New Direction for a New Year

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• Text Eph. 515-17 Selected
• Cross Creek Community Church
• Pastor Dave Martin December 29, 2002
• Gods Word is Powerful, Relevant, and Life
  Changing!

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• Ephes. 515-17 Be very careful, then, how you
  live--not as unwise but as wise, 16making the
  most of every opportunity, because the days are
  evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but
  understand what the Lord's will is.

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• 1. Realize my time is Limited.
• V15 Be very careful, then, how you live
• Psalm 9010 The length of our days is seventy
  years--or eighty, if we have the strength yet
  their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they
  quickly pass, and we fly away.

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Who decides how you spend your time?

• You do!

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• The 1 Time Stealer today is Television.
• Getting Control
• Strive for a more Spiritual Emphasis
• Go whole weekends without.
• Visit people - friends, family, etc.
• Invest in worthwhile books, projects, etc.

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• Choose to use my time Wisely.
• V15b-16 not as unwise but as wise, 16making the
  most of every opportunity, because the days are
  evil.
• Proverbs 17 The fear of the Lord is the
  beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom
  and discipline.

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• Where does wisdom come from? God
• Proverbs 26 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from
  his
• mouth come knowledge and understanding.
• Proverbs 129 Since they hated knowledge and did
  not choose to fear the Lord,

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• Psalm 9012 Teach us to number our days aright,
  that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
• More Things
• More Choices
• More Overload
• Less Time

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Wise and Unwise Choices of Life Involving

• Commitments
• Possessions
• Information

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• Prioritize my life to Gods will.
• V17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand
  what the Lord's will is.
• Romans 122 Do not conform any longer to the
  pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
  renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to
  test and approve what God's will is--his good,
  pleasing and perfect will.

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What is most important in my life?

• Education Career School Family
• Church God Sports Fitness
• Money Character Other Fame
• Popularity Power Prestige Reputation
• Health Pleasures Leisure Possessions

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Write down by priority the most important things
you need to do tomorrow...

• _________________
• _________________
• _________________
• _________________

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• Gods Biblical Priorities are

• God
• Family
• Church
• Other

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"New Direction for a New Year"

• You cant control the length of your life, but
  you can have something to say about its width and
  depth.
• If we truly desire a New Direction for a New
  Year, align our priorities with Gods will.
• Then watch your life begin to change!

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• I was a revolutionary when I was young and all
  my prayer to God was Lord, give me the energy to
  change the world. As I approached middle age and
  realized that my life was half gone without my
  changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to
  Lord, give me the grace to change all those who
  come into contact with me, just my family and
  friends, and I shall be satisfied. Now that I am
  an old man and my days are numbered, I have begun
  to see how foolish I have been. My one prayer now
  is Lord, give me the grace to change myself.
  If I had prayed for this right from the start, I
  would not have wasted my life.
• From John Maxwell Developing the Leader Within
  You

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New Direction for a New YearWhat kind of
person will you be this year?

• Realize My time is Limited.
• Choose to use My time Wisely.
• Prioritize My life to Gods Will.
• IF

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...2002 was one of those years which you began
with optimism,
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And ended a little despondent,
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Feeling all alone in the world,
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And with a couple of extra little wrinkles,
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And a few extra pounds.
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If during the year you forgot more than one
important commitment ... Like your
mother-in-laws birthday,
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Not to mention differences of opinion with the
boss,
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And more than one goal remained out of reach.
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If 2002 wasnt as great as it could have been
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2003 has arrived!
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So celebrate it the best possible way ...
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With cuddles,
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And kisses,
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And lots of humor.
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Heres hoping youll leap into 2003 in Christ
with prosperity, health and happiness!
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Have a Happy New Year!

• Cross Creek Community Church