Putting God First in 2016

2 Timothy 4:7

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Two Realities in Living for God

Reality 1:

Pride is a problem we are must deal with daily.

Proverbs 11:2

2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

1 Corinthians 9:27

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Thessalonians 3:5

5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

2 Corinthians 12:7

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Reality 2:

Not every Christian has finished well. You will not put God first on autopilot.

Proverbs 5:9

9 Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one;

7 Commitments to Live For God in 2016

Commitment 1: Spend increased time in God’s Word.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.—2 Timothy 2:15

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Commitment 2: Don't make Room for the flesh.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.—Romans 13:14

Commitment 3: Maintain a biblical and pure thought life.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;—2 Corinthians 10:5

Commitment 4: Pray for a humble spirit.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.—1 Corinthians 10:12

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.—James 4:6–7

Commitment 5: Cultivate godly relationships.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.—Proverbs 27:17

Commitment 6: Be Accountable for your Spiritual Life. You will need help.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.—Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Commitment 7: Walk in the fear of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.—Proverbs 8:13

I am indebted to John Maxwell and to http://www.PaulChappell.com  for many of the ideas behind these and to Dr. Chappell for a good bit of the wording and structure. (It was very helpful to me!)