New Year Resolution

New Year’s Resolution - a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or to stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.

I have not been big on New Year’s resolutions.  I thought resolutions were stupid because I failed to live up to the resolution, so why continue doing something that I could not live up to.  I remember back in the day when I used to work out at the gym on a regular basis and every year you would see the gym packed to capacity in January.  Without fail, only the faithful would be left in February.  All the others that had a New Year’s resolution to work out, lose weight, and become fit would drop out.

The message today is not about making a resolution or a vow, but a commitment to God to start doing better and making a greater effort to stop doing things that are bad.  This commitment cannot be for just a month or two.  Rather, it has to be a permanent change of life.  Yes, I am calling you out (as well as myself) because God wants us to rid ourselves of our old nature and develop a relationship with Him.  We need to task ourselves with taking our relationship to the next level.  Simply by reading this, God will be watching to see what we will do with this challenge.  Be careful not to let the enemy turn this into guilt and condemnation.  God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to make progress in our walk with Him. 

First, let’s examine (Galatians 6:4) how we present ourselves and identify the sin in our lives.  Take into consideration how sin will manifest in our physical (actions) which does not represent Jesus Christ.  Below are a few of the many things we have to work on.  I am sure God will convict you of additional areas of your life that you may have to address. 

Anger – Many times anger is so natural in us, that we can’t see that this anger makes life miserable to others. (Proverbs 29:22).  Your anger will bring fear to the people that you come into contact with.

Worry – Worry is another name for anxiety or stress.  In reality, these words can be called fear.  Examples are fear of man, fear of losing your job or money, fear of the economy, fear of being late, fear for our children or family, fear of not being accepted or loved, fear of not being what God wants us to be, etc.  There are thousands of stressors (fears) that the enemy has convinced us to worry about.  We cannot yield to the fears of this world because God tells us not to worry (Matthew 6:34).

Un-forgiveness – God wants us to forgive those who offend us (Matthew 6:14).  As we discussed in a previous message, there is at least a two-step process. First, we must forgive.  Second, we must ask God to forgive us for having un-forgiveness.  Also, we may need to ask forgiveness for bad mouthing this person.  Perhaps, there are many of us who need to forgive ourselves because of what we have done or have not done in the past.

Judgment/criticism – I lump these two together because where you have criticism, you will have judgment.  Criticism is bad mouthing whether it’s to a friend, family member or spouse.  Isn’t the reality shows on TV doing exactly this?  Who are we to judge (Matthew 7:1)?

Despair – Despair is actually hopelessness.  We as believers see the enemy attacking us and our loved ones over and over again.  At times we feel helpless not being able to do anything about the darkness.  Maybe you don’t see your walk with the Lord progressing to the level we would like.  Understand that Jesus is the light (John 8:12) and we are able to walk in the light.  Walking in the light means to know God and to understand that we can overcome the darkness with the power and authority given to us in Jesus name.  We must remain strong and keeping seeking God for answers.

Below are a few bullet point tidbits that may help you with a New Year’s commitment to God:

• First and foremost we must have a plan.  It starts with getting rid of your old nature and making a commitment to take your walk with the Lord to another level. 
• Reading the Word of God is the most important thing you can do to build a relationship with God.  The Word of God is God Himself (John 1:1).  Reading the Word of God is an opportunity to know God in an overwhelming way.  Reading the word of God consistently will give you wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment.  The Bible comes alive to the reader in a way that is hard to describe.  Reading the Word of God will teach how to live, act and pray.  You will begin to hear from God and you will experience His presence within your body, mind (soul) and heart (Spirit).  With that presence you will have peace and comfort like never before.  Reading the Word will change your physical appearance.  People will see a change in your countenance that reflects the light of Jesus Christ.  With all these benefits, is there a reason why we are not immersed in the Word of God?  Can television, video games, or worldly things provide us with what the Bible provides?
• We must look at what we do with our time.  How much time do you devote to God?  Do you just give Him crumbs and expect Him to give you a feast?  There are 168 hours in a week.  How many hours do you give to God?  How much do you pray to Him?  Simply put, prayer is talking to God.  God hears every prayer and if we don’t pray, He can’t hear to answer our prayers.  He calls us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Are doing what Jesus did in His ministry?  How consistent are you in sharing the Gospel, casting out unclean spirits, speaking in the Spirit or healing?  Jesus is very clear on what he wants us to do in Mark 16:15-18.  This is not an option and He tells us He will be with us until the end of the age if we follow this commandment (Matthew 28:20).  It is mandated that we take this out to the market place to preach the Gospel and set the captives free.
• Are we accessing the Helper?  The Helper is there for every part of our life and especially our prayer life.  John’s Gospel introduces the Holy Spirit’s role in spiritual growth.  The New Birth and the baptism in the Holy Spirit furnish the believer with the life and gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the ability to pray in Spirit power.  The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, Helper, Advocate, and Guide.  He is our source of true spiritual understanding.  He lifts up Jesus and builds up believers, enabling them to live the Christian life.  The Holy Spirit is the power (Acts 1:8) that we received to help us overcome.

We all have an opportunity this day to take our relationship with God to a higher level.  It is time to change our ways and ask God to forgive us for not putting Him first.  We have to choose to follow God or follow the one who seeks to destroy us.  Our worldly ways are not working out as you can tell.  The choice should not be a hard one, but it is apparent how difficult it has been as the world continues to get darker by the day.

I pray that God be with you as you start on a new journey with Him.

Amen and Amen!

 

Galatians 6:4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression).

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.

John 8:12  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Mark 16 15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Matthew 28:20 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.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;