction, making yourself see or “visualize” those goals every morning creates a vital alertness in your mind to any options/opportunities that come up in a day are helpful in achieving those goals.

A Sample Plan

Here is a sample of the categories I used to make my life plan. Yours may vary but you can see that the multiple categories help me make thorough progress in all the various aspects of my life. The details under each of my categories are not listed for privacy purposes, but generally I have about a dozen goals under each category:

Business Goals (This included projected statistics as well as desired projects)

Personal Growth

Spiritual Growth

Household Goals

Charitable Goals

I encourage you to go ahead this week and make a life plan. Life goes by too fast to wait! Don’t let another year slip by and your goals be lost in the midst of life’s busyness. With a life plan, you can stay focused, become alert to daily opportunities, and make your dreams realities!

Attracting the favor you need and desire in your life this year is contingent upon believing you will receive it.

Though the “Law of Attraction” may be a contemporary term, the concept is an ageless one. We have discussed at times in the past the concept of the Law of Attraction, of believing that good will come to you and visualizing it. God Himself, in His covenant with Abraham, asked him to believe for the fulfillment of Abraham’s “impossible” dream for a son when Sarah was over 75 and to visualize the stars in the sky as being his numerous descendents. (See the post Visualizing Your Dreams)

A few months ago, I was doing a word study on the concept of favor, as I was in need of favor during an upcoming business transaction. I was truly amazed at how frequently favor is promised by God and how much it is a part of His covenant with mankind.

I want each of you to believe this year for the favor you both need and desire from your relationships/interactions with God and people.

As you read through the quotes below, visualize the favor spoken of as being yours. Put your name into the quotes. Begin the year believing that you already have the favor of God and will grow in your favor with people, regardless of the circumstance. Continue throughout this year to believe and visualize that you are a person of favor and receive the favor that is yours!

I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. Le 26:9

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant…Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. Ne 1:11

You will arise and have compassion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. Ps 102:13

Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to him. Da 1:9

God says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, in the day of salvation I helped you.” Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2Co 6:2 [Remember the Hebrew term for salvation includes deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity, health, and welfare; the Greek term includes rescue, safety (physically or morally), preservation, healing, and soundness.]

…Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Ac 2:47

A good person obtains favor from the LORD. Pr 12:2

You will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Pr 3:4

…Proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor. Isa 61:2

For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Ps 5:12

He prays to God and finds favor with Him… he is restored by God… Job 33:26

…God’s favor lasts a lifetime. Ps 30:5

The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold… Ps 84:11

She won the favor of everyone who saw her. Es 2:15

Then he sought the LORD’s favor, and the LORD listened to him, for God saw how severely the king was oppressing them. 2Ki 13:4

The LORD was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favor. Ge 39:21

You have said, “I know you by name and you have found favor with Me.” Ex 33:12

And the boy continued to grow… in favor with the LORD and with men. 1Sa 2:26

May your life be filled with the abundance and peace God desires for you, containing all that is beautiful, best, bountiful, cheerful, good, joyful, loving, prosperous, and wealthy [Hebrew and Greek definitions of abundance], as well as existing in a state of safety, happiness, good health, friendship, rest, and wholeness so that all is well in your life [Hebrew and Greek definitions of peace].

May you be comforted from all past and present sorrows. May you receive compassion as freely as you have shown it. May all your fears be replaced with faith and peace. May you forgive those who have harmed you in the past so that you are released to reach your future goals and desires. May the greater understanding of God’s love for you which you have gained this year be used as an unshakeable basis for your self worth and foundation for your life. May all your relationships be healthy, rewarding, and free from resentment. May the voice of God be clear in your spirit so that your words and decisions flow from His wisdom, bringing healing and wholeness to every aspect of your life.

Have a very blessed and happy New Year!

Table of contents for Personal Power

1. Personal Power: Good or Evil Part 1
2. Personal Power: Good or Evil Part 2

(In Part 1, we discussed the motivation, validity, and purpose of power. In this post, we’ll cover pure power and power’s ultimate safeguard.)

The Proof of Pure Power

What then is the proof that someone is using power in a pure way, as opposed to a corrupt way? The proof is, first, in their lifestyle and, second, in the consistency of it. Is the person’s lifestyle replicating or reproducing the positive effects on humanity that the power of Jesus did? If so, is the person doing good with consistency as Jesus did?

Jesus made an outstanding statement regarding the opportunity for His power to work through us, but it is conditional.

I will do for you whatever you shall ask in My Name. If you really love Me, you will obey My commands. Jn. 14:14,15

God is willing to let His resurrection power work through us, doing whatever good we ask, as long as we truly love Him, which is shown by living in obedience to His commands. God’s commands are intended for the provision and protection of a happy, fulfilling, and effective life for each of mankind. Any desire, thought, or action that would violate an “abundant” life for yourself or another person would be in violation of God’s commands. Limitless power is not safe in the hands of someone who violates God’s principles; therefore, God makes the stipulation that His willingness to do whatever we ask is based on obedience to His type of lifestyle, one that provides and protects.

The commitment to using power to live in the same lifestyle as Jesus, having the same effects as Jesus on mankind, is in itself a safeguard over the use of power:

For God called you to do good…He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. 1 Pet.2:21

You must “follow in His steps” by following Jesus’ lifestyle example of doing good, not harm, of healing and restoring lives through the use of God’s power.

Power’s Ultimate Safeguard

Finally, the ultimate safeguard over a misuse or corruption of power is the law of love. A motivation of love for mankind is to be the ultimate, guiding principle for thoughts, words, and actions. That is why Jesus said that the greatest commandment is loving God and then mankind, that all the commands of God could be kept by obeying the guiding principle of love (Matt. 22:36-40).

Love is often defined by people in many different ways. However, Jesus made clear how He defines love:

Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-when they see the love you have for each other. Jn. 13:34

Living by a motivation of love means that one lives the same loving lifestyle that Jesus did, one that was healing and restoring to people’s lives, not destructive.

God desires His limitless resurrection power to flow through us, influencing the realm of each of our existence, just as Jesus did. As we follow His lifestyle through a motivation of love, we can see God’s power in and for us bringing phenomenal healing and restoration to our own lives, and the lives of those around us.

Table of contents for Personal Power

1. Personal Power: Good or Evil Part 1
2. Personal Power: Good or Evil Part 2

Many People are on a Search for Personal Power.

No one wants to feel helpless. It is not uncommon for people involved in searches for personal power. The validity of such a search or desire for power is often questioned. Everyone has seen situations in which power corrupts. One may wonder whether power can ever be good. In Part 1 of this post, we’ll answer that question, as well as motivations for power. In Part 2, we’ll define pure power and power’s ultimate safeguard.

The Validity of Power

There is a type of power that we are all to experience, a power that is to be influential in each of our realms of existence. Though this is revealed through several quotes, I’ll use the most direct one first.

I pray that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which God has called us…His immeasurable, unlimited, and surpassing power in and for us who believe. It is the same mighty power He used when He raised Christ from the dead. Eph. 1:18-20

This quote is by the apostle Paul, author of the majority of the New Testament and considered by theologians to be the greatest leader in the Early Church. His prayer was that each person would have a greater understanding (some translations “enlightened”) to know that the same immeasurable power that raised Jesus from the dead is a power that is “in” us and “for” us who believe in God. A limitless power that can return a dead, decaying body to life inside us, and for us to use, is beyond most people’s hope or expectations.

In another place, Paul speaks of his own personal search to know the resurrection power of God:

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. Phil. 3:10

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. 1 Cor. 2:4

If these quotes by the apostle Paul do not eliminate your doubts as to whether or not God intended us to have power, here are three quotes  from Jesus Himself.

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matt. 22:29

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions [referring to evil spiritual forces] and to overcome all the power of the enemy [satan]; nothing will harm you. Lk. 10:19

I have glorified You down here on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do…I have sent them into the world, just as You sent Me into the world. Jn. 17:4

In the first quote, Jesus was telling religious leaders that they were in doctrinal error due to a lack of knowledge in both the Scriptures and the power of God. In the next quote, Jesus expresses to His followers that His delegated power in them can overcome the spiritual powers of evil forces. It takes power to overcome power. Lastly, in John 17, Jesus is praying to Father God, saying that He completed the work He was supposed to do on earth and is sending people to do the same work that He did, “just as You sent Me…”

The Purpose of Power

The purpose that God intends for His limitless power, resurrection power, to be in us and for us, is in itself a type of safeguard, though we will discuss that in a moment. Power’s purpose is to continue doing for people what Jesus did for people while here on earth. Jesus said,

I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. Jn. 13:15

What was the whole course of Jesus’ public life? Healing all that were sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, forgiving sins, restoring ruined lives, healing broken hearts. (Lk. 4:36; 6:19; Acts 10:38; Matt. 4:24;15:30)

Even during his time of public travel, Jesus gave His power to those closest to Him and sent them out to do the same things He was doing. See here:

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. Lk. 9:1

They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Mk. 6:13

This is Part 1 of a 2-part post.  In Part 2, we will cover “The Proof of Pure Power” and “Power’s Ultimate Safeguard.”

Each of us have areas of our lives in which we need desperately change as well as those in which we greatly desire to see change. It may be in our personal relationships, career, health, spiritual life, or even projected retirement investments. Too often our frustration goes on for years due to one of the main points in the post on Reaching Success, “You have to follow through with a plan.”

Wishful thinking, as opposed to vision casting, will only lead to continued disappointment.

To put an end to the disappointment of a lack of change, one must first vision cast (Create a mental image of the changes you want as well as put them in print.) and then act. Wishful thinking will not accomplish anything. Be aware of how dangerous to your fulfilled life are thoughts such as:

I’ll work in this goal when I have more money.
I’ll make these changes when I have more time.
I’ll focus on this need when I have fewer distractions.
I’ll start exercising or eating right next week.

Though none of us would consider ourselves insane, it is beneficial to remember Eistein’s Definition of Insanity, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

To do what you have always done each day, the same life patterns, the same activities, the same thoughts, only allow for wishful thinking which leads to continued disappointment. The power to your fulfilled life, the power for reaching your dreams and goals, the power to seeing the various needs met in your life originates from Change!

If you fear change, work on re-creating a true perspective that change is positive. Every living thing changes! If there is not any change, there is either stagnation or death! You must make a decision to start acting now. No more procrastinating for whatever reasons you have been using.

We each want to “live life” to the fullest, and “life” involves change. Change is good! The power to “live life” to its fullest starts with Change.

Why do so many religions associate poverty with piety?

It is easy to see where the view of poverty and piety developed because any type of crisis usually causes a person to look for help from Someone greater than him or her self. This does not make the crisis good or “from God” just because you need someone else to help you. The religious connection between poverty and piety also came from people seeing people who were wealthy living in ways that were prideful, selfish, and abusive. However, wealth is not in itself evil or make people evil as there are many wealthy people in the world who spend their lives as philanthropists, using their wealth to help the needy.

A multitude of Scriptures show that God does not desire anyone to be poor.

Before you misunderstand that statement, remember that God is our perfect Father. Just as a loving parent would never wish poverty or any other crisis or harm on his or her child, neither does a loving God desire anything harmful on the people who are the focus of His unfailing love. Due to the corruption in the world from the fall of man, poverty can come to a person from so many sources — government corruption, natural disaster, economic collapse, mishandling of money, poor choices for education, or missed opportunities. The list is probably endless but, again, God clearly states that He does not desire His people to be poor. Since God desires everyone to seek after Him and know Him, to be “His people,” He does not desire anyone to be poor. Even with rebellious children, a loving parent does not wish them harm; they desire their repentance.

Here is a list of verses that reveal God’s perspective. A variety of translations are used. It is not a complete list, but gives the clear picture of God’s desire.

2Co 9:11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2Co 9:8 (Amplified) And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to me in abundance, so that I may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need, be self-sufficient — possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.
(Wand) And He is able to provide amply for my every need, so that I may not only have enough to satisfy every possible want of my own, but also may have plenty for any kind act to another.

De 15:6 For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none

Isa 61:6, 7 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion.

Ps 34:9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

Ps 35:27 (NAB) …The Lord be glorified; he wills my prosperity!

Isa 58:11 You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,

Joe 2:25 I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.

De 30:3 The LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you.

Jer 32:42 This is what the LORD says, “I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.”

Zep 3:20 “I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

Prov. 13:22 A sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Ps. 112:1,3 (NKJ) Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; wealth and riches will be in his house,

Rom. 12:10 (Translator’s) …His riches are available for all who call on him for help. (Johnson) The Lord who is over everyone will respond generously to anyone who requests his help.

1 Cor. 1:5 (Anderson) For He has made me rich in every way by every word He has spoken to me and all the knowledge He has given me,

Phil 4:19 (Anderson) And in His wonderful way my God will supply my every need from His limitless wealth, through Christ Jesus. (Jer.) In return my God will fulfill all my needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as only God can.

1 Tim 6:17 (Amplified) I set my hopes on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides me with everything for [my] enjoyment;

Related Post: Is Poverty Ever From God

Table of contents for God's View on Poverty

1. God’s View on Poverty Part 1

An often asked question by readers is, “Does God desire people to be poor?”

Scripture does address God’s view on poverty. Though I cannot cover all possible aspects of poverty in one post, I think this article will give you some clear answers.

God specifically mentions His watchful care over the poor.

It is important to realize that this is not a matter of favoritism, because God speaks against that and promises His unfailing love to all who seek Him, but a matter of special reassurance. The poor are often neglect or forgotten by the societies in which they live. Anyone who has been in poverty understands the struggles with the feeling of abandonment, hopelessness, and that there is no one who cares. Fully understanding a person’s circumstances, God specifically speaks to remind the poor that He cares, is paying attention, and is attentive to their requests for help.

Here are a few quotes in which God expresses His attentiveness to the poor:

Isa 41:17 The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Ex 22:22,23 Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.

De 15:4,7 However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you. If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.

1Sa 2:8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.

Ps 35:10 Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.

Ps 34:6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

It is important to remember that poverty was a result of the fall of mankind, not of God’s creation.

When God created the world and mankind, everything was perfect in form and function. Mankind did not lack anything good. It was only after mankind’s willful disobedience against God, referred to as “the fall of man,” did all the forms of corruption on the earth that we now see begin, such as poverty, disease, violence, etc. Why is an understanding of this timeline so crucially important? It reveals that poverty was not God’s plan or purpose for anyone. In spite of religious traditions which have developed through time that express poverty as a matter of piety or righteousness, God did not create mankind to lack any good thing. Lack came as a result of mankind violating the spiritual laws God set up to protect our lives from such things.

This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Post.  In Part 2 of this post, we’ll discuss how some of the religious traditions linking poverty to piety came into existence, why God’s nature/character does not desire poverty, and God’s promises in Scripture for a better life.