Matthew 5:37

Paul Calvert share's his story of how he ended up living in Israel.

Paul Calvert

It's a new year, but I wonder how many people have already broken their New Year's resolutions?

You promised to give up smoking, but the temptation is great. You said as soon as the clock strikes 12am, you will begin your diet, but things haven't gone so well.

I don't make New Year's resolutions. I don't want to make a promise to do something I am going to fail miserably at.

To me a promise is very important. If I make a promise then I have to keep it. You can't just give up half way through because it is too hard.

The Bible says "All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37) So I would rather not make a promise than make one and break it.

But a new year is a good time to reflect.

Look back on the past year and see how well you have done. Did you grow? Are you becoming more like Jesus? Or for some reason did something get in the way and you went backwards?

Reflecting on the year ahead helps you to set goals that you would like to achieve for the coming year.

Praying for God's blessing and guidance means that we not only ask for help, but put God at the forefront of any plans we may have.

God may plant a dream or a vision into your heart for 2019. This year could be the start of a great big adventure.

God called me to come to Israel and after 17 years I am still here!

It's amazing that I have had the privilege of living in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. I am writing this article now in my house in Bethlehem. I can look outside and see the hills and valley of the city.

It's an amazing journey, but it started with a vision.

I had always visited Israel to do renovation work on a church. I would pop in for a month and then leave. Then a year later I would come back again for a month or two.