Monday, January 03, 2005

New Years Resolutions

New Years Resolutions
I always dread New Years resolutions. Maybe its a committment thing. I'm always tempted to fudge a bit. You know how it is - I'll kinda try to do this, maybe I'll try and do that.

That way, when I don't succeed at the end of the year, I can make excuses and say, "I really wasn't trying - it wasn't a real goal."

Last night I read something about the 1953 class of Yale. A survey was taken and only 3% of the students had written down goals. In 1973, that group was re-interviewed. The 3% who had written down goals had a greater net worth than the other 97% of the students combined.

This is not about increasing our net worth - but about growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm afraid it just won't happen if we do not make a committment.

This is also not about legalism. What I'm planning on doing is not a method to make me right with God - that is through faith in Jesus Christ. What God is calling for you to do may or may not be anything like my list. Neither am I trying to brag.

I Peter 5:3 says the pastor is to be an example and you can't do that if you hide everything.

So, you're asking - what are you going to commit to?
Gulp! Here goes:
1 - Read the Bible through again.
2 - Fast once a month. (12 times during the year)
3 - Memorize at least one scripture verse a week. (52 verses)
4 - Have at least 4 class parties this year.

This list does not have everything on it and it may grow throughout the year. If you want to share what your resolutions are this year I would be interested. If you want to keep them a secret - that's ok too.

Enough for now
God bless
Pastor John

Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!