BOLD BELIEF

It's a new year and I am sure you are like me and have read all about what everyone is going to plan on doing in 2012.  I have read a few different blogs, and have been overcome with how pathetic and stereotypical my resolutions have been.  I mean, I have had run through my mind, "I want to be a better husband, I want to be better at spending time in my devotions, I want to dream big, I want to lose weight and so on."  While I will never set back and claim to be the most spiritual person you have ever met, there are times that I am just thrown back by something I read.  This week as I read my devotions was one of those moments.  As I read through Luke chapter 3, 4 and 5 I found my 2012 resolutions.

RESOLUTION #1: I want to Catch Gods Eye


There were 3 things that God noticed in Noah.  It says that "Noah was different and God liked what He saw in Noah."  So I thought, 'Does God like what he sees in me?'  In 2012 I want to be different.  The 3 things, (and I am sure there are more), that God saw in Noah were:

• He was a Good Man
• He was a man of Integrity in the community
• He walked with God

As 2012 kicks off, I want to catch Gods eye by doing these three things.  Not just at home for my wife to see and give me a pat on the back.  I want to Catch Gods Eye in ministry, when building houses, when sending an email....This is getting BIG and I only hope that I can live up to the challenge!

RESOLUTION #2: I want to Serve Him With Single-heartedness

As satan tempted Jesus prior to his official start in ministry, there were 3 area's that he tempted him in.  satan tempted Jesus with food when he was hungry, with power over the angels and with wealth over all the land.  What man wouldn't be appealed by all 3.  But there is a haunting phrase that got me, 'Serve Him (God) with ABSOLUTE SINGLE-HEARTEDNESS.' (emphasis mine).  The word absolute is a strong word that scares me half to death.  It means, 'for real, definite, 100%, not kidding.'  While I know that I will screw this up (already have), I hope to have laser focused service toward God and towards those I come in contact with.

RESOLUTION #3: I want to have Bold Belief

This one knocked my socks off today as I read.  There are a handful or people that Jesus comes into contact with and the statements made FREAK ME OUT!  Here are the phrases I noticed, maybe you'll get the picture.

• Peter- "But if you say so, I'll let out my nets."
• Leper- "If you want to, you can cleanse me."
• Paraplegic's friends- Jesus was 'Impressed by their bold belief.'
• Healed Paraplegic- "Without a moments notice he did it--got up, took his blanket and left for home"
• Levi- Walked away from everything and went with him.

While there is a bunch of dialogue running through my head still, this one scares me the most.  I doubt.  I ask questions. I worry.  I ask 'What if?' I interject the word 'but...'  When the budget doesn't come to a zero balance, I freak out.  When there is a "surprise bill" we forgot about. When I am asked to come talk about what it is I do, I feel inadequate.  In 2012, I hope to have BOLD BELIEF....yeah!  It totally freaks me out!

I think that my personal (and professional) theme for the year will be BOLD BELIEF!