New Year's Resolutions from the Heart of God

I have heard many different New Year's messages by ministers trying to motivate individuals and congregations to make changes in their lives as they begin a new year. Many encourage members to to do more, serve more and give more. This of course is what we need to do, but yesterday I heard one of the best messages from Mark 12:28-34. The primary thing we need to do in 2011 is prioritize people. We get so caught up in ME being the focus of everything in life, we need to shift that focus to OTHERS. That is sometimes difficult and uncomfortable to do.

We were challenged to ask four questions of ourselves in 2011:

1. How am I engaging the culture and people around me?

We must have an intentional focus on people each day. When we wake up each day we need to have the goal of being sensitive to the needs of others.

2. Who have I encountered recently who needs help in starting a spiritual journey with God?

We only need to be willing and ready; God is always able to help s encounter people He wants us to bless.

3. How have I embraced the people God has brought into my sphere of influence with friendship and love?

We must live out the message in our lives. If you live out the message people will approach you.

4. What am I intentionally doing to help them advance in their journey toward God?

Our responsibility is not to convert people; our task is to help them get on a path where God and His Spirit are able to touch hearts and bring them into relationship with Himself.

The early church were a community of faith empowered by the Holy Spirit that turned their world upside down by loving God and loving people.

If we refocus on others in 2011, we really could make a drastic change in this world and in the lives of many around us.