More Jesus in 2013

You have been given a clean slate.
What will you write on it this year?

It's the new year: 2013!

   A clean slate.
    A new story to write.
     New expectations.
      New visions.
       New...everything.

   There is new rocks left overturned. There are new destinies to be explored. There are new destinations to be reached. There are new mountains to climb. You have been given the gift a new start.

   The new year excites me. I love for things to be clean and organized. I think better when there isn't any clutter (like when my bedroom is finally organized!). So I love the new year. I can finally think clearly about what is coming up.

   A few years ago, a local itinerate preacher was speaking about how he doesn't make new year resolutions. Instead, he makes a new theme for himself each year. The Spirit convicted then. I stopped making new year resolutions. Instead, I, too, began to make a theme for myself each year. In the past years of making themes, I have noticed that I am living out the theme for the first month or two, and then around March, or so, I forget about it. I usually remembered it again about October. So in recent years, I have begun to put into action specific steps to help me live out that theme.

   This year, my theme is "More Jesus." I chose that theme based on Galatians 5:16-17. It says,

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in oppositions to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."

   In other words, we have warring desires within us. And the way to defeat our desire for the flesh is not to kill all desire, but to walk by the Spirit and desire Jesus. We must put more Jesus into our lives. Click here to learn more about the More Jesus Movement. In our jobs, in our relationships, in our prayer, in our thoughts, in our finances, and everything else, we need more Jesus. We must increase our desire for Jesus in order to defeat our desire for the flesh. This is my theme for 2013.

   How about you? What is your new year resolution or theme? Do you have one? I encourage you to be intentional about this next year. Don't let last year's mistakes creep up on you again.

   What will you do in 2013 about your relationship with Jesus? How will you plan on growing closer to him?  How will you intentionally love him with you time, with your resources, or with your relationships?