I’ve decided to make a single resolution for 2013.
I resolve to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, that I may demonstrate more consistently the Fruit of the Spirit.
No, this is not some hyper-spiritual, Christianese, “Jesus Juke” remark.
This is genuine.
I’ve come to this conclusion:
- All the things I have ever resolved to do in the past I have utterly failed to accomplish fairly quickly,
- I can’t do anything in my own strength that will have an eternal impact, and
- Any worthy resolutions can only truly be accomplished if God changes me.
Why don’t I exercise? I’m lazy.
Why do I eat too much? I lack self control.
Why do I not read as much as I should/could? Again, laziness.
Why don’t I spend more time getting to really know the people around me? I’m not as kind, good, and loving as I should be.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
(Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT)
Most of us don’t have the impact we could on this world because we are too self-focused.
I want this to see this changed in my life, and only God can do that.
As a result, my wife and I prayed for God to plan our New Years Day.
We kicked off the New Year with a great day helping some good friends get some much needed work done. They decided to thank us with lunch at McGuire’s Irish Pub (unnecessary, but I didn’t argue).
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
(John 15:13 NLT)
Life is found in giving your life away!
I’m glad that Brooke and I were able to start the year off right—serving.
With true surrender to the Holy Spirit, we will experience a change in our lives we never thought possible… and that’s usually because we often think too highly of ourselves.
Believing for change!
Steve
- How about you? Have you ever failed to fulfill any resolutions?
- How about any successes?
P.S. Please ignore any commercials that may appear below. 🙂
Comments on: "2013 Resolution" (2)
First of all I resolve to “be a doer of the word.” From some what I consider very good research and study in the Hebraic Roots I resolve to obey the Biblical patterns and commandments, such as is instructed in Leviticus 23. These “Feasts” foreshadow every major event of Christ. I learned that, for example the “New Year” is around Passover, and not as we celebrate today. What we celebrate is a pagan type deity from ancient times. Some God called “Janus.” Also, I believe that many of the “holiday traditions” that are popular are just counterfeits. See Double Portion Inheritance (Maria Merola) and her teachings on this; plus a good DVD on this is Truth or Tration… by Jim Staley; Passion For Truth Ministries.
[…] is one of the reasons why, apart from my resolution to be changed by the Holy Spirit, my only other resolution was to do everything in my strength to not get involved in political […]