Making Resolutions Work

Most people make some type of resolution at this time of the year. Some are small and some are a huge but many of them never see it's fulfillment. The Bible gives some great advice to help people to make good on their resolutions. It is not easy to change and it is not easy when many distractions come our way as we try to fulfill those resolutions. Jeremiah 31:17 “There is hope for your future”. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” Philippians 3:13b-14 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Through these verses the Bible gives us some advice in dealing with the future and the changes we would like to see come into reality. A resolution is basically saying that I would like to see this change in my life. First, believe that change is possible. With God all things are possible and He has promised to be with us and to strengthen us therefore there is hope to bring about change. Without hope it is not likely one will continue to discipline themselves to make the changes necessary. We must see that the end result will be worth all the sacrifice needed within the process. That is why the apostle Paul said in Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Basically saying is heaven is worth working for regardless of any sacrifice we may have to go through.

Second, work on your relationship with the Lord throughout the process. One of our tendencies as humans is that we tend to think too much of ourselves at times which often then means that we are not trusting God the way we should be trusting Him. The way forward is one of humility and dependence upon the Lord as our help and strength. The big aspect of this truth is that man's way does not always work but God's way will always work. Therefore the key in life is learning how to do life God's way rather then our way. We are encouraged over and over to have faith in God, put our trust in the Lord or to wait upon the Lord for His time is right and good. I encourage you to make your resolution and then turn to the Lord for wisdom and guidance in how to make that resolution a reality.

Third, there will be distractions. The verse in Philippians 3:13-14 encourages us to forget what is behind and keep our eyes on what is ahead. Distractions will come in many different ways and forms and our enemy will use them to get us sidetracked from the things we should be doing. A great resolution that many make is to become a healthier Christian or to serve your church more or something along that line. Satan our enemy does not want you to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ therefore he will try to get your priorities mixed up or mess with your schedule so you do not have enough time or any number of things. Here is a couple of suggestions: realize any change takes time and do not become discouraged too quickly. Continue to do what is right and you will begin to see right results. Realize that in every effort to change there is the possibility of setbacks. All is not lost because of a minor stumble. Ask God to forgive and refresh your faith and desire to do life His way. Realize the necessary to keep your eyes looking forward. This at times is the hardest thing to do what the present reality seems so overwhelming but we must remember we go the direction that our eyes are focused. Therefore do not allow anything to keep you from keeping your eyes on Jesus who is the author and completer of your faith.

Much more could be said on this topic. I encourage you examine yourself and be willing to make that resolution that will improve your life. This can result in being one of your best years of your life as you learn to follow through on the commitments that you make with the Lord.

May the peace and love of Jesus Christ overshadow your life and strengthen you throughout 2012.

In His Service
Pastor John

New Year New Hope

Jeremiah 31:17 "There is hope for your future." I realize that this verse was written to the children of Israel during the time of captivity in which there was much hopelessness. The words spoken then though are as true today and here is why.
One, God has not changed. He has a plan for your life like He had a plan for Israel. The sins of Israel prevented that plan to be lived to its fullest and often that can be said of us as well. God continued to reach out to them in love and when they begin to respond to Him God begin to restore Israel as a nation. This is not happen over night but it did happen. Two, Jesus is our Lord and Savior. The scriptures teach that greater is He that is in us then he that is in the world. The promises of God are yes and amen in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus did not come to abolish the law and prophets but to complete them. We have promises of victory, freedom and fruitfulness that the world cannot stop when we live God's way. Repentance is a huge part for us to learn how to live life His way. Three, our past has already been written but our future is in the hands of God. This is one of the reasons the apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." God want us to be forward lookers which can be done when we place all our sins and failures at the cross of Christ. Forgive me Lord for not doing all You wanted me to do in 2011 and help me by Your grace, mercy and power to do the things that You want me to do 2012. I encourage you to take some time in the next couple of days to reflect upon last year and then put it in its proper perspective and then begin to dream what God wants you to do in 2012. He has great plans for you so do not dream too small. May big prayer is that I would live is such a manner that His favor and Presence would rest upon my life.
May the peace and love of God go with you.

Pastor John

Doing Good

I have been reading through II Chronicles during my devotional time and this morning II Chronicles 31:20 spoke to me. "This what hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord His God." One of the main thoughts as I have been reading through this book is the importance of finishing well. So many of the kings of Judah started out well but did not finish well. I have been praying lately 'Lord help me to finish well'. Then as I read this verse this morning it was like the answer to how to finish well which is do good, do what is right and be faithful all along during this before the Lord. Though Hezekiah had one incident of pride late in life he repented and finished well. One of the few kings that actually finish being faithful to the Lord. During this Christmas season we can be so focus on the story of Christmas that we are called upon to do good. This means when an opportunity arises to help someone that is exactly what we should do. We can get so focused on our own Christmas lists and plans that we neglect helping the poor. The Lord blesses generosity. The next on Hezekiah's list to do what is right. If we want the favor of God upon our life then we must do life His way which is doing what is right. Let's keep this as simple as we can, when we obey God our life will always go well. The third thing on Hezekiah's list is to be faithful before the Lord. This concept is being faithful to what God wants us to do and it is also referring to be faithful to our word and our calling in life. The first words I want to hear when I get to heaven is well done good and faithful servant. If we follow the pattern of King Hezekiah we will do well.
May His grace empower us to do good, do what is right and be faithful before the Lord all the days of our life.

Pastor John

Love: the focus of Christmas

Christmas is a great time of the year to refocus on some things. There are many who are trying to take the Christian symbols out of Christmas or renaming this time as just the holidays. Whatever one may try or think Jesus is the central theme of Christmas and that will not change. If there were no Jesus there would not be a Christmas. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..." Jesus Christ. It was love, the Father's love that made Christmas possible. It was His love that Jesus came into the world. It was His love that sent the angels to declare on the day of His birth, "we bring you Good News". It was love of nurturing parents that Jesus matured and it was love for His Father that Jesus fulfilled the will of God by dying on the cross. It was love that raised Jesus from the grave. It was love that made this all possible. Therefore when you gather for all your Christmas activities this year may you be reminded that it was and is all about love that made this season possible. Let us then love in a similar manner by focusing on others and not on whay you may receive. Let us take some time and meditate on that love so as to grasp a bit more just how much the Father loves us.
May the love of the Father, the mercy of the Son and peace of the Holy Spirit be with you this Christmas season.

Pastor John

Times of refreshing

I received an email and a phone call this morning that reminded me that the holidays is not a pleasant time for everyone. There are some people facing a variety of medical issues that bring into question or not if this will be their last Christmas. There are people who lose their loved ones. In fact I lost my dad about this time in December nearly 25 years ago and Sharon lost her dad between Christmas and New Years Day. These situations cause stress and much uncertainity. Then they are some among that wonder if they will ever find another job. I do not want to be negative but paint a picture of reality that there are many among us that need a time of refreshing. Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord". I am not ssying that a person's present situation is due to personal sin but I am saying we need to turn to God who love us and promised to be with us. One of truths of scripture is that when someone needs a time of refreshing that not only will God help you but He will often send another person as His agent of refreshing. Let us be open to the Lord during this time to see how God may used us to bring about refreshing to someone in need. Proverbs 11:25 "A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." All us at one time or another are in need of refreshing. Let us be open to the Lord to bring refreshing to others then when we are in need can have the confidence that we will be refreshed.

May the Gof of all love and peace guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Pastor John