This is the Year

Today’s Reading: Luke 14:28-33; Psalm 127

WHAT IF THIS IS THE YEAR THAT WE FINISH WHAT WE STARTED?

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’” – Luke 14:28-30

I have been seeking the Lord all weekend, asking him to show me what He wants me to do and what He wants me to learn this year. I am a goal setter, so this is the time of the year when I really lean into my purpose and how it fits into God’s plan. I will develop a long list of goals and spend time organizing my strategies for reaching those goals. My goals will range from weight loss to a reading list, from personal growth to professional development. Intentionality and time management will be two of my greatest resources, but it means nothing if I do not seek the Lord’s plans for 2024.

I have learned over the years that I can be my own worst enemy when it comes to goal setting. I have a tendency to set my goals too high or make my timeline too short. This passage in Luke has been a great reminder to me this weekend that I need to consider my resources, that I need to count the cost. How I start this year will greatly affect how I finish.

“Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” – Luke 14:31-33

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I GIVE EVERYTHING TO THE LORD BEFORE I START THIS NEXT LIFE CHAPTER.

2023 was the year of embracing God’s directions for me to stay light on my feet. This year we sold or gave away most of our earthly possessions. We let go of some things we realized we did not need, things that no longer held a purpose in our lives. But even with this clearing the Lord called us to, I still must ask myself this morning if I am holding anything back from God. I need to examine my heart to see if I am motivated by pride, fear or unforgiveness? This morning the Lord is calling me to again strip off every weight that will slow me down, especially any sin that is bound to easily trip me as I run the race God has set before me (Hebrews 12:1).

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – Philippians 2:3-4

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I ASK THE LORD TO EQUIP ME WITH EVERYTHING I NEED FOR THIS YEAR AHEAD — COURAGE, ENDURANCE, PERSEVERANCE, WISDOM, STRENGTH AND ESPECIALLY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. – James 1:5-8

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! – Galatians 5:22-23

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
– Proverbs 21:5

But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. – 2 Chronicles 15:7

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I BUILD THE HOUSE THE LORD IS CALLING ME TO BUILD, AND THAT I DO SO WITH THE LORD’S HELP.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
– Psalm 127:1

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:8-10

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2

THIS YEAR IS ABOUT BEING AVAILABLE TO DO WHATEVER GOD WANTS TO DO THROUGH ME.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. – Colossians 3:23-24

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Thank you so much for joining me each morning in 2023 as we have read the scriptures together and sought the Lord’s understanding. I am looking forward to starting back at the beginning tomorrow. I invite you to join me for another 2-year journey through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.