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January 7, 2007
"A New Plan for A New Year"
Back to the Basics—Part 1
Selected Scriptures
I am making everything new!
—Revelation 21:5
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
—Psalm 90:12
You need a plan!
Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
—Proverbs 21:5 (MSG)
Question: What is the number one thing you need to plan for this year?
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
—1 Timothy 4:8
Definition: Godliness means more than religious profession and a godly conduct; it also means the reality and power of a vital union with God.
1. You need a plan to connect with God.
Question: How do you connect with God?
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
—James 4:8
Be still, and know that I am God.
—Psalm 46:10
...listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.
—Job 33:33
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
—Jeremiah 33:3
My plan to connect with God is:
2. You need a plan to connect with your family.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...
—Ephesians 5:21, 22, 25
Live happily with the woman you love through the fleeting days of life, for the wife God gives you is your best reward down here for all your earthly toil.
—Ecclesiastes 9:9 (TLB)
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
—1 Peter 3:7
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
—Deuteronomy 6:5-9
My plan to connect with my family is:
3. You need a plan to connect with God's people.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
—Hebrews 10:25
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
—Galatians 5:13
My plan to connect with God's people is:
Lifework
Here are some ideas for planning for your new year:
- Make a commitment to a regular time with God.
(Ask someone to hold you accountable.) - Let someone pray for you. Our Prayer Partners are ready.
- Plan to attend the Family Communion as a family.
- Plan to attend the Free Museum Day in Sacramento.
(First Saturday in February) - Commit to a date night with your wife at least once a month.
- Sign up for Class 101 and consider becoming a member.
(Next class: January 21) - Sign up for Class 301, when offered, and find a place to serve.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self- control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—2 Peter 1:3-8