{"id":740,"date":"2020-10-30T04:25:13","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T08:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pamelarussell.org\/teach\/?p=740"},"modified":"2021-09-12T05:41:08","modified_gmt":"2021-09-12T09:41:08","slug":"september-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pamelarussell.org\/teach\/september-12\/","title":{"rendered":"September 12"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Romans 13:12 <\/span><\/strong>
It was night for long enough; the day has arrived. Cease immediately with any action associated with the darkness of ignorance. Clothe yourself in the radiance of light as a soldier would wear his full weaponry. (TMB)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you still making resolutions?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many years have you made the same resolution January after January? This year, I am going to lose weight. This year, I am going to let go of the things I do that are not pleasing to God. This year I am going to eat right. This year I am going to pray and study more. This year I am going to work toward a promotion on my job. What prompted your resolution? Maybe you want to make more money. Maybe you received an unfavorable medical report. Maybe it is because you don\u2019t want to buy more new clothes. Maybe you feal defeated in your walk with the Lord. You have to stop planning and stop talking about what you are \u201cgoing\u201d to do, and do it!! You might ask, is making a resolution a bad thing? That is something you will have to ask the Lord for yourself. However, here are two things to consider when you make resolutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Often resolutions are emotional and based on something that is currently going on for you personally. They can be a knee-jerk reaction instead of the result of time spent consulting God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don\u2019t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. (New Living Translation NLT)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is nothing wrong with setting goals. Wanting to spend more time with the Lord, wanting to lose weight, wanting to read the Bible more, wanting to make more money, etc. are good things. God is concerned with every aspect of your life. Why do you want to accomplish your chosen goal, NOW? Is it because it will make you spiritually stronger? If the goal is not spiritual, is it what God wants for you at this time? Why do you need to make a resolution to do it? When you want to change, you don\u2019t have to make a resolution. You can simply pray. When you do, ask the Lord what His will is for you. Ask Him if what you want will make you better able to fulfill His call on your life. Ask Him, \u201cWill this bring You glory?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Often the resolution is just talk. As Christians, because we belong to God and when we make a resolution, it is a vow to God. Keep these scriptures in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 12:36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 When you tell God you\u2019ll do something, do it\u2014now. God takes no pleasure in foolish drivel. Vow it, then do it. Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up. 6 Don\u2019t let your mouth make a total sinner of you. When called to account, you won\u2019t get by with \u201cSorry, I didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation? (Message MSG)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you really want to promise God something on a whim? There is a better way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n