New Year Resolution - Leave the Past Where It Is

The New Year is here!  A chance to START OVER and begin anew!  

The Apostle Paul states in Philippians verse 13-14, “but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

In order to move forward - we must remain unencumbered. No baggage allowed!   

There’s a familiar saying we’ll hear over and over again in the next week: “I’m making a New Year’s resolution to …” Well, I’ve decided to say, “I’m making a New Life resolution.”

The world view of resolutions run the gamut from diets and exercise, to spending and vices, manners and tempers, to everything in-between. As a Christian, I’m going to focus on “life style” resolutions that revolve around Christ and His example. Sure, we all have plenty of other things to work on, including those mentioned above. However, Jesus wants us to exhibit His qualities and attributes as we walk in this world. Our light needs to shine a bit brighter, and our salt needs to retain more saltiness as the days grow dimmer and more sinful (Matthew 5:13-16).

King David expressed his sentiments regarding the Lord’s leading. (Psalm 141:3-4) “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing…” (Psalm 143:8) “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.”

I want to resolve to walk in the path God has for me, and to guard my mouth and heart. I need God’s eye upon me, and His gentle hand of correction as I journey through this life. I rely more upon Him now than I did as a new believer. Year by year, I recognize His new mercies and faithfulness towards me. I am amazed at His forbearance with me as I fall short of His standard. Praise God there is no condemnation, but only love and encouragement through His Word.

The Apostle Paul instructs us to know Christ in an intimate way. That intimacy caused him to “press on and lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” (Philippians 3:10-12) We have a revelation from Christ that brings a fresh, spiritual comprehension, which in turn gives us apprehension to live out our Christianity with boldness. Our confidence cannot be in our flesh, but in the power of God. Look to Him with the expectation of what He can do in us and through us.

Isaiah called Israel to not dwell on the past - but to move forward towards God's promises of deliverance and a future of hope: "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

What a great lesson for the New Year and our “New Life” resolution. Look forward, not backwards. Keep your eye on Jesus and the heavenly goal. Pattern your new ideas and habits on what the Word teaches. Model yourself after your Maker and Master. Fix your gaze upon Jesus…He’s all you need to walk in the newness of life.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.   Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

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New Year Resolution - Leave the Past Where It Is

Has God Put You In "Time Out" ?

"My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either.  It's the child He loves that He disciplines; the child He embraces, He also corrects."   (Hebrews 12:5  MSG)

The point of discipline is to redirect or correct behavior that is inappropriate or unacceptable.

I know we’ve all been there.  God has just pricked our hearts via the Holy Spirit right after we let loose a barrage of hurtful words towards our spouse.  Or perhaps it was the uneasy feeling we had when we realized just how ungrateful we were acting after they had done something nice for us. 

How is it we usually know when we’ve just been disciplined by our Heavenly Father?

In the devotional “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers, this passage speaks to that very point:    Never quench the Spirit, and do not despise Him when He says to you – “Don’t be blind on this point anymore; you are not where you thought you were.”  …We get into sulks with God and say – “Oh, well, I can’t help it; I did pray and things did not turn out right…”

Are you giving the Holy Spirit opportunity to work on your attitude?  Do you allow the Word of God to penetrate and stir your thoughts?  Have godly friends approached you with concerns over your blatant petty actions?

The Apostle Paul struggled with things that we all deal with.  He knew God’s commands were necessary to help point us in the right direction.  However, he also knew that his flesh – his human nature – was at times getting the best of him.  Here’s how he frames the issue in Romans 7:18-23 – (The Message)

     For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

     It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

So what do you do when you first feel the pangs of conviction start to stir?

First of all, quit making excuses and own your sin.  Don’t be stiff-necked and un-pliable.  Let God chasten you for the purpose of spiritual maturing.  Embrace His gentle and loving rebuke.  In the end, it will “yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

Tender your heart… Still your mind… Open your ears…

Next time you’ve found yourself at odds with your mate over a matter that seems trivial, use discernment and wisdom that only God can give. The last thing you want to face is your Heavenly Father putting you in a well-deserved “time out”.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Has God Put You In "Time Out" ?