Keeping those New Year Resolutions
27/01/12 Filed in: New Year
We are now well into the New year. A year full of possibility and opportunity. 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. 8760 hours. 525, 600 minutes and 31,536,000 seconds. (You didn’t think I could do that much maths did you? 
However you might want to check those figures for yourself.) What will each of us do with all this time?
Some people will have made new year resolutions and about now is the time when those same resolutions are being broken. It is estimated that only 2 out of 10 of us who make resolutions keep them for more than a month. In the dictionary resolution is defined as “a course of action decided upon; a fixed purpose.”
If we are interested in keeping any of our resolutions this year, maybe we should consider following the advice that Paul speaks about in Philippians 3:12-14.
“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.... Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet!
Let’s briefly analyse the advice contained in these words:
Some people will have made new year resolutions and about now is the time when those same resolutions are being broken. It is estimated that only 2 out of 10 of us who make resolutions keep them for more than a month. In the dictionary resolution is defined as “a course of action decided upon; a fixed purpose.”
If we are interested in keeping any of our resolutions this year, maybe we should consider following the advice that Paul speaks about in Philippians 3:12-14.
“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.... Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet!
Let’s briefly analyse the advice contained in these words:
- Admit you have made mistakes but that you want to change.
- “I’m not turning back” (v13) Paul is talking about forgetting in such a way that the past, good or bad, will have no negative bearing on one’s present spiritual growth and life. Forget the wrongs that could paralyze you with guilt and despair. In order to make solid resolutions we have to put the failures of previous attempts behind us.
- Make a plan and put it into action. “Keep focussed on the goal” (v13)
- Concentrating on a solid plan will help to make our resolutions more of a reality.
- Organise your activities around your goals - “total commitment” (v14): for example if your goal is to spend more time with my daughter than be specific about ways you can do that. Maybe not just take her to football but offer to help the football team in some way. Sharing her passion and interests will go a long way towards making your time together really rewarding quality time. Schedule time in your diary for these activities to happen or it simply won’t happen.
- Give priority to those scheduled events. There will always be household jobs to finish, extra work to be looked at or another TV programme to watch. If you mean it then put your resolution plans high on your priority list.
Advent Calendar thought - December 24
We made it! The last thought before Christmas morning. If you have enjoyed the series then please do contact me and let me know what you found enjoyable and helpful.
As we will be opening presents tomorrow, let’s finish with the gifts the wise men brought.
For me they were wise to the end in their devotion (Matthew 2:11)
When at last they had found the Christ, they bowed down and worshipped him. They presented him with gifts. To be truly wise is to recognise that it is not enough to discover who Christ is or even what he has done. We also need to give ourselves to him in faith and worship. With their gifts the wise men gave:
A Gift Worthy of His Lordship – Gold
Gold has obvious worth. It is a gift fit for royalty. God deserves the very best that we can bring in our hand and hearts.
A Gift Worthy of His Holiness – Frankincense
Frankincense is mentioned 17 times in the Bible. It was used as one of four sweet scents compounded together to make the ceremonial incense of the Jews. Frankincense was used in both sacrifices and prayer. Its aroma was always present in the Temple grounds.
So frankincense symbolised praise and worship of Christ as the Holy One of God
A Gift Worthy of His Sacrifice – Myrrh
Myrrh is an aromatic resinous gum obtained from several trees and shrubs found in both northern Africa and throughout the entire Middle East. It was used in Egypt in the embalming process of mummification. There are 22 references to myrrh in the Bible. Myrrh was used to anoint every part of the tabernacle in the
wilderness. It was myrrh that was poured out on the feet of Jesus just a week before his death. How prophetic to have myrrh as one of the gifts presented to him at his birth – this child was born to die. In Matthew 1:21 it says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins”.
Christmas is sharing our gifts, not purchasing gifts. It’s not wrapping presents, it’s being present and loving those who love you and those who have no one to love them. It’s not getting cards out on time. It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time throughout the year. It’s not having the biggest and best display of Christmas lights, it’s displaying the light of Christ to lighten up others lives. It’s not Santa coming down the chimney, it’s Jesus coming down from heaven and giving us the gift of eternal life.
I pray that you may experience a very happy Christmas and a wise New Year.
Rosemary.
As we will be opening presents tomorrow, let’s finish with the gifts the wise men brought.
For me they were wise to the end in their devotion (Matthew 2:11)
When at last they had found the Christ, they bowed down and worshipped him. They presented him with gifts. To be truly wise is to recognise that it is not enough to discover who Christ is or even what he has done. We also need to give ourselves to him in faith and worship. With their gifts the wise men gave:
A Gift Worthy of His Lordship – Gold
Gold has obvious worth. It is a gift fit for royalty. God deserves the very best that we can bring in our hand and hearts.
A Gift Worthy of His Holiness – Frankincense
Frankincense is mentioned 17 times in the Bible. It was used as one of four sweet scents compounded together to make the ceremonial incense of the Jews. Frankincense was used in both sacrifices and prayer. Its aroma was always present in the Temple grounds.
So frankincense symbolised praise and worship of Christ as the Holy One of God
A Gift Worthy of His Sacrifice – Myrrh
Myrrh is an aromatic resinous gum obtained from several trees and shrubs found in both northern Africa and throughout the entire Middle East. It was used in Egypt in the embalming process of mummification. There are 22 references to myrrh in the Bible. Myrrh was used to anoint every part of the tabernacle in the
Christmas is sharing our gifts, not purchasing gifts. It’s not wrapping presents, it’s being present and loving those who love you and those who have no one to love them. It’s not getting cards out on time. It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time throughout the year. It’s not having the biggest and best display of Christmas lights, it’s displaying the light of Christ to lighten up others lives. It’s not Santa coming down the chimney, it’s Jesus coming down from heaven and giving us the gift of eternal life.
I pray that you may experience a very happy Christmas and a wise New Year.
Rosemary.
Advent Calendar thought - December 23
(some of the thoughts today come from Michael Davidson)
There is so much about the wise men that remains a mystery. They appear to have been highly educated, wealthy men but as far as the Bible is concerned we have only two facts about them: they came from the east and they were wise. What was it that made them so wise?
They were wise in their decision to search for Jesus. They recognized God at work in the world surrounding them. They recognized God at work In The Word (the Bible). At the time when these wise men made their search the Old Testament would have been available to them. We have no way of knowing just how much they had actually read but they had to have enough knowledge of scripture to know that a “Messiah” was coming. They didn’t have all the answers, but they had enough to give them a desire for more. They had enough to decide to begin their search.
I think they were wise in their determination to complete their search. I discovered that they may have had to travel up to 1000 miles on their journey. In Matthew 2:16 we are told that Herod decided to kill all boy children 2 years old and younger so apparently from the time the star first appeared it took them almost two years to locate where Christ was. That means they were determined to search until they found the answer. This wasn’t a religious fad. Nor was it a whim of the moment – They would see their search through to the end.
Are you determined like that in your spiritual search? If you would like to know more then why not journey with us at the Watering Hole getting to know more about God?
(Picture from the Brooklyn Museum)
There is so much about the wise men that remains a mystery. They appear to have been highly educated, wealthy men but as far as the Bible is concerned we have only two facts about them: they came from the east and they were wise. What was it that made them so wise?
They were wise in their decision to search for Jesus. They recognized God at work in the world surrounding them. They recognized God at work In The Word (the Bible). At the time when these wise men made their search the Old Testament would have been available to them. We have no way of knowing just how much they had actually read but they had to have enough knowledge of scripture to know that a “Messiah” was coming. They didn’t have all the answers, but they had enough to give them a desire for more. They had enough to decide to begin their search.
I think they were wise in their determination to complete their search. I discovered that they may have had to travel up to 1000 miles on their journey. In Matthew 2:16 we are told that Herod decided to kill all boy children 2 years old and younger so apparently from the time the star first appeared it took them almost two years to locate where Christ was. That means they were determined to search until they found the answer. This wasn’t a religious fad. Nor was it a whim of the moment – They would see their search through to the end.
Are you determined like that in your spiritual search? If you would like to know more then why not journey with us at the Watering Hole getting to know more about God?
(Picture from the Brooklyn Museum)
Advent Calendar thought - December 22
When Jesus came to earth as a baby, God made sure that all sorts of people heard the good news in a variety of ways. Mostly these people were not the ones we would have chosen to receive the good news Those that we would expect to hear the news were too busy or too blinkered to do so and so they missed out on an amazing experience.
An unmarried teenager had a personal visit from an angel; Joseph, the future step-dad had the news given to him in a dream; the shepherds got a full on spectacular display in the sky. The angels sang about this good news being “for all mankind”. Wisemen from as far away as Persia discovered the news by studying the stars but then had to make a long, involved and potentially dangerous journey to understand the news more fully.
How did you first hear the good news that God cared enough for you to send Jesus to this world as a baby who would grow up to be a man passionately interested in people before finally giving His life for people everywhere?
God still speaks powerfully to people as they go about their everyday tasks. He wants to talk to you today. Will you have listening ears?
How did you first hear the good news that God cared enough for you to send Jesus to this world as a baby who would grow up to be a man passionately interested in people before finally giving His life for people everywhere?
God still speaks powerfully to people as they go about their everyday tasks. He wants to talk to you today. Will you have listening ears?
Advent Calendar thought - December 21
Continuing with our carol theme, I heard a really beautiful one the other day called “I heard the bells”. If you haven’t heard the carol before you can listen to it on youtube.com by clicking here.
The background to this carol shows how the words the angels sang to the shepherds all those years ago still have power to bring peace into our lives. This carol was originally a poem by Longfellow, written during the American Civil War and not long after his wife had been killed. In addition his son had been fatally wounded. If this wasn’t enough their house then burned down. In despair he writes this poem. I love the fact that in spite of it all he hangs on, knowing one day peace and goodwlll to the human race will come.
Once again the message of Christmas is especially relevant to us all but brings hope to those who are going through really rough times.
Once again the message of Christmas is especially relevant to us all but brings hope to those who are going through really rough times.