Are you making New Year’s resolutions?
Very often, this time of the year, you hear of people making resolutions; New Year’s resolutions that will give them a better life by losing weight or saving their money or getting a better job. Maybe there are even those who resolve to go to church more or read their Bibles everyday… but I’m going to challenge you to take a bigger step.
Why do you want to lose weight or stop smoking or make more money? Perhaps you wish to have better health or you want your spouse to stop glancing at thinner women or maybe that cough has been a warning to you. Usually making a resolution concerning those things doesn’t last very long. You may have even tried hard before but can’t seem to stay on track; you give in to your cravings, you give up trying on new clothes and the desire to have another cigarette is too overwhelming. I’d like you to try something new…well, not so new but it may be to you. I’m not suggesting that you are not a good Christian or that you don’t pray or anything else, I would just like you think about this in a different manner.
A Bigger Challenge: Live a more God filled life, portraying Christ daily, consistently.
When we resolve to live a purer, godlier life, we must recognize that our greatest adversary the devil, wages an all out war against us so that we might fail at that effort. Have you thought about that? Have you really, really thought about how badly Satan does NOT want you to succeed when it comes to growing in your faith and your relationship to Jesus Christ?
When we choose to be all we can be for Christ – not for ourselves but for Him; we send the message “I’m growing! I’m changing! God is with me in all things!” NO? Oh, yes, it does. When we sincerely resolve to be all we can be and bring glory to God in our lives…He lives up to his promises to be with us, walk with us, guide us, support us, instruct us, shelter us, strengthen us, hide us, guard us, fill us, encourage us…WOW! What else? Well…
When we take God at his word – He promises to wipe away fear, depression, confusion, anger and temptation. Through it all, when we resolve to repent of our unrighteous ways and turn to God’s will for our lives we can eagerly look forward to all of the tomorrows of 2012. When we are confident in Christ; when we walk with confidence in this life we will see changes…
Think on this: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
What do you want for your future? I’m sure you would like peace and joy, good health and a sufficient career. It wouldn’t hurt to be financially secure with a lot of good friends and a loving family. You want a wonderful spouse and good children; you just want…well, you want it all. Realistically, that’s just not going to happen but the next best and better thing can happen! Though you most likely will not get all of these things all at the same time; staying close to God and studying his word will give you the direction and encouragement you need to put feet to your prayers.
Let me give you a few examples:
Want Peace? …better listen to God “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:18) How many times does He have to direct us to his word so that we may gain peace in our lives? …after all He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14a)
- and how about this favorite: “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Additionally: Philippians 4:7; Romans 5:1
Feeling Dissatisfied? … trust His word – “My people will be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:14b)
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:9)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6)
Dissatisfaction lived out is raw negativity. Negativity is like a disease that spreads from others to you or vice versa… Like many others things; depression, bitterness etc., accepting anything but contentment will hinder your growth and your happiness. Paul, with everything he endured knew how to be content in the midst of despair. The list is long (II Corinthians 11:23-33) yet he could state “not that I speak in regard of need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)
Personally, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t desired peace or felt let down and dissatisfied. I’m simply suggesting that between you and God there is a way to overcome those issues if they are controlling you. Choose to put God in control.
Need Patience? Did I hear someone out there say they were going to be more patient in 2012?
It can happen, but you don’t achieve patience when everything is going well. When your days are balanced and ‘Murphy’s Law’ isn’t in action in your home or in your life, chances are there is no reason for on-going patience. Since we all can use a dose of Job’s patience now and again, I suggest you read the following:
Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Did you catch that… patience and comfort comes from the word of God. We can practice calmness and understanding but if we want that ‘practice’ to be part of our character and make up, it needs to come from God’s word.
James 1:3, 4 “…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” When troubles beset you… you will need patience and James tells us in verse 2 “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” He doesn’t say ‘if’ he says ‘when’, so if you haven’t experienced obstacles in your Christian walk so far, you will; with that in mind… get patience! Read the Scriptures!
I could write pages and pages of ways we could resolve to be better, healthier, more peaceful, more Christlike…there is not enough room here, but I can guarantee you that whatever your resolution might be, you will find assistance in the Bible – it’s God’s own words ; from Him to you.
I have a New Year’s resolution as well. My resolution; my desire is to really, really grow in my love relationship with Christ. To be energetic in my believer’s walk so that my actions glorify the Father. I want people to see that there is something in me that the world cannot offer. So …back to the book
Happy 2012! Be Encouraged…Be Confident…Walk in Peace
|