Resolutions For 2012

Some years back I had always felt pressured to make New Year's resolutions.  After a few attempts, I realize that it just does not work. I have come to realize more recently why keeping those resolutions have been so hard.  I wonder, how many of us made new year’s resolutions for 2012? 

New year’s resolution accomplishes nothing much because it is made with the intention of accomplishing it in your own strength.  There are many things we can do in our own strength, however, if we lack health, we would accomplish less, or if we lack life, we would accomplish nothing. God gives us life, and for this reason we must acknowledge that we cannot do anything without God.  Even when we are really gifted in things that earns us a lot of money, or we know how to talk to people…we cannot be completely satisfied or fulfilled without living according to how God leads

How many of us have given our hearts to God, having ask for forgiveness of all our pass sins, asking Him to be Lord forever more of our lives?  How many of us are walking in all the blessings He has given to us?  Do we have peace, joy, hope, love?  How many of us are really allowing Jesus to show us how to live?  It does not matter what life threw at you, living life according to your own rules/standards/traditions  IS  going against God’s principles/standards for your life.  It may not always look like it, but at the heart level, that is what it is, and God looks at the heart. You cannot do your own thing and God’s at the same time.  Matthew 6: 24: ‘No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other…’ This was addressing money and stewardship, but the truth can be applied to all areas of life.  There are those of us, however, who try to play both sides. .   God calls those ones lukewarm.  I remember in primary school, my classmates around me would pop a joke.  I would listen, put my head down on the table, and laugh to my heart’s content; all this without shaking much or making noise.  When I lifted up my head, not a sign of laughter was on my face.  The teachers don’t see me laughing, so I don’t get into trouble, and I remain cool with my classmates because I enjoyed the joke.  I played both sides.  Who I was really loyal to was myself.  Playing both sides might seem safe, but it is not.  Remember God sees the heart.  He wants completed surrender.

Let us start this new year living how God wants us to live.  The attitude we need to change, the bad habit we need to stop, the pretense we always put up, the way we relate to those around us, keeping our priorities straight…whatever we know needs changing. 

Remember, to live how God wants us to live, we must consult Him constantly.  Ask Him what to do, ask Him what to say, in every situation.  Pray, pray and more prayer.  Living in obedience is not limited to character and heart change.  Although the most important thing is changing our heart, we must be obedient to God in all areas of our lives...in business, school, home, work, social life.

We must believe He can and will do for us what we ask.  Matthew 7: 7 says ‘Ask and it will be given you…’  Most times when Jesus is called upon to heal, he ask the person what do they want him to do for them, or if they believe He can.

We must seek after God to receive direction in life.  If not, we will do what we know how to do, or what someone else said is good to do, and most often it is contrary to what God wants for you.  ‘Seek and you will find…’

We cannot avoid taking risk.  God took the biggest risk creating us to be beings that need to have relationship with Him to live fulfilled lives, know full well that we can choose to fill it with something else. 

Remember God will not wait until you think you are schooled enough, mature enough, have enough money, have less responsibilities… before He leads you to do His will.  He will do so when He knows you are ready.

When God’s blessings begin to flow, do not forget where you were.  Help others.  We are to love God above all else and our neighbours as ourselves.

May 2012 be all that God desires for it to be.  Be obedient and stand firm.