This Year Choose To Be Resolute

Wow, here we are but once again celebrating New Years. How many kept their resolutions this year? How many said; “this year no matter what, we’re going to do this and that” and somehow everything but this and that, once again has managed to get accomplished!

I have a challenge for you this year, instead of making resolutions this year why not choose to be resolute about a few of the most important things you know you should be doing with your time.

I challenge you this year to be resolute in growing your relationship with Jesus and telling others about what your growing!

Not a resolution, but the choice to be resolute about the most important aspect of your life!

Resolute defined: admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

synonyms: resolved, adamant, single-minded, firm, unswerving

Illus. By Jim Crane

Someone has written that there are four kinds of bones in the world.

The WISH BONES who spend their time wishing someone else would do the work;

The JAW BONES who do all the talking, but very little else;

The KNUCKLE BONES who knock everything that anyone else is trying to do;

The BACK BONES who shoulder the load and do the work;

Three out of four, would be guilty of at least I believe what it’s called, procrastination!

Everyone who has ever breathed, is guilty of some type of procrastinating.

I suppose you could apply that, to almost every kind of task in the history of the world. Because almost every kind of task ever thought of involves labor, right?

The last thing Jesus ever said and did when He left this earth, was to challenge every Christian who would ever become one, with a task to spread the Gospel message!

Matthew 28:19-20 The Message (MSG)

18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

While some Christians have done more than their fair share, far far too many have not. Oh the excuses are many and all seem valid to the one making the argument as to why they haven’t did more to advance the “Kingdom of God”

But the words, the charge and request of Jesus has never stopped trying to achieve their intended purpose and never will, until one Day the devil is banished to hell forever!

Makes me think of a line from an old song, “what have you done for me lately?” When you look at the condition of the world, it doesn’t seem clear as to what we really have done to advance the Kingdom of God lately, does it?

Life teaches us all about setting priorities doesn’t it? When you’re young, your priorities are different than they are and when you are older. Mainly because when you’re young, your responsibilities are few.

We often say, back in the old days we would just take the afternoon off and go fishing. Back in the old days, a person doesn’t have as many things do they?

The more you obtain, the more responsibility comes with what you acquire!

All ages of people through all the ages of time, have faced the same dilemma.

And that dilemma is, “ priority setting” How many have ever heard the old saying, “if you want something done ask a busy person to do it, because they’ll get it done.”

Some are better at setting and keeping priorities and juggling life than others are, that’s for sure! Some choose to indulge in things that all but alleviate their responsibilities at all.

The same can be said about our spiritual responsibilities and has been the case throughout all the ages! God knows better than anyone else about human nature, that’s why Jesus gave the charge to all mankind and has never withdrawn the request!

Illus. Contributed by Paul Humphrey

Sez I to myself, as I grumbled and growled,

Im sick of my church, and then how I scowled.

The members unfriendly, the sermons too long;

In fact, it seems that everything’s wrong.

I don’t like the singing; the church a disgrace

For signs of neglect are all over the place.

I’ll quit going there, and wont give a dime;

I can make better use of my money and time

Then my conscience sez to me, sez he

The trouble with you is, youre blind to see

That your church reflects you, whatever it be

Now come, pray and serve cheerfully

Stop all your faultfinding and boost it up strong;