Making New Year's Resolutions

The new year is fast approaching. A new year arriving upon our calendars is often a time when people make new resolutions. I was pondering some resolutions I would like to make this year. As I was pondering, I thought it would be a good idea to see what the Scriptures said about making resolutions. I searched the word "resolve," and "resolved." Below are the relevant verses and some application to help.

-2 Thessalonians 2:11 states that resolves are fulfilled by God through prayer. Also resolves are to be made by faith, and for good. The purpose for resolves is that Jesus may be glorified in me.

-Daniel 1:8 states that Daniel's resolve was made so that he would not defile himself.

-Matthew 1:19-20 states that Joseph considered the things he resolved.

To "resolve" something is either to purpose to do, or not do a certain thing. This thing ought to be something that will not "defile" me. Before resolving something, I am to "consider" the thing first and not to make a hasty decision. Anything that is to be resolved is to fall into these categories.
1. It is to be made with the purpose of glorifying Jesus in me.
2. It is to be made for good.
3. It is to be made by faith.
4. It is to be consistently sought after by prayer.

Happy To Be Eating

"Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you." ~Psalm 128:1-2

Is meal-time at your house a happy time? It should be if you confess to fear the Lord. Either you worked to provide the money for the meal which is before you, or your hands worked in the kitchen making the meal which is now before you. Either way the meal is the labor of your hands.

Let your heart be filled the thankfulness this day as you gather your family around the table to eat the labor of your hands. Thankfulness will give birth to happiness; more than likely...

My Children Won't Rise Higher Than I

"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." -Jesus (Luke 6:40)

"Gulp!"

That's my first thought as I read that passage from Jesus. In all of our desire to shape and mold our children to be followers and disciples of Christ, they will end us being like "us" when they are perfectly trained. They will never rise above our righteousness. They will never rise higher than us while they are being trained by us. We are their instructors. "A disciple is not above his teacher." I know that my goal is to have them rise to a level that far surpasses my level of righteousness. The goal is to place my children's hand into the hand of the Master and Perfect Teacher of righteousness. While in His school they have the opportunity to rise to levels far higher then we could ever attain. Yet for now they are in our school, and with perfect training they will be like us.

"Gulp!"

What are you wearing today?

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord ; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10 ESV)

What does Isaiah give for a reason as to why he will greatly rejoice and exalt in The Lord? It is for his clothing. And what are those garments; salvation, and righteousness.

Our rejoicing ought to be for the same reasons. It is no less that we could rejoice if we clothed ourselves with our own salvation, then we could cloth ourselves with our own righteousness. The reason for rejoicing is that God has clothed us with both salvation and righteousness.

Where Do I Set My Mind?

If then 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. –Colossians 3:1–3

I do not know how it could be possible to set our mind on things that are not on this earth. Everything which surrounds us is on this earth. I am on this earth. The only possible way to set my mind on something above this earth is I suppose to gain knowledge of the things above this earth. And the only place I know of to truly learn of things above this earth is in the Bible. Therefore in order to obey this command to set my mind on things that are above, you and I must give ourselves to the study of the Scriptures. Anything less is disobedience.

Jesus Was Filled With Wisdom

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40 ESV)

How did Jesus “grow?” He would have grown by being fed regular meals, getting regular exercise through activity, and getting regular sleep. If these things would not have happened, Jesus would not have grown and became strong. You mean the Son of God had to eat, exercise and sleep in order to become strong–yes.

How did Jesus become “wise?” The text says that he was filled. This is something done to him, not by him. He was filled by a filler. And who do you suppose that filler was?

If the sinless Son of God needed to be taught wisdom through the means of his parents and his church, then how much more do yours and my children need filling?

People who do not grant their children the proper food, exercise, and sleep that they require end up going to jail for child endangerment. What becomes of the parent who neglects to fill their children with the wisdom that they require?