Resolutions
Let’s see, fireworks, black-eyed peas, playing games until midnight, football games, the Rose
Bowl Parade and resolutions; yes, it must be a new year. Each of us has our own traditions that
we enjoy on this holiday. I didn’t eat my peas, I watched about five minutes of the parade,
enjoyed a get-together at the church building and watched a little football, but that was about the
extent of my celebration this year.
As usual, I have a few resolutions to make for the year. As usual, I plan on losing some more
weight. I want to do a better job at several things I didn’t do as well as I wanted in 2012. But, I
am in good company as most of us make resolutions this time of year.
What are some things we can change? One is our attitude. People usually have no problem
determining if we are happy or sad, especially if they know us well. Are we manifesting
happiness in our lives? Happiness is a choice and is not determined by external sources. We may
choose to allow these sources to make us unhappy, but that is our choice. Another change can be
manifested in our studying and reading habits. If we resolve (and follow through with it) to be
more studious and read our Bibles more, improvement will be made if we apply what we learn.
A third change can be seen in an improved prayer life. All too often we attempt to handle things
on our own merit/strength. Let us resolve to approach God in prayer, both in difficult times and
to simply praise Him for the things with which He has blessed us.
May we never be seen as those who deny the need to “improve” ourselves. May that especially
be the case regarding spiritual matters.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – The New Year
Introduction – James 4:13-14; Psa. 90:2
- Time – Job 14:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:22-25
- Inventory – Psa. 65:11
- Lay Aside the Weight – Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:1-3; Rev. 3:15-16; 1 Jno. 2:15-17; Matt. 13:45-46
- Resolutions – 1 Pet. 2:2, 21; 1 Tim. 4:13; 1 Thes. 5:17-18; James 4:7-8; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 14:19