From the Preacher’s Pen… Remember those New Year’s resolutions? A new year is always seen with optimism. We courageously make our resolutions without much of a backward glance at success or failure in times past. Yes, that will cause us to joke about previous resolutions that were unfulfilled, but it never seems to seriously diminish that new resolve. Of course, today those New Year’s resolutions are far behind us. In fact, it’s almost time to begin anew.
Actually, it IS a perfect time to begin anew! Today we begin our Gospel Meeting. Today we welcome James DuBose and his wife, Susie. We look forward to his lessons on fighting and winning the spiritual battle that is our earthly life. Wouldn’t NOW be a good time to renew our resolve?
I Am Resolved…
The song we sometimes sing says it well: I am resolved no longer to linger, Charmed by the world’s delight; Things that are higher, things that are nobler, These have allured my sight.
There are many good things that we may do with our lives. The earthly philanthropist, the heroic soldier or civilian may do many good things. But only in Jesus, only serving Him and the church He died for (see Ephesians 5:25) may we do the greater things. Terrorism and the events of 9/11 gave us all a new and much-improved standard for heroes. May we set our standards even higher, that we may no longer be enamored by lesser things. May we resolve to focus on Christ!
I am resolved to go to the Savior, Leaving my sin and strife; He is the true One, He is the just One, He has the words of life.
How sad when we allow earthly things to come between Christians. So often we are self-willed and self-centered, thinking that others (and even God) should do it my way. But Jesus calls us to leave our ways behind and take on His ways, His thoughts and His priorities. May we resolve that “it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
I am resolved to follow the Savior, Faithful and true each day, Heed what He says, do what He wills, He is the living way.
Recently I read an article about a TV psychologist proclaiming to all who would listen that modern psychology made people’s lives better by teaching them to deal with things one day at a time. What a load of nonsense! Jesus Christ was teaching God’s people to do that some 2000 years ago! (Read Matthew 6:25-33 for one example.)
The challenge for us is to live like He wants us to! Let’s resolve to help each other be faithful and true, obedient and living for Him one day at a time. Let us “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
I am resolved to enter the Kingdom, Leaving the paths of sin; Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, Still will I enter in.
Certainly, the challenges to our faithfulness will be there today, this month, this year. But victors are those who rise above the challenges. Let us resolve to be living, active parts of the Kingdom, the body of Christ today and always. Of course, this resolve needs to be renewed each day! But as long as we begin today we can be successful!
I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee!
Let’s go together, encouraging, loving and helping each one from youngest to oldest, large and small. Let’s resolve to make today our finest day of service to our Savior, to the lost and to each other… as long as it is still called “Today!” Let’s resolve together to hasten to Jesus!
— Lester P. Bagley
