Happy New Year!!!
Well, a new year has arrived. With the tick of a clock comes the necessity of trying to remember to put 2021 in place of 2020. Now, we look forward, and for many the days bring new resolutions. In a “normal” year health club memberships would increase and diets would become popular again. The pandemic has closed a lot of health clubs, but the annual ritual of resolution making will continue.
I’ve never been a fan of resolutions. All too often they take on the form of wishes. If unobserved or forgotten, life goes on. After all, there is always next year.
When we look at the Bible, what we find is God calling for commitments. Rather than sharing my words, let’s always look first to the Word of God. As you read the following verses, you can adopt them as resolutions–but live them as commitments.
“And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” 1 Kings 8:61, NIV
“Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3, NKJV
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39, NKJV
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23, NKJV
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV
As we begin this new year, I encourage you to add to these verses those to which the Holy Spirit directs you. Let us commit ourselves to growing together to “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”. (Ephesians 4:13)
In His love,
Bro. Doug