Resolution #5:

The Apostle Paul told Timothy to not depend on  worldly fables to bring about the kind of Godly life that he needed to live.  The false teachers about which Paul warned had all kinds of plans for quick spirituality.  With modern communication those kind of ideas have proliferated beyond imagination.  This book, or that conference, or some spiritual sounding gimmick is offered as the cure for spiritual malaise.  To the extent that any of these resources are based in the truth of God's world they may be part of the answer.  None of them are the answer that, too often, their hype proclaims them to be.
Instead the Apostle told Timothy to "discipline himself for the purpose of godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7)  In the context he speaks of laboring and striving.  The word "discipline" speaks of intense activity.  Several translations use the verb "train," as an athlete in training, to render the word.  Bottom line there is no spiritual equivalent of a sit-on-the-couch-and-develop-awesome-abs pill.  You have to work at it.
Athletic training, the sports-fan apostle points out, yields little profit--benefits in this life, the kind of training Paul is recommending, however, "holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."  (4:8)
The disciplines we need to work on in our lives are not complicated or esoteric.  I have suggested several over the past few days.

• We need to spend regular time in God's word.
• We need to pray.
• We ought to be an active part of church that is based in the Word of God.
• We ought to actually be doing something for the glory of God.

Discipline yourself for the purpose of Godliness.  That is a resolution that covers a lot. 

Resolution #4:

Over the past several days I have been encouraging us to live more RESOLUTEly in the New Year.

There are things, however, we should not resolve.

• Don't resolve to change the world.
• Don't resolve to do what only others can do.
• Don't resolve to do the impossible.

Many of the specifics behind the intentions expressed in those resolutions are very good.

• Our world certainly needs to be a better place.
• The changes that others need to make are legion, and not of few of these modifications would be for their own good, as well as that of others--me included.
• Curing cancer, solving world hunger, getting all youngsters to treat their parents with respect, or getting all politicians to work for the greater good are certainly changes that would make the world a better place.  They are also well beyond the resources that any of us have at our disposal.

These kind of resolutions are akin to the sentiments of the guy who loved mankind;  it was the people around him he couldn't stand.  As we survey our world let's identify that which is within our capabilities--and I'm not saying we shouldn't stretch ourselves--then resolve to do that.  

Instead of:

• Resolving to change the world, make concrete plans to actually do something to make the little environment where you live a better place.  "I resolve to say 'Please," and 'Thank You,' even when I'm not in a particularly grateful mood."
• Resolving to make others (you fill in the blank with whatever good you choose), resolve to be kind, respectful, loving, grateful, etc. to them.
• Resolving to do the grandiose, and impossible, commit to doing that which is possible, might contribute to the big need, and which will be a good thing even if no one else does their part.

Many resolution are an exercise in hubris.  I shouldn't resolve to do what I can't do, or what others must do if it is to be done.  Above all I must realize James admonition,  "Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."" (James 4:15)  

Resolved:

In 2012 I will do what I can do, pray about both that and that which is beyond me, and trust God.

  

 It's STTA. 

You will find some ideas for having more meaningful devotions in the New Year here.

Resolution #3:

Paul's little letter to his protege',  Titus, is full of admonitions to do something that will make a difference in our world.  The operative word is "do."

In particular chapter 3 has a great deal to say about this:

• "Be ready for every good deed."  (1)
• To be "careful to engage in good deeds."  (8)
• To "learn to engage in good deeds."  (11)

As Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them."
What do our good deeds, or lack thereof, show about us? 

Resolved:  

In 2012 I will be watching for opportunities, preparing to engage in, and actually involved in doing GOOD DEEDS.

 

  

 It's STTA. 

You will find some ideas and resources for time in the Bible here.

Resolution #2

Now that most of you are back to work finishing up 2011, it is a good time to think ahead to the New Year.

What should I be doing in this New Year to make a difference for His glory?

Resolved:  

In 2012 I will be involved in both private and corporate (with God's people) prayer.

 

(You can practice this evening at the CBC prayer meeting, 7:00.)

  

 It's STTA. 

Resolution #1

Now that the flurry & JOY of Christmas is past, and the awareness that the Son of God has come into this world is fresh on my mind, what should I be doing in this New Year to make a difference for His glory?

Resolved:
 

In 2012 I will be involved in God's Word in a more meaningful way.

  

 It's STTA. 

You will find some ideas and resources for time in the Bible here.

Christmas, It's Providential:

Providence is God working in the background to accomplish what He wants done in the fore.
Consider the process by which Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem.  Luke, excellent historian that he is, records:

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus,

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem.

that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David," (Luke 2:1-4, NASB95)  

We can be sure that neither Caesar, nor any of his underlings had any interest in the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, but his decree accomplished just that.  More than half a millennium before Jesus birth Micah made the prediction made famous in the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem.   

. . . as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah . . . From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2, NASB95)  

Caesar wanted what all political rulers want--more tax.  Quirinius and the other functionaries wanted their cut and to toady up to Caesar so they could maintain their comfortable position.  In spite of the announcements by the Angels (Luke 1 and Matthew 1) I doubt that Joseph or Mary put it all together--"Oh, yeah, our son is going to be the Messiah.  Micah says he is supposed to born in Bethlehem.  That's what all this is about."  More likely their response was like yours or mine when we are forced to jump through some unreasonable bureaucratic hoop.  At this point I'll avoid putting unflattering words in the mouths of Mary and Joseph.
Bottom line:  Nobody on earth knew what was happening, but God was providentially accomplishing His will in totally unseen ways.
He still is. 

It's STTA. 

Click here to find out about life's greatest decision.

What if?

What if George Washington wasn't the first president of the United States?

Most of us believe that he was.  I've even been to Mount Vernon and seen his famous false teeth.  

But what if it is all a big conspiracy?  I mean it would be hard to come up with a more ideal Father of our Country.  Than the gentleman Northern Virginia.  What if it really is a hoax?  Somebody painted the portraits and wrote the diaries, even adding impressive folklore like the cherry tree and the dollar across the Delaware.

If I found out that George Washington wasn't the first president, I would be surprised, I'd instantly become ten pounds more skeptical, and I might even be a bit disappointed, but my Honda would still have a dead battery, my wife's car would still have an oil leak, I'd still have to pay my quarterly dues to the IRS, my grandkids would remain the most talented, best looking and smartest children in the world, and my knees would still be stiff.  In short little if anything would change.

  

On the other hand I totally identify with the Apostle Paul.  In1 Corinthians 15:14-19, he says, "If Christ has not been raised, then . . . we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 

That is the great difference between believing that George Washington was the first President, or merely believing that Jesus was the Son of God come to earth Who lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and came forth from the grave, and believing in Christ as my Savior.  In the latter case I am depending on this truth.  I am resting in it.

This Sunday is the final message in our John 3:16 series.  Have you put your trust in Christ's finished work in such a way that if it proves to be false you have no other hope?

It's STTA. 

Click here to find out more about belief.