I AM RESOLVED

I would like to begin by sending wishes from our family to each of you and your families for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We pray you are able to spend this holiday season with family and friends to make it as joyous as possible. We pray for safe journeys for all who are traveling. We will be away this week as we travel to north Georgia to visit with family.

Webster defines resolved as “determined; firm in purpose; resolute.” This is the time of year that many choose to make New Year’s resolutions. While we should not wait until the new year to set goals and make decisions, it is a time of new beginnings. God is always willing to give us a new start. That is a part of the idea of repentance; making a change. Many times, these resolutions are quickly forgotten so that, for many, the idea of making them has become a joke. I challenge you to be resolved to do the following in 2006.

Study your Bible every day. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6). The only way to avoid destruction is to have knowledge. The only way to have knowledge is to study. “(A)s His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” (2 Peter 1:3). Everything we need to know about pleasing God can be found in His word. Study it every day.

Pray. “(P)ray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When you study the life of Jesus, you see very clearly that He was a man of prayer. Prayer is not a last resort to be used only in times of critical need; it should be an integral part of our lives. Remember the words of James, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).

Attend every service. “(N)ot forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). When the church assembles, I have a responsibility to be there. If we are seeking the kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), we should want to attend every service. Whenever you choose to do something other than attend the services, you are, in reality, saying that thing is more important to you than God.

Do good for others. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). In Matthew 25:31-46, the standard of judgment was the good done for others. We know from studying other passages that this is not the only standard, but it is important. It is very important to realize this is an individual responsibility. We will not be judged by how we helped others with our tax money or through the church. The real question is “What am I doing to help others?”

Share the gospel. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:18-20). While this was spoken to the apostles directly, it applies to us. We cannot be pleasing to God if we are not sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Also, keep in mind that we are commanded to love others, even our enemies. If we love someone, we will want what is best for them. What can be better for them than to hear the gospel?

While others are making resolutions to lose weight, to quit smoking, to work less (or more), let’s be resolved to do things that will make a difference not only in this life but for eternity.

--Lamar