9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

                                                                       Galatians 6:9-10 (KJV)

     Have you ever had those times when you do good, and do good, and do good, and feel like you aren’t making any progress?  You are nice to other people, but nobody seems nice to you.  Other people are “getting ahead,” but you are going nowhere.  And, you wonder if the old saying of “the good guys finish last” is true?  Then, you wonder if you shouldn’t bend your values and your kindness a little, so you can get ahead too.
     I think many people have been to this spot.  Should we bend our values, give up, or keep going and hope?  God answers our question in Galatians 6:9-10.   Keep going!  Do well and don’t give up.  If you don’t get tired, if you don’t stop, if you don’t give up, if you don’t bend your values, then you will be rewarded. 
     It is this message that led me to keep going with my business, DUO Inspirations.    I was frustrated that I wasn’t getting the amount of sales I wanted or the exposure and following I wanted.  I was thinking about giving up or taking short cuts that I didn’t believe in to get more views and more likes.  However, God gave me this message and I held it close to my heart. 
     This year is already looking more exciting than previous years.  I can’t wait to see the rest of the year, not only in business, but in other areas of my life as well.     

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
                                     2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
 
     I have felt a change in myself lately.  I have been in a kind of a rut, a plodding through life without much direction or a hope, but no clear direction and validation.  However, recently, I have felt a warm, comforting feeling.  It feels so good at times, that I want to thank God from the top of my lungs for the whole world to feel.
     So, what has changed?  Am I all of a sudden rich, worry free, or without issues?  No.  That isn’t it.  I still have the same financial issues and daily problems as I have in the past.  Yet, they don’t worry me nearly as much at the moment.
     The thing that has changed is that I have been spending more time focused on God.  I have been praying about what I want to do and how I should do it.  I have been finding ways that support my end goals and doing them, instead of just talking about them.  I have been reaching out more and trying to meet new people.  I have been reading the Bible more and praying more.  I have been trying to be more thankful and trying to give God the credit.
     I like these changes.  I do feel like a “new creature.”  I feel like I have a bunch of things to work on, but I feel God is with me.  I don’t feel the need to worry about it too much.  And, for the first time in a while, I feel like I have a direction and validation for what I want to do.
     It is always surprising when I feel good while focusing on God more in my life and wonder why I haven’t been doing it all along.  Why would I not?  Why would I not want this good feeling I have right now?  But, even more importantly, why would I want to be away from God for even a second?  I like this feeling. 
     I am finding that the second part of this verse is also ringing true, not that I would doubt God’s word.  Not only am I being transformed, but also old feelings, old ways, old thoughts, old hurts, also seem to be falling away.  I feel so thankful!
 
     So, what do you need to “pass away” for fall away?  In which way do you need for feel like a new creature?  How can you get closer to Christ, to focus on Him more in your life?

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (KJV)
 
     Recently, in anticipation of the new year, I have been thinking about how this year has been and what I hope for in the new year.  I have been thinking about goals, plans, and dreams. 
     I have thought about it and have come up with a list of personal goals and a list of business goals for DUO Inspirations for the coming year.  I have great desires, big dreams, and precious thoughts about how I would like my life to go. 
     Yet, I know that it isn’t my plans and my goals that are important, but the plans of my Heavenly Father.  So, I consulted my Holy Bible and Googled “KJV verses about God’s plan” and came up with Jeremiah 29:11-14 as my guiding quote for making plans.
     The words in Jeremiah 29:11-14 comfort me.  It is so nice to know and feel that God wants what is best for me.  I knew it before, but we do need reminding at times.  What is more, God doesn’t dictate what we want to do as long as it follows a path to Him.  We are called to have our own thoughts and to turn to God for help and wisdom, and He will direct us.  God doesn’t leave us alone to figure it out and do it all ourselves.  He is with us!  (Doesn’t that sound like the parent, friend, teacher, mentor, and minister… we all hope for?  Good news!  We have it in God all day every day!)
    
*     Please feel free to share your goals for the new year and/or the verses which you use as a guide when you are making plans.