Read: Psalm 5, Matthew 6

After the winter holiday season, a time to celebrate and honor the birth of Our Lord and Savior with family and friends, focus often shifts to New Year's resolutions and personal goals for the upcoming year. What are some of your personal goals for the year? Do they include Jesus?

As we examine areas of need and seek ways to make our lives better, including worship of God into our plans will bring us joy and peace because, ultimately, we are working to make His plans for us come to fruition. Seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and acknowledging his will for us - even when we aren't completely sure what that is - can help our own goals begin to align more closely with God's goals for our lives.

Jesus acknowledged the worries of mankind in his sermon on the mount and comforted listeners, saying, "...your Heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things." He then provided the solution to our worries, encouraging, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:30-34).

We celebrate Christ's birth at Christmastime. Let's continue to celebrate him and seek him year round.

In Psalm 5, David wrote to God, "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."

Trust him. Seek him. Find joy in him - this year and always.

PRAYER: God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to be the savior of the world to redeem us. Please guide us to fulfill your will and to find peace and joy in this life while we seek you. We thank you and ask for these blessings in the name of Christ. Amen.