It’s that time again......

Time to consider and make New Year’s Resolutions!!

From Matthew Mead: 

"You will suspect that man to be next door to a bankrupt, that never casts up his accounts nor looks over his book; and I as verily think that man a hypocrite, that never searches nor deals with his own heart. He that goes on in a road of duties without any uneasiness or doubting of his state, I doubt no man’s state more than his. When we see a man sick, and yet not sensible, we conclude the tokens of death are upon him. So when sinners have no sense of their spiritual condition, it is plain that they are dead in sin; the tokens of eternal death are upon them."

From the Holy Spirit:

Philippians 4:8  (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

From Charles Spurgeon:


“You cannot be Christ's servant if you are not willing to follow him, cross and all. What do you crave? A crown? Then it must be a crown of thorns if you are to be like him. Do you want to be lifted up? So you shall, but it will be upon a cross.”


Here’s a couple of great articles to help guide our thinking in this endeavor:


New Year’s Resolutions for God’s Glory, Not Our Own


Ten Principles for Personal Productivity   


CONSIDER WELL & CHOOSE WISELY:


“There are a great many professors [of Christianity] now that have nothing to distinguish them from the worst of men, but their praying, reading, hearing of sermons, baptism, church- fellowship, and breaking of bread. Separate them but from these, and every where else they are as black as others, even in their whole life and conversation.” 


These words were written by John Bunyan, the puritan writer and preacher in the 17th Century (A Holy Life: The Beauty of Christianity). Sadly, they could just as easily have come from the pen of a present observer of Christianity today.


Old habits die hard, new habits need to be cultivated. We can either embrace the "new creation" that Jesus has made of us in us, or we can cling to our old thoughts and ways.... 

Whatever we do, we must acknowledge and accept that we can't do both.


At this time, I can think of no better way to conclude this  article than with J.R. Miller's timely sentiments that were penned many years ago:

"We ought to make something of every year. They should be like new steps on the stairs, lifting our feet a little higher. We ought not to live any two years on the same plane. To be content with any attainment even for two days, is not living at our best."

“The new year on which we are about to enter is unopened and we know not what shall befall us; but if we follow Christ we need have no fear.  So let us leave the old year with gratitude to God for its mercies, and with penitence for its failures and sins, and let us enter the new year with earnest resolve in Christ's name to make it the holiest and most beautiful year we have ever lived.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

CORAM DEO!
Psalm 90:12-17