Years ago I managed an IT department on a university campus, and every conversation we had with end-users (those are the ones with problems) began something like this, “Have you rebooted your machine?” I swear back in the 90′s this would fix 90% of the problems on a Windows 95 machine.
January is official reboot your life month, right? You might prefer the word resolutions, quick-fixes, or get better ideas for 2012. I personally like the idea of rebooting things. Well at this time of year, let me ask you…
“Have you rebooted your resolutions and goals this year?”
Here are 5 ways to take the time to push the reboot button on 2011, and amp up for 2012.
1. Quit pretending everything went perfect in 2011. What went wrong? Define it, meditate on it, look into why it didn’t go your way in these areas, and then bury it.
2. Quit pretending everything was terrible in 2011. What went right? Some of you might have to look hard, but I can guarantee you that you’ve done something noble and honorable this year. Define it, meditate on it, look into why it went your way, and then bury it.
3. What challenged you this year? Notice I used the word “challenge”, not the word “troubled.” What was hard for you to do this year? Why was it harder than you thought?
4. What do you want to do this year? <Insert Dream Here>
5. Pray. Work through these top 4 and then pray. But why pray? Well the Bible tells us so!
Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven
Matthew 7:7 ”Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 9:29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it
Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
