THIS YEAR

The Challenge  3 John 1-3 – the Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things & be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came & testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

The Goal  Rom 8:29 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The Method  1 Tim 4:7-8 – Reject profane & old wives’ fables, & exercise yourself toward godliness [Phillip’s translation: “Take the time & trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit.”]. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is & of that…to come.

GIVE GOD YOUR TIME - FIRST  Jer 15:16 – Your words were found, & I ate them, & Your word was to me the joy & rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts..

GIVE GOD YOUR TIME - FIRST  Psa 1:1-3 – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, & in His law he meditates day & night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; & whatever he does shall prosper.

GIVE GOD YOUR TIME - FIRST  Mark 1:34-35 – Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, & cast out many demons…. 35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out & departed to a solitary; & there He prayed. [Luke 5:16, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places & prayed”];

GIVE GOD YOUR TIME - FIRST  Dan 6:10, 13 – Daniel gave three portions of his day to prayer, even when threatened with death.

GIVE GOD YOUR TIME - FIRST  John 15:4 – [Jesus] Abide in Me, & I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

GIVE GOD YOUR POSSESSIONS - FIRST  Matt 6:19-21 – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth & rust destroy & where thieves break in & steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven….21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

GIVE GOD YOUR POSSESSIONS - FIRST  Heb 13:15-16 – Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good & to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

GIVE GOD YOUR POSSESSIONS - FIRST  1 Cor 16:2 – On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

GIVE GOD YOUR POSSESSIONS - FIRST  2 Cor 9:6-7 – But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, & he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (cf. 1 Tim 6:17-19).

GIVE GOD YOUR RELATIONSHIPS - FIRST  Heb 10:24-25 – And let us consider one another in order to stir up love & good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, & so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

GIVE GOD YOUR RELATIONSHIPS - FIRST  Acts 2:44-46 – Now all who believed were together, & had all things in common, 45 & sold their possessions & goods, & divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, & breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness & simplicity of heart.

May “new” habits become “regular” habits.