January 7 – WHAT HE SAID

If you really love me, you will learn, hold onto, honor, and keep obeying what I command. (John 14:15)

                What are your big, religious rules? Go to church? Watch your language? Give money? Join a Bible study? Maybe you even lead a fight either for some moral cause or against some sinful action.

                Jesus says, repeatedly, that you show your love for Him by doing what He says to do. Someone has compiled a list of forty-nine (49) commands that Jesus issued. Have you learned these? Do you measure your life based on them? Many people have observed that you become what you focus on; what you love. Those who focus on other things, like rules, or the cost of obeying God’s calling, can’t follow Jesus with all their hearts (Proverbs 23:7).

                It is so clever that Jesus reveals - it is by valuing His instruction to you (and by following it), that you find a loving relationship with Him, and it also is how you show Him your love.

January 6 – FOCUS

God your Father knows your needs. Keep your focus on Him; His concerns, your relationship with Him, and what He wants from you, and you will find that all those needs are provided. (Matthew 6:32-34)

                When it is crunch time, do the people who watch you see you respond with a cool, optimistic confidence? When you focus on worries, you communicate that fear lives inside you, and a fearful leader heads a fearful organization.

                The opposite of that fearfulness is what Jesus urges. He encourages you to, “Dream God’s big, kingdom dreams for you and your people. Step out, and do what I ask of you - His concerns - in faith!” And, He says, “Realize that you always have time to spend with Me!” Your relationship with Him is always top priority. With this priority as your focus, you don’t fear some dreaded failure. The results are not your concern – only Jesus and obeying Him.

                This is the step of faith; that you take Jesus at His word, and have only one plan. Focus on Him.

January 5 – TOO MUCH? TOO LITTLE?

I have lived without what I need in humility, and I have lived with excess provision and great esteem. Through all of this, Christ has taught and strengthened me, so I focus only on Him, regardless of my situation. (Philippians 4:12-13)

                Today, do you face a challenge of “needing?” Many have taken Paul’s words to be an encouragement to be strong in tough times. On the other hand, you may have found living with wealth and power, especially among those who admire you, is the greater challenge to your faith in Christ alone.

                Paul says he has learned that each of these extremes, as well as the drudgery of routine, day-to-day living in between, pose challenges to your ability to live the life Jesus wants you to enjoy. This message does encourage. It also gives you an answer for all when life’s circumstances threaten to distract you. Focus only on Jesus.

Keep your focus on Jesus Christ, and you will be up to any challenge that comes. Whether you have too much or too little, Jesus will always be exactly enough.

January 4 - AFTER “COME”?

Come here, follow me now, and I will make you become fishers of people. (Matthew 4:19)

What is your product or service? How do you figure your bottom-line? For many people, success is measured by dollars or percentages, growth in square feet, or in numbers of people. There is usually some list of objectives or measurements that informs the work of a successful organization. Some call this management by objectives.

                Jesus introduced a new concept to Simon and Andrew. He replaced their objectives with a new process – “Follow me.” He changed their product and their bottom line too. Most importantly Jesus assumes responsibility for that new bottom line. Wow, what a relief! Finally, though, there is a cost; a price you pay for this new deal. You must give up your objectives, and simply obey Jesus.

                Are you willing to “drop your net” – your goals, your process, your measurements – and follow Jesus? Will you manage your life by simple obedience?

January 3 – A SIMPLE PROMISE

Come to me if you are laboring and weighed down with burdens, and I will give you the rest that refreshes you. (Matthew 11:28)

                Do you ever get weary, and sometimes even feel overwhelmed? Not the public you, of course. Rather, the private one who longs to find a place to simply be at peace for a moment.

                This is a great promise! It reminds that God offers you real life – an incredible, full life He intends for you to enjoy. Jesus’ next words in this passage promise that He will replace your toiling and burdened life with something better – His work. This is what God intended. He also promises that this work will fit you. It will allow you to be who you were made to be, while living a life of freedom and peace and purpose.

                You can act on these promises today. Trade in your self-reliant anxiety and fears. Take this life Jesus offers. All you must do is, “Come.”

January 2 – NEW LIFE

The work of the thief is that he takes away from you; kills and destroys everything. I came to give you full, complete, unending life; a better life than you can imagine. (John 10:10)

Is your faith about dos and don’ts? Is following rules at the foundation of your hope? Or, do you work hard trying to do enough good deeds to accomplish God’s favor?

With this message, Jesus offers a new relationship. He offers to give you a great life, simply because that’s who He is. It is His work to change your life to one of purpose and meaning. Your work is to invite the Holy Spirit to make that change. Immediately before this assurance, Jesus explains, “I am the source – all the other roads lead to the thieves.”

To find this “full and complete” life, you learn to hear God’s voice and follow Him, closely. Follow closely enough that no thief can take you away.

January 1 – ONLY ONE HOPE

We are holding back nothing, putting everything we have and everything we are on our Hope. That Hope is Jesus, and our trust is that He is the answer to what each of us need in our lives. That’s the reason we follow Him so closely each day. (I Timothy 4:10)

Is Jesus really your hope? Or, is it your wits, your management team, your process, and your effort that you count on when it comes down to stressful times?

Paul tells Timothy here that he has made a basic, bottom-line decision; “Jesus is going to be my answer!” Notice too, the way he makes Jesus his answer. Paul says that he follows closely. That gives him opportunity for constant conversation, constant questions, and the chance for Jesus to give (and be) the answer to each situation.

Resolve now only one thing; that each day this year will begin with an affirmation that Jesus is the hope for you, your family, your church, your people, and all the rest of your life.