New Year resolutions will work—if you’re aligned with God!

The gap between Christmas and the New Year is generally when people plan life improvements for the next 365 days. This past Sunday LECC Associate Minister Bo Banfield delivered a rousing sermon on how to accomplish the resolutions we make with good intentions, but generally keep for a very short time.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3). “Roll out our plans to God, align our hearts to Him, and if it’s His will, it’ll happen,” Banfield asserted with confidence. “But if we try to do it all without God, we’re asking for trouble.”

Psalm 127:1 supports that point of view. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Those were the words of Solomon, known for his wisdom.

“Speed doesn’t replace surrender,” Banfield said. Ask yourself, Where is your heart posture today? Are you working hard at something without really having your heart in it— and your heart aligned with God?

“Surrender must come before chores,” Banfield said, using as proof the story of Martha, intent on serving Jesus, and Mary, content to sit at His feet and listen to him. Luke 10:4142: “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

We too can choose the good portion and set our troubles before God to resolve. “He’ll do it,” Banfield said, “but you’ve got to bring it to Him.” Ask yourself what God might be inviting you to lay down before showing you what’s next?

Are you worried about your mortgage? Your love life? Your job? Bad influences on your children? Your aging parents? Global unrest? Politics? Declining morality?

Turn all those worries over to God.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29: 13-14) “Wholehearted seeking brings clarity,” Banfield said. “When the heart is aligned, God listens. We need continual dependence, not just occasional communication with our Lord.”

How can you achieve proper alignment with God?

“Start by reading John 11 slowly once a day,” Banfield suggested. It is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, causing Caiaphas—high priest of the Pharisees— to set into motion a plan to kill Jesus.

Along with your daily reading, fast from a restriction that has prevented your total alignment with God. Simply give it up! Replace it with daily prayer and regular church attendance.

If you don’t already have a church, visit LECC at 415897 Highway 9 in Eufaula—small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night all-age activities. Spend time with a welcoming congregation also working for alignment while pursuing New Year resolutions.