Speaking the Truth in Love
New Year's Resolutions
This Year Resolve to:
1. Take control of your life (Joshua 24:14-15).
2. Study God's Word (Philippians 4:8, 2 Timothy 2:15). Rather than filling your life with worldly pursuits, take time to read what God wants you to do (Ephesians 5:15-16).
3. Stop taking for granted what men tell you about God and His Word. Check the Word yourself like those in Berea (Acts 17:11) and Samaria (John 4:40-43).
4. Overcome the temptation to want more and more riches and things (Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19, Mark 10:17-22).
5. Stop rationalizing sin in your own life (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, James 4:17) or blaming things you have done on other people (Genesis 3:1-13).
6. Stop overlooking sin in your own life, in your children's lives, in your family's lives, in your co-workers lives, and in your neighbor's lives (Ephesians 5:7-11). Overlooking sin will not help you or others (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
7. Stop searching in the world for the answers to life's problems and come to Jesus (John14:6).
8. If you see that you need to change to obey God - CHANGE (Matthew 5:6, 5:8)! Do what Paul and the Corinthians did (1 Timothy 1:12-16, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). No matter what sin you have committed, God is ready and willing to forgive (2 Peter 3:9).
9. Stop kidding yourself that you will go to Heaven even though you do not obey the Lord's commands (I John 5:1-4, John 14:15, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 20:11-15, James 1:22-23).
10. Decide to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11, 27-28, John 6:66-69).
WHY NOT START THE YEAR OFF BY MAKING YOUR LIFE RIGHT WITH GOD? There is nothing more important than pleasing Him (Matthew 16:26-27). There is no job, no girlfriend or boyfriend, no family member, no career, no possession, worth more than your soul. Why not reserve a place in Heaven tonight?"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16).
We hope you check all the scriptures we have mentioned for yourself, and if they prove to be true, we encourage you to obey them. "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."(James 4:10). See you next time on "Speaking the Truth in Love".
