This is the time of year when people make various types of resolutions that they believe will shape up or improve a specific area of their life. They join gyms or buy exercise equipment in hopes to get their bodies in better shape. Some resolve to diet in order to lose weight by eating healthier. Others decide to make a budget not only to see where their money is going, but also to end the crazy cycle of paying late charges and interest fees.
All those resolutions are great but are typically short lived. If that has been true for you consider what I am about to propose. And for those of you who have been successful to carry out what you have resolved, but still have room for improvements, this one life changing resolution can help you improve in every area of your life.
Not often do we hear about people making a New Year’s resolution to draw closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ, by spending time in the Word and prayer. How sad that is because it is the one resolution that can cause one to shape up in every way.
This resolution is similar to a resolve to work out at the gym in that it requires much effort to do the exercises and one will experience some pain.
The scripture says in I Timothy 4:7&8, “… refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
If we can put our faith in this promise we will make that our resolution, above anything else.
We know that going to the gym will help us improve our bodies, if we diligently do the exercises. We know that going on a diet can help us lose weight, if we diligently follow the plan. And we know that making a budget and diligently following it will help us to obtain a healthy credit score and bank account.
However, according to the Word, any of these profit us little. Let’s make a resolution to do that which can profit us in all things pertaining to life, both now and eternally.
The daily exercises for that looks something like reading the Word…not just a devotional guide but rather becoming familiar with your own Bible. Spending time in prayer…not just talking to the Lord but taking time to listen to what He would say to you. And, worshiping in song.
Though reading and praying is a form of worship there is something powerful that happens when we lift our voices up to praise Him for who He is and what He has done for us.
Let the meditation of your heart be Him and you will see how quickly you shape up in every area of your life.
Let me hear from you in this New Year!!!!!!
Many Blessings,
Dr. Terry