A NEW YEAR

 

NEWS YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS OR A LIFETIME OF RESOLUTION:

Once again we enter a new year.  I’ve belonged to a gym for 25 years and each January the crowd at the gym increases noticeably as people follow through on new-year’s resolutions to lose weight and get in shape.  After a couple months the crowds decline and the faithful few continue their exercise routines.  I discovered along the way that I achieve more lasting results when I set long term objectives and design a sustainable pace of activity to achieve them.  Trying to go to the gym 3-4 times a week proved to be unsustainable for me.  So, I settled in on a plan to go at least twice a week and throw in two or three long walks (which used to be runs, but that day is past). 

A sustainable life-plan can be a valuable tool to keep oneself on track.  If you haven’t already, I recommend you put in writing your life mission statement.  Then shape a sustainable life style to achieve the mission.  Several years ago I wrote a life mission statement which I carry with me and review from time to time.  It has proven to be a valuable tool to help me stay on course.  I rarely share it, but here goes:

It is my mission in life to honor God:

To keep faith in the bible as God’s word, and in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.
To nurture my relationship with God and live in vital union with Him.
To love God with all my strength.
To live a holy life, by His help and grace.
To be a man of integrity in every area of life.
To fulfill His purpose for my life.

It is my mission in life to care for my family:

To always be thankful for every member of my family.
To love and enjoy my family.
To help each member to know the Lord and become the best they can be in Him.
To provide an example to follow.
To provide spiritual, emotional, and financial support for my wife Loretta.
To remain faithful to Loretta

It is my mission in life to do God’s will:

To rely on His strength to obey.
To conform my will to His.
To not shrink back from what He calls me to do.
To finish my life well.

It is my mission in life to live in God’s grace:

To not allow my failure or the failure of others to move me away from Him.
To fully trust Him to enable me to be and do what He desires, yet to rest in the assurance of His unconditional love.

It is my mission in life to impart life to others:

To be a giver, not a taker.
To share Jesus Christ effectively to whomever I can.
To reveal the wisdom of following Christ.
To live in the Spirit.

It is my mission in life to co-labor with Christ to build His church:

To love the church.
To work to the benefit of the church, as the Lord directs.

It is my mission in life to live in personal well-being except when God requires otherwise:

To earn income and manage it well.
To faithfully give of my finances.
To maintain good health as much as I can.
To live in right relationships with others.
To experience peace of mind.
To keep learning and growing.
To enjoy life and live it fully.
To live my life without any significant regrets.

It is my mission in life to leave a legacy that will honor God and inspire others to follow Christ:

To hear Jesus say “Well done good and faithful servant” at the end of my life’s journey.

PROGRESS IN 2012 AND LOOKING AHEAD:

I am excited to report that 17 new churches were planted or recognized in the Rocky Mountain District in 2012. Two of the 17 are new District Affiliated churches and 15 are Parent Affiliated Churches; 5 are in Utah and 12 in Colorado.  In addition, one was planted in Colorado in partnership with the RMD by a church in Louisiana.  We also closed two churches giving us a total of 164 churches in Utah and Colorado (165 if you count the church from LA).  Only one other AG district planted more churches in 2012 and they are serving a much larger population. 

It is important to keep our mission clear.  Our purpose is to disciple as many people to the Lord Jesus Christ as possible in Colorado and Utah.  Our method is flourishing local churches and outreach ministries.  Our key component is anointed, godly, effective ministers.  And, the foundation on which we build is the Lord Jesus Christ – His person, His work, His truth, His providence, and His empowering Spirit.

There is much we do not know about 2013, but we do know this; God desires that none perish, He is working to draw men and women to Himself, He will build His church, and we are called to participate in His grand cause.  I pray you experience God’s direction and enablement to live His abundant life, and employ His ministry plan uniquely designed for you in the coming year.  I also pray we will all embrace the expansive heart of God to support and release the ministry family He has called so that together we can disciple as many as possible to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“What, after all is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task.  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow … The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.  For we are God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field, God’s Building.

By the grace God has given to me (Paul), I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it.  But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 3:5-11).