June Hunt on Purpose in Life

At the beginning of each new year, one thing is on most everyone’s mind: New Year’s resolutions. The new year provides a fresh start to change something … especially to quit an old harmful habit or to start a new healthy one.

Our intentions are good, but as you know, New Year’s resolutions rarely last. I believe one reason they don’t stick is because the focus is often on our efforts … rather than on our God.

Resolutions fizzle out because they focus on our plans instead of on God’s plans for us. The Bible says … “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

If you’re thinking of making resolutions for 2019, try this: Line up your plans with God’s plans … align your will with His will.

What are His plans and purposes for you? Look at the Lord’s 10 priorities for your life:

1. God wants you to experience His great love for you.
   “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
2. God wants you to receive His forgiveness.
   “I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5).
3. God wants you to know Him.
   “This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
4. God wants to conform you to be like Jesus.
   “Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29).
5. God wants you to know His Word.
   “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).
6. God wants you to talk to Him daily in prayer.
   “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
7. God wants you to trust Him in all things.
   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
8. God wants you to love Him.
   “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
9. God wants you to love others.
   “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
10. God wants you to tell others about Jesus.
    “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT).

As you turn the page to 2019 and decide on your personal resolutions for the new year—as you seek any change in your life—remember God’s plans are always best for you. When your plans align with His plans, you’ll receive lasting peace and inner joy … and find the strength to change.

Remember, you’re not on your own—Christ is your strength for change. Colossians 1:27 clearly states that it’s “CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” [the hope of reflecting who He is]. So when you receive Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, that means Christ is living inside you … which also means His presence will empower you to change whatever needs to change.

Now that’s real hope! I pray God’s blessing on you throughout 2019. And anticipate the Lord in you being the power source for change through you.

Yours in the Lord’s hope,

June Hunt

P.S. Remember, for any change the Lord prompts you to make, embrace this truth every day … “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). For 12 weeks, repeat it out loud every day. His truth sets us free!

If you’re on Facebook, I invite you to connect with me at Facebook.com/June.Hunt.Hope. And if you’re not, take it from me: You’re never too old to start! See you there!

For your convenience, you can donate to this ministry via our website, www.HopeForTheHeart.org.

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