Setting the Proper Foundation for the New Year

As recently posted in the Emma Joy Weekly Newsletter

Hello, everyone!


A new year is upon us and I am determined to make significant changes in any way needed so the wise choices of last year continue and the poor choices of 2018 are uprooted to the best of my ability.


As you reminisce over the previous year, what does it evoke in you? Who or what helped strengthen your walk with our great King? Who or what caused you to waver in your commitment to Christ? What choices increased your overall well-being? What decisions ultimately brought you more harm than good?


A word I have chosen for the theme of my 2019 is purge. It's a strong word with a powerful meaning. Merriam-Webster defines it as: to free from moral defilement, to cause evacuation from, to make free of something unwanted.


This can apply to toxic relationships, unbiblical beliefs about oneself or the world, stubbornness, pride, rebellion, cussing, squandering time or money, and any stumbling block that serves to keep you complacent, stagnant, unhealthy, or halfhearted in your roles and responsibilities.


"Life only changes when you do." What a brilliant concept that is often missed by the majority. It isn't all about stopping bad behavior as it is about becoming a person who grows in Christ-likeness and from that flows very real positive change. When we grow in character, we are better equipped for the unexpected changes that life brings to every person. When we do not take character growth or our relationship with the LORD seriously, life will knock us down and cause us to feel like we are drowning with little hope in sight.


I'd like to ask: How often do you read the Bible? How often do you use the Internet or watch television? Why do you only read the Bible that often? How do you justify using the Internet or watching television that often? You see, often the great disconnect between transformation and remaining the same person (or even getting worse) is that we give countless hours per week to entertainment or social media and very few hours to consuming the word of God.


I challenge you to try this assignment: Buy a wall calendar, planner, or even 25 cent notebook and start with tomorrow's date. For two weeks straight (marking each day off), read the Bible for the amount of time you currently use the Internet or watch television daily and watch television and use the Internet for the current amount of time you read the Bible daily. It is a surefire way to bring to light just how much time we as humans tend to squander on leisure, and just how little time we give to seeking our Creator and King. In two weeks, I'd like each of you who are willing to do this challenge (beginning tomorrow) to send me an email with the significant changes that took place in your life through this simple (yet difficult to be sure) exercise.


You will discover a newfound desire to please the LORD like never before since I presume you will be reading a lot of the Bible daily, as well as a significant decrease in your struggle with sin since your intake of TV and the Internet will be so little.


I am praying for each of you as you give up a mere two weeks of your time to give God the best of your hours. You just might want to continue this exercise indefinitely!