1. Happy new year!

4. We often confuse a resolution with a wish.
Resolution requires a change – which most of us hate!

5. Let’s think of anchors…

6. The Independent

7. Matthew 7:
24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew & beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

8. Matthew 7:
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

9. Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice… v24
How do we ensure we have good foundations…

10. Packing the car syndrome…

12. What are we looking for?

13. Different bits of our life all vying for attention
Different bits of our life all vying for attention. We long for order and purpose… We become distracted, torn, unfulfilled and anxious. Then fearful, needy and controlling.

14. Jesus speaks very clearly to this condition
Jesus speaks very clearly to this condition. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

15. Challenge from Jesus for us to prioritise our lives better.
Who and what gets the best of us?
Priority determines capacity.
If we prioritise well, everything will fit in.
This is practical
This is spiritual
This is emotional

16. Put the important things in first

17. John 7: 37- 8 Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink
John 7: Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.

18. Truth one:
Jesus gives us what we need.
Peace about our past
Joy in the present
Hope for our preferred future

19. We don’t experience these things by aiming directly at them.
We aim at Jesus.
These things are by-products of seeking first his Kingdom.

20. Truth Two: Rivers of living water flow through us
Truth Two: Rivers of living water flow through us. John 15: 9 – 11 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Come to me; I will give you what you need. You will have complete joy. How does knowing we are completely loved by God change us?

21. The life Jesus offers overwhelms every other pressure of life.
We can live life out of overflow rather than desperation.
How different would life be if we responded to every pressure from this place of peace?
Freely confess sin
No pretence; No anger
No need to be in control
Free to rest

22. Step by step.
Small decisions; big impact.
We don’t drift into a great life with God.
We make an internal investment in our life with God. Things shift.

23. We yield to God. Wherever we’re experiencing – we yield.

24. Let’s pray