*Goals Better than Resolutions*

Consider setting goals instead of making New Year´s resolutions. Unlike resolutions, goals are an ongoing thing, so if you fail January 1 or 2 to reach your goal, you still have 363 days to keep working toward -- and to reach -- your objective.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.." Philip. 3:13

*Guidelines 9 and 10*

When in doubt about doing something, answer these questions:

* Can you thank God for it? "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." I Thess. 4:18.

* Would you want Jesus to see you doing this? "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings." Job 34:21.

It All Adds Up!

Our choices today determine our tomorrows. Someone has said, "What you are today, you were becoming yesterday. Today you are becoming what you will be tomorrow." Joshua gave this challenge to the Israelites: "If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) Even if you made wrong decisions in the past, you can begin now to make the right ones. Remember, It all adds up!

*Guidelines 5 and 6*

Here are some guidelines to test whether a thing is right or wrong:

* Do you deep down feel as if it might be wrong? If in doubt, don´t! "Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:22,23.

* Does it edify others, or only self? Will it hurt others? "...Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Phil. 2:3-4. "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." Rom. 14:7.

Verses on Temptation

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Cor. 10:13

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

Why Christians Suffer

The following thoughts on why God allows suffering in the lives of His children are from the BBN Voice, March 2003 issue.

1. God often allows suffering to make us stronger for tasks that lay ahead of us.

2. Suffering is often used to bring a backslidden Christian back into the arms of Jesus.

3. Job 33:27-33 tells us that God uses suffering at times to keep His people from sin.

4. When we suffer, it allows the Holy Spirit, the great Comforter, to comfort us in our time of need.

5. Those who have suffered and come through it have the opportunity to share with others the faithfulness and grace of God in their lives.

6. Even Jesus learned obedience to His Father through the suffering of the Cross. (Heb. 5:8-9)

Failures -- or Only Setbacks?

"According to Tulane University business professor Lisa Amos, entrepreneurs fail in an average of 3.8 business ventures before they finally make it. The successful ones aren´t deterred by mistakes or adversity because they don´t see setbacks as failures. They recognize that three steps forward and two steps back still equals one step forward…." (John Maxwell, 1Leadership Wired, January 2000.) The same is true in the spiritual realm: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9

Life´s Lousy; Why Be Thankful?

When life turns lousy, why be thankful? There are many reasons -- for the basics of life: food, shelter, family, friends and the other usual things we think of at the Thanksgiving season. But God´s children can be thankful that no matter what happens, we have no reason to worry about nor fear the future! God is still in control, and as His child, no matter how rough life gets, He will always see us through it. Even death itself can`t conquer the soul, for He has promised we will be with Him at the instant of death. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." II Cor. 5:6

Points to Remember

When planning goals, remember these guidelines: 1.Know what you want to accomplish; 2. Decide on a plan; 3. Write it Down; 4. Break it into smaller steps; 5. Focus toward the outcome, and remind yourself often why you need to accomplish this; 6. Write down your progress periodically so you can visually see your accomplishments.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Billy Graham Quote

"Through the years I have learned to use three guidelines to face temptation: involve others in my decisions; search the Scriptures for God`s perspective on the issue I am facing; and pray for God`s help to make His decision." -- Rev. Billy Graham

Focus on Jesus

When confronted with temptation, try to focus on the goodness of Jesus. This is much easier to do than to debate giving in to the temptation. --submitted by TheologLC

Life´s Garden Harvest

Our choices today determine our tomorrows. You can`t be a grouch most of your life, then expect to suddenly turn into a sweetheart when you´re old. Paul said, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal.6:7 Pick and sow carefully, for you always get back more than what was sown. If you sow good seed, the fruit you harvest will be bountiful and sweet indeed!

*Guidelines 3 and 4*

When the Bible doesn´t mention a specific thing, how do you decide whether it is a sin? Here are some guidelines to test borderline issues:

* How would you feel if Christ came back while you were doing this? "Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. 24:44.

* What do the best Christians you know think about it? "Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14. The BEST counsel is the Word of God. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11.)

E-Mail Etiquette

Christians should always be polite, even in e-mails. :o) Here are humorous tips to help you remember:

* PLEASE DON´T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. IT´S HARD TO READ AND IS THE EQUIVALENT TO SHOUTING. I know, some of you think it´s easier to read, but I don´t make the rules, I´m just tellin´ ya about them.
* use punctuation its hard to read stuff that doesnt have any commas capital letters periods or apostrophes
* Usee yur spall chacker. Its annyang to try to reede constent spalling misstakes.
(Tip Source: Steve, WorldStart. For more tips, visit:
http://www.worldstart.com/guides/emailetiquette.htm)

Don´t Add Fuel

How can we keep from participating in gossip? One way is to refrain from adding comments. It`s hard not to, but DON`T. (The muck stops here!)

"Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." Pro. 26:20

I´m In the Mood For ...

How do you get over a bad mood? Take action, maybe clean a closet? Yell at your kids? Call a friend? Confess it and ask God to change your thinking? Or do you cling to your mood so you can enjoy your misery?

You can "think" yourself out of a bad mood and into a good one! The Bible says, "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7 The next time you get down in the dumps, ask yourself, "What have I been thinking on today?" More importantly, "What do I choose to think on now?"

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8

Saying Yes but Meaning No

Sometimes we are happy to do someone a favor; other times we`d rather not. The person asking your help may not realize the pressure the request will put on you. Another may not care as long as his or her own goal is accomplished. This is when you MUST communicate your real feelings. Saying "no" just might be best for BOTH of you. For example, allowing someone to habitually borrow from you while never repaying is NOT good for the borrower nor yourself.

"Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification." Romans 15:2

Repeat -- or Repeat Not?

To gossip or not to gossip? Remember, some things shouldn`t be repeated at all.

"A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter." Pro. 11:13 4

6 Months After 9/11

Six Months After 9/11 -- To see the best of the Crosswalk.com archived coverage of 9/11, go to the following link page. (Note: This is a long link. When copying and pasting into your browser, make sure to delete any spaces that may have occurred in the process.) If the first link doesn´t work, try the second. Lots of clickable links at this site to articles to help with anger, grief, suffering, etc.

http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A3.28.5261.8.451757

http://crosswalk.com/CC_Content_Page/0%2C%2CPTID70668%7CCHID404182%7CCIID%2C00.html