Resolve for Good

We are in the habit of resolving to do good things. Every New Year we make resolutions to things which are good for us and those which are good for others. Often, we quickly find out that we are not up to the task of completing our resolutions. We have every intention of doing these good things, but we can’t follow through. We are, in fact, missing the key ingredient to doing all good things.

My prayer for you today is found in II Thessalonians 1:11-12, “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” God is the one who works in us to make us worthy of His calling. He also works in us to fulfill our desires to do good and to do mighty works of faith. His work in us glorifies Him and we experience some of the glory of Jesus Christ.

Facing a Problem

What is the first thing that you do when facing a problem? Do you research the problem and possible solutions? Or do you forge ahead, thinking that your experience and know-how will solve the issue? Perhaps you turn to a trusted friend or someone who has already faced this problem. Or maybe you just break down and try to hide from it. We try to find weapons to handle the battles that we face.

Psalm 20:6-7 says, “Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” This Psalm was written as a celebration before the soldiers went into battle. They declared that they placed their trust in the Lord and not in their weapons. When we are facing trouble, we can choose to place our faith in our own abilities and experiences, or we can choose to trust God’s unlimited power and wisdom to lead us to overcome our struggles.

Joshua Spoke To God’s People

God had His the people out of slavery in Egypt through a series of mighty miracles. God then led them through the wilderness for forty years. And finally, He fought for them and gave them the land. After all this, Joshua gathers the people and speaks to them, knowing that he will soon leave them. Joshua recounts the miracles that God has done for them and reminds them of their own failures to follow God. At the end of his speech, Joshua says, “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.” To serve God with sincerity means to be free from efforts to make ourselves proud, using deceit, or to cover our weaknesses. To serve God with faithfulness means to be steadfast in our affection and loyalty to Him, as well as to be firm in fulfilling our commitments to Him.Joshua commands the people to decide on that day whom they will serve. He adds His own commitment by saying, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” We all must make the choice of whom we will serve. Will we choose to serve ourselves through selfishness? Or will we choose to follow God and serve Him with sincerity and faithfulness? Our choice has eternal consequences or rewards. So choose with careful thought and commitment.

Walk In The Light

I have noticed that my eyes have a difficult time adjusting from darkness to light, and vice versa. When I leave my house or even a store to go outside when it is light out, I sneeze three times, until my eyes adjust to the glare. Similarly when I go from a lighted room to a dark room, I really can’t see much until my eyes adjust. We generally operate much better in lighted areas.

I John 1:5,7 says, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” It is difficult to walk in the dark. Unseen obstacles trip us up and progress is slow or nonexistent. In the same way, it is difficult for us to walk apart from God, as He is the Light. Walking in God’s light mitigates the unseen obstacles, allowing us to grow in godliness and spiritual strength. It also allows us to receive the support and encouragement of other believers. God’s light dispels the darkness of evil that surrounds us and empowers us to be lights for a fallen world.

Faith Is…

Some people profess to reject faith in favor of evidence and facts. Yet, they live by faith everyday and in numerous ways. Here are some of my thoughts about faith:

  • Fear is the glue that keeps us stuck, faith is the solvent that sets us free.
  • We never know what God can do for us, until we trust Him enough to give Him a chance.
  • When God’s omnipotence connects with our impotence, the unimaginable occurs.
  • Only through faith can we be freed from fear.
  • Hebrews 11:1,6 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” We never know what God can do for us, until we trust Him enough to give Him a chance. When God’s almighty power connects with our humble trust, the unimaginable occurs.