Living in 2011

As a new year comes in, we often make a long list of things we want to change — lose weight, exercise more, spend less money, read the Bible more, be a better person — and the lists keep going and going.

Last week at Youth Alive, we watched a small snippet of a skit by the Skit Guys about the New Year and the last line was “This year stop listing and start living.”

So over the last few days I’ve been thinking about the New Year. This morning I was studying my Sunday school lesson and it was about the consequences Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) faced because he didn’t make wise decisions.

As I was thinking about this lesson, James 1: 5 & 6 came to my mind: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

That’s when it hit me – this year I am challenging myself to read through the Bible and in doing so I am praying that I will learn to seek God’s wisdom in every decision that I make — from the smallest day-to-day tasks to the larger life changing choices!

I want to learn to ask in true faith, believing that what I am asking God will answer — maybe not in the way I think – but always in the best way for me. When I do this, then I will truly be living!!!

Memory Verse:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
– James 1:5-6 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt
“Dear Heavenly Father, today as we start 2011, I am not going to make a list of resolutions. Instead, I am asking You for wisdom in my life – wisdom in knowing what Your plan is for me this year — wisdom to trust You with every detail in my life. I am asking this with all the faith I have, believing that You will answer and guide my every step I take. My life is Yours and today I pray that the life I live I will truly live by the faith of You, Jesus, the one who loved me and gave all You had for me….”

Contributing Writer:
Tonya Whitehurst