For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. – Romans 3:23

It’s amazing how much small things matter.  Have you ever gotten a small rock in your shoe when you were walking or running? The small rock can effect your ability to run or walk effectively. Until you remove it, it will slow you down and be a bother to you.

That’s a lot like what sin did to our relationship with God. Even the smallest sin kept you from a relationship with God. From the smallest to the largest sin, we all have messed up and don’t deserve heaven or a relationship with God.

The good news is that God wasn’t satisfied with us being separated from a relationship with Him. That’s why He sent Jesus to be the payment for our sin. Even though in our own efforts and merits, we couldn’t meet God’s standard, God made it possible for us to be made right with Him through Jesus.

Take some time today to thank God for His wonderful gift to us. It’s not based on our merit or good works, but all on Jesus’ sacrifice.

Lord, you are my God;
    I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
    you have done wonderful things,
    things planned long ago. – Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)

This week, we’ve discussed a lot about the power of reading the Bible. Today’s let’s focus on the power of praise. There’s something powerful that happens when you begin to praise God.

You might have just had the worst day at school. Perhaps everything is going wrong in your life, and it feels like there’s nothing to praise God for. That’s ok. I’ve been there too. The important thing is to realize that it’s when you’re at your lowest that praise can be most powerful.

As you begin to praise God for what He’s done, praise Him for the world He created, praise Him for each day that you’re here on earth, it helps you. It makes you realize that yes, you might have had a bad day or a bad week, but God is good. He’s there to help you through the trouble you’re facing. And as you praise, it helps you remember God’s goodness.

So today, take some time to praise God. It doesn’t have to be a long thing, a minute or two will do. But remember God’s goodness. Remember the good things that He has done and how much He loves you!

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. – 1 Timothy 4:13 (NIV)

As you go to set goals this year, one to consider is are you making time in your life for Bible study? There are lots of ways to study your Bible, but the goal is to read it and get to know God through it.

There are lots of ways you can read the Bible. You might find that you learn a lot when you go to your youth group at church, hear the reading of the word, and talk to friends that are believers. It’s possible that you enjoy listening to a Bible app on your phone, or really enjoy reading your paper copy of the Bible. Regardless of the method, as a Christian, you should be getting into your Bible.

Also, consider reading through the entire Bible this year. Lots of times, it’s easy to just read the sections of the Bible you like and that bless you. And while that’s great, you should challenge yourself to read the whole Bible all the way through. Yes, there will be some passages that are challenging to read, some you might not understand, but reading through the entire Bible does really help you get a better picture of God and His plan on the earth.

Each day, determine to set aside some time to read your Bible. Developing a habit of reading the word will help you grow in your walk with God and know Him better. That should be our goal as Christians, knowing our creator.

Goal #4 – Am I Willing to Read My Bible?

Have you set goals for the new year? Perhaps you aren’t really into goals. Some people aren’t. But even if you don’t have major ambitions of losing weight or getting your history class grade a bit higher, you should have a few goals as a Christian. Check out this one found in Romans.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. – Romans 12:1 (NIV)

In Romans 12:1 we see that we are being urged to be a living sacrifice. What in the world does that mean? Are you supposed to hop on an altar like Isaac did in the Old Testament and be willing to get sacrificed?

I sure hope you answer no to that question! No, we aren’t called to be an actual sacrifice. Instead, God calls us to present our bodies to Him. So what does that look like?

Well, presenting your body to Him as a living sacrifice often looks like simply being willing to do whatever God asks you to do. Are you willing to give up some of your free time to read the Bible each day? If God asked you to give your Christmas money to your friend who is going through a tough time, would you be willing to do that?

Being a living sacrifice is just being willing to do whatever God asks. Often when God asks you to do something, it’s not always a huge thing. God many times doesn’t ask you to start a worldwide ministry. Instead, He simply asks you to give up a little time each day to pray for a friend in need.

Will you do whatever God asks? Whether it’s something big or something small. If so, you’re being a living sacrifice for Him.

So today, make one of your goals (even if goals aren’t your thing) to be a living sacrifice. Choose to do whatever He asks you to do, regardless of how big or how small, how complicated or how easy it is. If you do, you’re being a living sacrifice for Him.

Goal #2 – Am I Willing to Be a Living Sacrifice?

With the New Year comes all kinds of planning and resolutions. You might resolve to eat better, do better at school, practice your instrument more for band. The list could go on. This week, we’ll talk about some goals to consider adding to your list.

Goal #1 – Knowing God.

This one might make you think, well, yeah, of course. But seriously look at this one. Do you know God? Have you prioritized developing a relationship with Him? Or have you put the idea of knowing Him on pause for awhile. Perhaps your job, playing sports, and hanging out with friends has distracted you from really getting to know Him.

The truth is, in everything we do, knowing God should be our goal. Why? Success without God isn’t success at all. If we make tons of friends, do well in sports, and at school, but haven’t known God, what will we have to show at the end of our lives?

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, – Philippians 3:10 (NIV)

Knowing God should be our number one goal. God wants to speak into your life. He will show you things to come, help you out on a math test, and bring blessing and peace into your life in such amazing ways. It’s just up to you to spend some time getting to know Him.

You do this through worship, prayer, and reading your Bible. So in all your goal setting this year, take some time to think through how you’ll make room in your life for the things of God. Don’t get so busy with all the “stuff” of life that you forget that any success without God is empty.

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” – Luke 1:45 (NLT)

When God speaks sometimes it seems crazy. He told Noah to build an ark when they hadn’t ever seen rain before. He told Sarah she was going to have a baby when she was too old. Time and time again, we see God give someone a promise that seems impossible. And yet, in the midst of impossibility, God comes through and brings the promise to pass.

Mary was no different. God told her something crazy. She was a virgin and yet God told her that she would give birth to a child. Mary believed what God told her even when it didn’t make any sense. Mary placed her trust in God above what she could see or feel and she saw God do a miracle in her life.

Today’s Truth: Your situation is not too impossible for God!

The same is true for you. You might feel like you’re in an impossible situation. The truth is that God has spoken promises in His word to you. It’s just up to you to believe those promises. When you choose to believe God’s promises and stand in faith,  you’ll see great results.