2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Did you make any New Year resolutions? Are you managing to honor them several weeks into January?
If failure is already rearing its ugly head, you're not alone.
And failure is why I quit making resolutions many years ago. How disheartening it is when I have grandiose plans for changes and improvements in my life, only to have them crash and burn.
As I ponder why so many resolutions fall by the wayside, I have a revelation. My former desires involved me, myself and I. God was absent from the equation.
Yes, we may want to lose that weight, maintain a healthier lifestyle, keep in better touch with family and friends, but if God isn't the architect of these longings, we don't have a prayer.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that in Christ, we are new creations - blessed and loved and set apart - by the God who loved us all so much that He was willing to give His only Son to cleanse us from sin, and reassure us that we are heirs to the eternal life Jesus has promised.
If that knowledge doesn't make us feel new and revived in the New Year, then I don't know what can!
Maybe, friends, that's the only resolution we need.
We are loved.
We are redeemed.
We are made new.
Let us resolve, then, to let God guide and provide in all that comes our way in 2020.
It's the most resolute of resolutions.
And one that will never fail.
Amen!
Agreed ... great resolution. But it requires trust. Real trust in God. Unfailing trust. At all times. Especially when things go wrong in life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post yet again, Martha. Thanx. God bless.
Yes, Victor, it does require great trust, but that is one of my words for 2020, the other being "submit." And we both know things will go wrong in this life, so whom better to count on than God?
DeleteLove and blessings!
And I will put my stamp of approval on that. I don't do resolutions but I do want to let God guide my year in all things.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bill! May God ever be our guide.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Determination and perseverance can only get you so far... At the end of the day... and my life, what really matters is what God puts before and accomplishes through me.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ryan, absolutely! God can accomplish many things through us if we resolve to put Him first.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen.
ReplyDeleteI have been guilty of making resolutions and not keeping them so I too do not do so anymore. Being loved’ redeemed, and made new are blessings and treasures we can take with us every year! Hoping your year is filled with excitement and God uses you greatly Martha.😀❤️🌹👍🙏
ReplyDeleteThank you, Valerie, for the well wishes for the new year. I pray yours is filled with God's love and presence!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I don't make resolutions anymore (never did) and agree with you here! Great post and reminder, Martha Jane!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked the post today, Terri!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I've always loved that passage in Corinthians and since I never make resolutions either, this is the only truth I need to hold on to! God continues to make me new! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is such a wonderful passage in Scripture, Karen. Such a wonderful promise that Jesus will make us new!
DeleteLove and blessings!
"Resolute of resolutions", oh, Amen! "In ALL that comes our way". Wonderful post, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane! May we all be resolute in all that does come our way in 2020.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Great point of view! I've about finalized my 2020 Vision Board, but I feel this phrase needs added. Not as a postscript, but a headline:
ReplyDelete"Let us resolve, then, to let God guide and provide in all that comes our way in 2020."
Oh, Myra, I love, love, love your headline for your vision board! Yes! God will guide and provide, if only we will let Him. You go for it, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, how very true this is. I no longer make resolutions either. We know how God wants us to behave, and that is to loveHim above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we do those things, then; you will be the best best YOU can be. Thank you, Martha, always for your encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteLoving God, and our neighbors as ourselves, are the greatest commandments, Nells, and I'm so glad you've reiterated them here, reminding the readers of where the compass directions point. Our only resolutions should be to love God and love our neighbors without hindrance!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I don't make resolutions anymore either. But I do have some goals for the New Year that I pray God will guide me to accomplish within His will. And my "One Word", Joyful, is a challenge to look for the joy in every situation each day. That helps me to live a happier, more content, joyful life!! Without the Lord by our side, we could never accomplish anything worthwhile!!
ReplyDeleteHow I love your word for the year, Pamela! It will cause you to look for the joy in each new day, no matter what the circumstances.
DeleteAnd to accomplish anything worthwhile, we do have to submit to and trust in God's will for our lives.
Love and blessings!
Amen! I do not make resolutions, never did. I do make plans though and set some deadlines for myself, because if I don't, I have a tendency to procrastinate :)
ReplyDeleteMaking plans and setting deadlines are both worthy goals, Marja. Yes, I think we all tend to procrastinate when we don't have a solid time line in place.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I know what you mean. I quit making them a while ago, too, because it seems knowing they were in place only set me up for failure. Who needs to feel like more of a failure? Instead of making them once a year, I just do my utmost to follow Jesus as closely as I can all through the year. One day at a time is all I can handle, and I don't do that very well. It is only through Him, as you said. Oh, how I need Him!
ReplyDeleteOh, how we all need Jesus, Cheryl! He never wants us to feel like failures; He wants us to know that in our weakness, He will make us strong. I'm depending upon that more than ever these days, and that's a good thing! Sounds like you, my friend, are doing the same thing.
DeleteLove and blessings!
So good, Martha. The only resolution we need is to let God be in charge. I don't usually make resolutions, but that is one I can get behind!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Laurie! We can all get behind that resolution.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, focusing on and living for the Lord in the whole of life is the most important thing we can do. While I don't make resolutions, I do set goals. Some goals focus on growing in faith (and growing as a person too) and others focus on overall well-being.
ReplyDeleteEven goal setting can be risky, especially if it's not done with care. So far, I'm holding my own on many of the goals.
Love and blessings!
Goal setting is a great idea, Kim, as we can accomplish those a little at a time, not holding ourselves to standards too demanding in the moment. And you're so right - focusing on and living for the Lord is the most important thing we can do each and every day.
DeleteLove and blessings!
amen!! love your play with words about resolute on resolution. easy to remember and i will!! have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the play on words, Jean. You have a wonderful weekend, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!