Like this:

Happy New Year! Hard to believe that 2012 is already off and running whether you and I are on the train or not!! Some of us are already one week in to an annual effort to: (choose one from the list below)

1)Read the Bible through

‘2)Lose weight / start exercising

3)Stop an unhealthy habit

4)Be a better (husband, wife, parent)

5)_____________ (fill in the blank)

These efforts are sincere and usually by the second or third week of the year we have given up and fallen back into the old rut, sitting at home eating Doritos on the couch. Our efforts usually fail. Do you know why? It’s because we’re TRYING! That’s right. I want to convince you that to bring genuine change into your life, you’ve got to stop TRYING. All that will do is result in failure. TRYING never accomplished anything. I can TRY to become an NBA basketball player or an NFL linebacker or an opera singer. But TRYING won’t get it. How do people become great at basketball, football, or opera singing? They get there by TRAINING, not by TRYING. The Bible is clear on this one. We don’t become mature in our faith or grow in Christ-likeness by TRYING.

We are to TRAIN ourselves in godliness:

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.   (1 Timothy 4:7-10 ESV)

So this year, if you really want to see life change happen, determine to TRAIN yourself for the life you want to obtain. TRAIN yourself for godliness; TRAIN yourself for obedience; TRAIN yourself to excel in living for Christ.

Stop TRYING, and start TRAINING! And let’s start  TODAY!  

 

 

Advertisement