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StoneGable

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12 BEST THINGS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN 2018

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Have you made your list yet? You know the one you make right before January 1st and throw away by the end of the month? I do it too! Today let’s talk about the best things you can do to change your life in 2018! For some of you, this may be a gentle reminder to keep on track as you have already made this list and are working on it. But for others this may be the start of the best-is-yet-to-come part of your life… and no, I’m not kidding!

Today let’s talk about 12 of the best habits to form in your life. Making these the emphasis of your life will have eternal rewards!

If you do not know Jesus as your LORD and Saviour you might want to start HERE

 

Let’s get started! 

GO TO CHURCH

Church is a crucial part of a believer’s life.  And finding the right church is a huge! If you are already a member of a bible believing/preaching church then you are on the right track. It’s important not only to attend church regularly but it is also important to be involved in the life and mission of your church.

We go to church to praise God. It pains me to hear people say things like, I just didn’t get much out of church today.  Well, I’d like to ask those people how much they put into church today! 

Church is not a building or an established governing body that oversees peoples lives. Church IS people!

Church is people who love the Lord Jesus Christ and want to live life together praising, abiding and obeying God; uplifting one another in all ways, growing together in the knowledge and understanding of the Word and living it out, and helping the community beyond.

Your church should be a joy and a way of support and life! Church is family. So it is also hard and messy and noisy and all the other things that go along with a loving family too.

And here’s another great thing about church. Anyone should be invited to come in. Do you know someone who needs to meet the Savior of their souls? Or who needs the arms of others to support them? Then invite them into the fold!

If that person is you take a bold step and ask a friend to take you to church with them. This will be the best thing you will do all year!

STUDY YOUR BIBLE

The God of eternity, The God of all power, The God of the universe, and on and on, has given you HIS word, HIS thoughts, HIS instructions, HIS ways in the form of the Bible.

Why did He do this? So we can know Him, worship Him and know how to live. 

And if you think about it, God has been very succinct in what He has revealed to us. Succinct but very deep. The bible only contains sixty-six books. That’s all. And to know and serve Him we need to know what His word says.

When my children were growing up I used to say, “How can you serve a God you do not know?”.

And how can we know Him? By studying the revelation He has given us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says…

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I know many of us will start the New Year by starting a read-the-bible-in-a-year plan. And that’s is fine. HOWEVER, most of what you read will probably not lodge in your mind and heart. And how can you live out the word of God if you can not remember it?

If you are reading the bible in a year I suggest reading it chronologically. There are wonderful reading plans that help you to read God’s word in timeline form.

Just remember, reading God’s word does not take the place of studying it.

JOIN A BIBLE STUDY GROUP

This is the year for you to join a Bible Study group if you do not belong to one now. Other than my personal confession of faith this was the most important step I took to a deep an abiding relationship with my Father.

This is the year to get serious about knowing God and living out His Word in your life. You will never be the same. 

It is not important what YOU think God’s word says… It is imperative that you know what GOD says His world says! 

Not all bible studies are the same. Find one that is serious about studying God’s word and digging deeper into…

  • what does God’s word say- observation
  • what does God’s word mean- interpretation
  • how do I apply and live out God’s word in my life- application

In that order!

Studying the Bible takes time just like building any close and rewarding relationship. God has given us 24 hours in every day. Shouldn’t we spend some of that time daily being studying disciples of Jesus?

If you live in my neck of the woods you are welcome to join THE BIG TABLE…a bible study I am a part of. There are women of all kinds and denominations. We are all seeking to know and abide in the word of God.

You can email me at stonegable333@gmail.com for more info. This is not a plug for my Bible study group, however. Our area has LOTS of extraordinary Bible Study groups. No matter where you are find one and get involved.

PRAY

I think prayer is very misunderstood. Prayer is conversing with God. What an extraordinary privilege! We can actually be ushered into the very presence of the only and living God to talk to Him. We don’t need to have a special set of rote words that we mumble off or a special place for prayer. 

I pray while folding laundry and walking or driving the car and doing the dishes. When I pick the harvest from my garden I can be in deep conversation with my Father. I’m even talking to Him in the shower. It’s the best place to cry and unload my heavy burden!

Prayer is talking to God. It is acknowledging God for who He is. It’s pondering out loud and in our hearts His character and attributes and what you see of God in His creation. God has revealed who He is through His works, His son Jesus and His Names. If you want to know the names of God (names are tied up with God’s character ) you can see a short study of the HERE,  and HERE, and HERE. 

I’m so awestruck by God’s sovereignty lately! Oh, how the name of the LORD  should be praised!

Prayer is thanking God for… well EVERYTHING. I get a little overwhelmed in this department. I can’t seem to thank God enough. The list is too long. How can I even turn the first page of the list if I used every breath of my entire life for thanking Him? 

I ask God to make me hypersensitive to seeing Him at work in my life and the lives of others. Every time God manifests Himself to me I thank Him! It is so easy to get caught up in life that we miss seeing God in it. And He is in every life, everywhere, all the time. Don’t wait to thank Him for what He is doing in your life big or small… thank Him on the spot!

Prayer is also making our requests known to God. God wants us to come to Him with our requests. It is not a bother to God at all. 

God knows you and He has a fabulous plan for your life. Ask in His will. Prayer releases the blessings God has for you!

You might like to read about prayer HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE,  HERE, HERE

Prayer should be the way we go about our day. Connected and in sync with our Father!

It is my prayer for you, my precious friends, that you find God right where you are and starting today you grow the most intimate, most loving, most cosmically incredible real relationship with Him and His people. 

Next week we will talk about four more life-changing things to do in 2018.

Happy New Year! Just know I pray for you and love and cherish you!!!!! xo

 

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Comments

  2. I love your comment about asking God to make you hypersensitive to seeing Him at work in your life and the lives of others. That is a great idea and I love that word! I know I don’t always realize and acknowledge that He is the one in charge and has a much bigger hand in life than we notice. It is something I know, but am are so busy with my lives that it passes me by too often. Thank-you! I know I will be adding that thought to my prayers this year.

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  3. I am trying to catch up on posts – and I LOVE this one! You are absolutely right on. Thank you for sharing this.
    ~Adrienne~

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  6. What a wonderful post!!!
    Thank you for praying for us your readers.
    I’m not blue. I’m so tired lately. My brain has had to work overtime. It’s nice how words pop up for me as I type as I’m tired.
    I did do the reading the Bible through but you’re right. It is not Study. No time to meditate. But I have time so I stop and meditate and think.
    I pray many will be reached through this. Praise God!!!!!

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  7. You are such a blessing! It’s wonderful to have a friend in Christ even though we have never met face to face. May the Lord continue to bless you abundantly. I enjoy your blog so much.

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  9. One winter past, our weather was extremely snowy & saw many cars that had slid off road prior to my morning commute. I began praying for these drivers & passengers, and it brought some peace to me as well, as I pray while driving in such conditions, and when my loved ones are as well. Thank you for your spirit and inspiration.

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  10. Our priest had an interesting perspective regarding people who say they “don’t get enough out of church.” He said that the church service is like a performance, but we are not the audience, we are the performers. God is the audience, and it is our chance to demonstrate to Him our faith and praise. It is not really about “what we get out of it.”The priest challenged us to make the most of this opportunity by putting our hearts into the words we sing, recite and pray and to think about what God is receiving from us.

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  11. Thank you for your beautiful and encouraging words. There is nothing we all need more than more of HIM in the New Year!

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  12. I so enjoy your posts. I so admire your love of God and how strong you are in your faith… Thanks for reminding all of us to get closer to God. Happy 2018 to you and your family!

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  13. I’m brand-new and delighted to discover another sister who declares her faith! Your post is right-on! Thanks for the reminders.

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  15. Thank You for your first post of the year .
    It Is easy to get cought up in the bussiness of life & forget what is important as a believer . Apprechite you sharing your relationship with the lord in this political correctness day in age .
    Blessings to you in the new year

    Maria

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  16. Beautiful post! I find it refreshing that you not only share your home with us but your deep faith as well!
    Wishing you and yours many blessings in the year ahead.

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  17. Happy new year and God bless you as you are seeking Him with all your heart! I have been meditating on this scripture “”Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬ ‭NASB‬‬
    I have prayed for you and look forward to seeing all God will do in your life!

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  18. Thanks for writing my favorite blog! This feeds our souls and secondly reveals the privilege of making our homes a welcoming sanctuary. Well done, Yvonne. God bless your 2018!

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  19. Wonderful advice for living out one’s days! “Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it Jesus is my plea, daily walking close to Thee, let it be dear Lord, let it be.”

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  20. Wow, your words are so touching and needed in my life and I am sure so many others. Since I found and joined your site in 2017, this was the first time I read each one of your followers post. Why? Because, like yours, their responses were so uplifting and encouraging. Thanks to all. I pray that 2018 will bring us all closer to God, especially starting in our homes. Let us not forget our kids, nowadays they truly need God in their lives, not just attending church, but feeling Gods Holy Spirit. Happy 2018.

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  21. Awesome Yvonne! Thank you for those wonderful reminders! I’m trying not to make resolutions. I’m just trying to do what will bring me closer to God and keep my eyes on Him when all does not go right.

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  22. What a beautiful post. I agree and practice all that you said. I try to always give God the first hour of my day praying and reading the word. I do this to show him he is first in my life.

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  23. One thing I asked God for many years ago was for me not to go to sleep at night until I had read His word. I can probably count on 1 hand how many times I missed reading scripture before sleeping. There were times I tossed and turned and finally realized I needed to get up and read my Bible! God is so good to help me remember! May you be blessed for your stand for Him in 2018! Happy New Year!

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  26. You are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ! You put it right out there for all to see and I thank you for doing so. I found you on Pinterest in 2017 and it has been such a blessing. Have a wonderful new year!

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  28. I so look forward to your Sunday posts and the way you put your belief in Christ on your blog> I am sure you have brought many to Christ by doing so. Thank you for the reminder of how important prayer is for us and others and how God must be first and that we should not just “make time” for him but we should worship him and talk with him throughout our entire day. Many blessings to you and your family Yvonne!! Happy New Year.

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  29. Thank you,Yvonne, for today’s post. I totally agree with each point and will be working on improving in each of these areas. God is so good! I am fairly new to your blog and I’m loving it. Thank you for all your hard work and sacrifice of time for us readers. By the way, in the last two posts the link to the #2post always goes to the post about what we learned in first grade. I don’t know if the link is wrong or if it’s my iPad. Just wanted to let you know. Thanks and Happy New Year!

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  30. I just lost my brother at only 65 years of age on dec 1st and we were friends . There is a hugh hole inside of me and I don’t really know what to do with it. I am a Christian and I know and agree with your post. I guess I needed to see it today to remind me of some of the things you wrote. I guess sometimes we need to be reminded of what we already know when we are hurting too much to remember them ourselves

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  32. I loved your message today. I may send you a private email asking a few questions I search answers for. Thanks.

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  35. Every year my husband & I gather all the Christmas cards we received & place them in a basket. Each evening during our prayer time together we select one card & pray for that friend or family member. The card then gets placed to the back of the basket. Through out 2018 we will be praying specifically for these special people in our lives.

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    • Hi Patricia…we do the same thing. Before I retired and a card of someone I worked with came up I would mention “hey, I prayed for you today”. Can’t tell you how many times the response was…”oh, thank you…I needed prayers today”. God bless.
      http://www.ournewvista.com

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  37. Amen.
    Great thoughts!
    As a minister I appreciate you sharing your faith and help point the way to others.
    Blessings!
    Sue

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  38. Oh my! How very beautiful your thoughts on how to make a change in our lives..and you were right in tune with today’s message at church! I know where I fall and that is reading scripture. And I was thinking this morning while getting ready for church that perhaps that should be my goal! After reading your post, I am sure if it! Thank you ! Happy New Year!

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  39. The people are the church and prayer is talking to God. As far back as I can remember, I learned these facts. I do hope you will continue your Sunday Scripture in 2018. As I have written before, your words usually are more clear in my mind than the homily I hear at church. Hope to take another survey too.

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  40. Oh my love love this message and it is so uplifting!!! God bless and thank you for sharing this message Happy New Year and may it be a blessed 2018

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  41. Thanks for the study today. Your point in ….”Ask in His will”. I find, quiet often, that I ask in my will. (lol). Being able to walk, talk, even smile a greeting is His will. Every breath we take.

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  42. I would also like to add, reach out to someone you know is hurting in the new year. So many people are grieving, sick or simply overwhelmed with life. A kind word can go so very far in making or breaking someone’s spirit. I know an elderly lady with no family and I am making her a priority in 2018. Help others!

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  43. I would also like to add, reach out to someone you know is hurting in the new year. So many people are grieving, sick or simply overwhelmed with life. A kind words can go so very far in making or breaking someone’s spirit. I know an elderly lady with no family and I am making her a priority in 2018. Help others!

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  44. I could just cry reading this. I had to come home early, again, half sick from church. Why? I have lots of allergies that I take a lot of medicine for. I also take an allergy shot, once a week. Problems have been well managed until this year. I have developed allergies to perfumes and fragrances. I have had 6 sinus infections this year and just now getting over bronchitis, all due to fragrance. There are three of us in this congregation who are sensitive, I’m the worst. There was a letter sent out asking everyone to please refrain wearing it to church. There is one who refused and several who stopped for a while and are back at it again. I’m typing this, while my head is stopped up, can’t hardly breathe and coughing. I’m even on antibiotics from the bronchitis. I can taste the perfume. I have decided not to go back. We are very active and this is killing me, but I’m tired of being sick weeks at a time. I’m tired of spending money on doctors and prescriptions. Just helped with the children’s skit this morning. Could not make it through the service. If I could outlaw fragrance {chemical} I would. Essential oils and food do not bother me. I’m hurt that people know if makes me sick, but still chooses to wear it. I’m tired of being sick and tired. I’m just tired. I’ve raised my family and am trying to enjoy my retirement years and grandchildren and all the children at church. Some babies I can’t even hold, because perfume has transferred to their clothes from their grandparents or parents. Please, if one person will read this and quit using chemical fragrances, it will be worth it. Happy New Year

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    • Thank you for caring enough to share Christ with all of us. You are a dear “friend”. Continue to shine for Jesus.

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  45. Thank you for the beautiful reminder. This morning I was looking back through my gratitude journal over 2017. I loved seeing how God answered so many prayers and lots of time, not even the way I prayed…. But better! 2017 was a year of prayer for me and I now crave that time… in the car, while I vacuum and yes, in the shower!

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  46. Prefect reminder for the new year. I’ve been much better with my prayer list this year; hoping to improve upon it in 2018! Have a healthy, and blessed, New Year.

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  47. I loved it. There is so very much truth in what you say I wish I lived in your area, although I am part of a Bible study group. God bless you and Happy New Year.

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  48. It is so refreshing to see that there are still people out there who are not ashamed of the Gospel and share what they believe with others. Even though your platform is is about design, I truly appreciate you letting the world know that you are a follower of Jesus Christ and a child of the Most High. Wishing you a Blessed 2018. Keep doing what you are doing. It is a delight!

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  49. Everything you wrote I can relate to. I love my bible based church, we have bible studies, it is the people that make the church not the building. I love the Lord and am so thankful for all of my blessings!

    Happy New Year!

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  51. As we come to a close to 2017, we look forward to what the Lord has in store for us in the new year. Thank you for being such a good christian who professes her faith to others. Blessings to you and your family in the new year.

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  54. Wise words to live by and a great start to a New Year!!
    I always enjoy your writings and always proud of your boldness is professing your FAITH. May we all be so BOLD this new year!!!

    Blessings to you in 2018.

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