What is Your New Year’s Resolution?
Good Morning Friends,
Today as this year ends and another begins we look back and discover that we have the assurance from the God, who has brought us this far, to take us on a new adventure in 2016. We celebrate endings and beginnings on a grand scale and an intimate personal one. It is a time we can stand with our feet on the earth and our head in the sky and break free from the past… we can focus on the things that are eternal…we can put on a new self… we can experience the freedom from those things that have shackled us… we can choose to do something that glorifies God. What is Your New Year’s Resolution?
Scripture: After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, “My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses.
Joshua 1:1-3 (NRSV)
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:25-31 (NRSV)
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 (NRSV)
Message: Today we look at beginnings and ending and the hope of a New Year in the light of three scripture passages that can help us make better New Year’s resolutions. We take a snippet of Joshua and his entry into the Promised Land. We explore the 8th Chapter of Romans to connect purpose with promises and we dive into the word made flesh in scripture from Colossians as we realize that one year ending and another dying is like the revelation that we are to die and be reborn in the glory of Christ.
First let me point out that we have the same assurances that Joshua received as he entered the Promised Land. We too can trust God to see us through any trouble we face as one thing ends and another begins… As Jehovah delivers Joshua so too He can deliver us into the New Year. Here we can see room for improvement but also experience contentment. Here we can see frameworks to help us succeed. Here we discover, as we did in 2015, the faithfulness of God to be with us. Here we discover a path to prosperity by simply believing in the promises of God.
The 8th chapter of Romans sets forth one of the most profound ideas in the New Testament. In it Paul teaches that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit bears witness that we are heirs of God…heirs of Christ if we join Him in suffering…suffering in the tension of our relationship to Christ in the world. Paul rejoiced in the suffering for here in Christ he discovered that there is no such a thing as a hopeless situation. Here he discovered that hope turns our eyes away from our pain to God’s glory and becomes stronger the more hopeless the situation. Here he teaches that all things will work together for good for those who love the Lord and are guided by faith in our calling to His purpose of life.
Colossians further connect this theme of beginnings and endings. And here it is clear that the big picture is not about us, it is about God’s purpose in our lives. What we really want for a New Year’s Resolution is shalom…peace that comes from a relationship with God. It is not the absence of conflict but the universal hope in a world that embraces His creative order. So will we rest in His peace in the upcoming year? Will we resolve to spend more time with Christ in 2016? After all is said, He is the only one who will change us. Jesus’ Spirit is the only one who will give us the comfort and conviction to have the resolve to have a resolution.
Pray that we might rest in the Lord. Pray that we might work in the Spirit and will of God. Pray that culture not convince us of what is important. Pray that with honesty, thanks and praise we realize 2016 is not ours but the Lord’s. Pray that by this time next year we will be more compassionate, kinder, more humble, gentler, and more patient. Pray that His forgiveness turns us into forgivers. Pray that His love turns us into lovers that love regardless of whether we are loved. Pray that we realize that the world is not ours but only ours to enjoy. Pray that God will show us the way. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bear witness that we are children of God. Pray that we may go to the throne of Grace and ask for help desiring that same purpose to which we have been called.
Pray, as we face the New Year, that we place our trust and confidence in God so we can successfully inherit the blessings of the Christian life. Pray we conquer the enemies of the soul, with strength and courage, by believing in His promises. Pray we be content with what we have as we overcome our weaknesses and fears. Pray we pursue holiness and obedience treasuring scripture each day. Pray we practice the Word of God and that it lead us to an experience of God’s promises. Pray we be used by God. Pray we be changed. Pray we have a Happy New Year!
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 