Resolve To Do Something Different

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

The reason why we need to make New Year’s resolutions is so that we take a little time to look at ourselves and see what it is that God would have us to do better.  I know, we all think that we are good, and for the most part we probably are, but there is always room for improvement and with God, it is possible.

So, let us not deflect the nudging of the Holy Spirit when it comes to making our resolutions for the New Year, and know that our willingness to change opens the door for God to work through us and for us to work better for God.

Have a changed and happy New Year.

God Is Faithful

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendent of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal, but the word of God is not imprisoned.

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

If we endure, we will also reign with Him;

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

2 Timothy 2:7-13

Cut Each Other Some Slack

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or stumbling block in a brother’s way. 

Romans 14:12-13

This is a novel idea.  Instead of second guessing each other's decisions, let’s cut each other some slack allowing for the fact we do not know all the circumstances of each other's lives. 

To do so is to error on the side of love. 

Near Misses

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Mitch Albon in his book The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto (Harper Collins, 2015) wrote: “… when a higher power has a plan for you, life can be full of near misses.”

We tend to regard near misses of bad things as good for us and near misses of good things as bad for us, but what if both play equally into God’s plans? 

This makes us reconsider how we are doing, doesn’t it?  Perhaps when we think we are not doing too well, we are doing better than we think.  God has a plan and we are part of it.

Do It All In The Name Of The Lord

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:15-17

My God In Whom I Trust

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

My God in whom I trust!

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

Psalm 91:1-4