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Happiness or fulfillment?

As we ring in a New Year, I'm sure most of us have resolutions we've made and goals we've set to achieve in 2012.  As we evaluate the year that has passed I challenge you to not just celebrate the blessings and achievements, but do some serious spiritual inventory and see where you need to surrender to God.  Is it control over finances or circumstances?  Is it bad attitudes or bitterness? Is is stubbornness or pride?  What is it that's keeping you from experiencing God in an incredible way this coming year?  What is it that's holding you back from impacting the world for the Kingdom of Heaven?

Something I've noticed more profoundly in recent days, in myself and believers around me, is a sense of entitlement.  Too many Christians have fallen prey to the American ideal that individuals are "entitled" to anything that makes them happy.  Now, I'm not saying God doesn't want us to be happy, but that is not his ultimate purpose for us.  I believe God has so much more in store for us than simply being happy; I believe God ultimately wants us to be fulfilled.

The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything."  He says again in chapter 10, verse 23 "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial; everything is permissible for me, but not everything is constructive."  I think modern Christians, especially in America have forgotten, or rather are ignoring, this principle.

As you step into the New Year, ask yourself this question, "Is what I'm doing beneficial or constructive to myself or the Kingdom of God?  Am I allowing myself to be mastered by this?"

"Therefore if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with God." Colossians 3: 1-3

Before you defend your rights and entitlement, ask yourself where you are setting your sights; on that which is beneficial to you spiritually and to the glory of God and his kingdom? Or on the things of this earthly kingdom?

"Aim for heaven and you'll get earth thrown in; aim for earth, and you'll get neither." -C.S. Lewis

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