New Year – New Direction What is your new year plan/direction? Are you going to give up some bad habits or to develop new good ones or to change your life style? Eph. 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Time is Limited V. 15a “Be very careful, then, how you live” Psalm 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who decide how you and I spend our time?

Use Time Wisely verse 15b “not as unwise but as wise” Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Prov. 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Prov. 1:29-31 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and…my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom

Prioritise Time/Opportunity verse 16 “Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Prov. 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Who/what is most important in my life?

Understand/Do the Lord’s Will verse 17 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Eph. 5:18-21 Do not get drunk,… Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to …with psalms, …songs. Sing …… to Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of rev. for Christ. John 8:19 …Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also.“ John 14:6-7 Jesus ans., "I’m the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you knew me, you know my Father also. Now, you do know him and have seen him."

Understand/Do the Lord’s Will (Cont.) John 15:9-10 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. Matt. 22:37 Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matt. 22:39 And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Understand/Do the Lord’s Will (Cont.) Matt. 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Rom. 13:11-12 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Conclusion & Response Are you like Martha or Mary? Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.“ Are you like Martha or Mary? We need to be like Mary……