I will not sit in my living room all day in my nightdress

I will not sit in my living room all day in my nightdress Instead, I will move my computer into the bedroom

I will no longer waste my time reliving the past

I will no longer waste my time reliving the past Instead I will spend it worrying about the future

I will not bore my boss with the same old excuses for taking leaves

I will not bore my boss with the same old excuses for taking leaves I will think of some more excuses

I will do less laundry and use more deodorant

Keep it to myself that I have trouble with authority when I'm being interviewed

Start smoking to lose weight

How Long Do They Last?

Becoming (What God has called you to be)

God created "New"

God created "New" - New Week

God created "New" - "Mercies are new every morning"

God created "New" - "New Creation"

God created "New" - Jubilee

And yet…NY Resolutions Don't Last And yet…NY Resolutions Don't Last

And yet…NY Resolutions Don't Last If you show What God did not grow It won't last And yet…NY Resolutions Don't Last If you show What God did not grow It won't last

Resolutions Don't Last Only if you're showing What God is growing Will it become permanent

The Problem with Resolutions - Desires - Self-Control

…walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Our Natural Inclination is to create Laws to protect us from our sin But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch…" These have indeed an appearance of wisdom…

…but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh …but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh

- They don't change the heart - They rely on human self-control …but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh

Desire and Self-Control: The Rules don't work! …but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh - Col. 2:21-23

If you show What God did not grow It won't last

Choice: - God's leading or - Our Rules But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law

Works of the Flesh: - Immorality/Addiction/ No Self-Control - Serving False Gods and Superstitions - Causing trouble in relationships

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God - vs. 21

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… You want this!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… You want this! Why aren't you fully this right now?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Marriage/Relationships - "Pastor, I want him/her to be…"

If you show What God did not grow It won't last

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Marriage/Relationships - I'm gonna start…

If you show What God did not grow It won't last

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Fruit is the result Not the objective

It's not about deciding to be And working hard for it …against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires - Galatians 5:16-24

We follow a God Who sacrificed his life for us And calls us to crucify our desires So we can experience his best In our lives

The key to becoming What you need Is found in seeking God For who you were created to be

They tragedy Is not an unsuccessful life But one that is wildly successful In that which does not matter

Test Resolutions - Is it what I want for me or What God wants for me? - "Guilted into" vs. I believe God wants for me - Ask God to change my desires

The fruit of the Spirit is… Fruit is the result Not the objective The difference: Seeking what God can give us vs. Seeking God

I'm gonna be…so I'll… God created me to be… So I'll yield to him

If you show What God did not grow It won't last

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. "Love, joy, peace, patience…" Come from connection to Jesus

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Connection= new Desires Answered Prayer If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples When you see fruit You have evidence of discipleship And God is glorified

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you - John 15:4-5, 7-13

When I stand opposed to hating people, gossiping, slander, division, putting myself first, building my own kindgom, feeding my ego… I evidence the love that comes from discipleship

When I seek: Their best interests Even if I have to sacrifice And they don't deserve it I evidence the love that comes from discipleship

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you

Fruit is the Result of Connecting to Jesus Jesus is the Objective

Connecting to God: - Produces Fruit of the Spirit - Glorifies God - Demonstrates Discipleship - Changes Desires/Answered Prayer

How Do I Connect? - Practice the Presence of God

How Do I Connect? - Specific, Focused Times with God (Scriptures, Prayer, Worship, Authentic Fellowship)

How Do I Connect? - His Power and Wisdom Instead of my own

How Do I Connect? - Love for People

If you show What God did not grow It won't last

As you do the very thing That makes you a disciple God blesses you with the Fruit That makes you Who he created you to be

Connecting to Jesus: Changed Desires The Fruit that Results: Self-Control Leads to: A Changed Life for God's Glory

Make sure you're connected To Jesus and not beliefs Or religion

Intentionally Connect Scriptures, Prayer Fellowship, Worship

Ask God to help you Serve in Love Like Christ served us

As a church Our goal is Jesus. Just. Jesus. Everything revolves around that Or else it doesn't belong

Chinese Bamboo 4 Years…almost nothing

Chinese Bamboo 4 Years…almost nothing 5 th Year…80 Feet