The Gospel

The Gospel

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Resolutions, Renewals and Resolve

Each new year we often sit down and reflect on the twelve months prior and look to make changes to our life and patterns. Most often we make this analysis on our own and list our top 3 areas of change.

The Bible tells us that we are deceptively wicked and given the chance we won't accurately look at our lives and hearts. In Philippians 3, Paul reminds us that we are tempted to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We may conclude that we have arrived, that we are perfect, that there is no more work left to be done. Paul left to his own abilities might have come to this conclusion as well. But the Holy Spirit had convicted and convinced Paul that there was still something left to be done.

This year I would encourage you to make resolutions a different way. First, Rather than making them yourself, ask a close friend or fellow follower of Christ what areas they think you need to grow in. Give them permission to be honest and open so that you are not deceived. Second, read through passages of scripture (Fruits of the Spirit, Proverbs 31, etc.) and see what areas Scripture illuminates for you that you could grow in. Third, resolve this year to pursue Christ more diligently and feverishly. That may mean casting aside habits and patterns that get in the way. It may mean cancelling your cable or cancelling your season tickets. Fourth, look for ways to renew your enthusiasm for the advancement of the Gospel in love for the lost and the love for the church. Paul said, let us press on for the prize. Are you running...are you crawling....have you stopped....Press on...

Now is the time for a fresh start...a new beginning...an exciting Journey.

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The Outpost - Bible Preaching (Brooke Taylor)