Happy New Year!

I have been praying for Sojourn and our city this morning. Yesterday’s teaching mentioned that God’s grace and favor is the foundation we have for victorious self assessment. If you are depressed or debilitated by 2007, you are not standing upon God’s grace. If you realize that God’s favor was upon you before the universe was formed (Tit 1:1-2, Eph 1:3-6) you will be both humbled and exhilarated. Humility helps to not think too highly of ourselves. Exhilaration and empowerment comes when we see how God thinks of us. So… dream big dreams about what the Father desires to do IN and THROUGH you this year.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. ESV

Time with your Father
If you have not already, invest in a good study bible (try English Standard Version of the Reformation Study Bible, or NIV Study Bible) - look for one with margins big enough to write in. Then, write in the margins. Talk back as you study.

For January - June: take the challenge to read through a chapter of Proverbs each day according to the date (Proverbs has 31 chapters) - in addition, during the workweek James 1-5 (1 chapter each for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday).

Wake up and get off the throne. When you awake, be strategic in submitting. Before you jump into the craziness of the day, pause… surrender… align yourself under the Kingship of Jesus. Ask Him to speak to you. Submit your spirit. Submit your mind. Submit your heart. Submit your body. Submit your relationships. Submit your agendas. Submit your dreams. Submit your challenges. And when you pray, take time to stop and listen to Him. If you are faithfully reading His story (read, bible) He will guide in ways that will not contradict what He has said in His scriptures.

Some Sojourners will be reading through “Life’s Ultimate Privilege” over the next 15 days. I will be reading it through too. May it be a springboard for holistic health and to the mission of Jesus Christ.

Refer back to Luke 2:52:
- Stand upon His unconditional favor
- Seek wisdom and understanding of God, the human condition, your DNA, and our mission
- Manifest “stature” through wise and God-led actions
- Understand that God has conditional favor based upon how we comply with His design
- These will bring favor in the relationships God has given to you - they will not be perfect, but you will approach with a different set of eyes, ears, words and actions

2008 is going to be a thrilling ride. Buckle your chinstraps. Here we go.

__________________________
David Thew
Sojourn Pastor
Thewblog