Love God first, and then serve others! Mark 12:30-31

At the end of each year, my wife and I draw up a prayerful blue print to guide us through the coming year. We have been doing so since 2004 and find it anchoring in our intended purpose to walk as followers of Christ. The primary reason for us doing so, and reading it together daily, is to start our day talking with God, our Creator and Father. Just as critical, and perhaps not so obvious, is to trump our strong bent to behave selfishly and our capability to go it alone as gods of our own kingdom.

For this year we are in prayer that the one word message, telegraphed over a hundred years ago, from General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, to missionaries around the world truly reaches the heart, mind, and action of our household. We are inspired and grateful to “hear” the word “OTHERS” and to the best of our ability, commit to its calling as our battle cry for 2015.

The inimitable William Booth was able to simplify the message God had originally expressed when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem mankind (others) from man’s fallen nature. In Phil 2:5-11, the height of humility is described as Jesus emptied Himself of His divine nature to walk among us as a man. As fully God and fully man, the Lord’s Father remained the source of all His miracles that always resulted in the betterment of others.

Knowing that background, may we share what we will be using as our blueprint for 2015. Perhaps you may want to ask God to help you develop one for you too!

Dear Savior and Lord of Our Lives,

We are grateful for our marriage and the life, talents, and gifts You have given us. Please help us to honor You by fitting into Your purpose. We are united and focused to hear the word “OTHERS” for 2015.

Lord, we know and understand that we need to be led by Your Spirit to function in Your wisdom and timing in order to serve others, and we humbly ask for Your grace to do so.

Lord, help us to encourage people, including and especially our natural and church family members. Let the words that we think, the plans we make, and the actions we take communicate truth in love.

Father God, please touch our hearts and renew our minds to effectively submit to You this New Year, 2015. Without You, we can do nothing, but with you, we can do all things. Let the “OTHERS” You bring into our lives see You in us this day and every day. In Jesus name, we pray….AMEN!

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Steven J. Bouley + Cynthia J. Bouley                   1-1-15

Romans 12:1-2; Phil 4:13