Good morning everyone:
How are the new year’s resolutions faring? Are you still on track with the new exercise regimen, the more nutritious diet, and the plan to take control of clutter around the house once and for all? The start of a new year is a good time to take stock of your life and determine to make changes and improvements where needed.
However, we also know well what can happen. We enthusiastically charge into January eager to tackle every one of our ambitious resolutions, but by mid-month the excitement cools off. By February we wonder why we thought the resolutions were such a good idea in the first place. Work and things around the house crowd out exercise time. It’s easier to stop at McDonald’s than prepare a meal from scratch.
It’s a reminder that if a good new year depended upon us: our determination, and our abilities, there would not be cause for a great deal of optimism. Even when we know what is right and good, we often fail in the execution. Paul puts it well: “What I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Rom. 7:19).
So this year, why not focus more on God’s resolutions? His Word never fails. What He resolves is as good as done. He promised to send a Savior, and He did. Jesus announced that He had come not to be served, but to serve, and He did. He was obedient to the Father’s will, even to the point of death on the cross in payment for the world’s sin.
In your Bible reading next week and throughout the new year, watch for God’s promises and resolutions. Look to them for comfort, encouragement, and direction. The Lord says to you: “I have loved you with an everlasting love….I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 31:3; 29:11). Let His gracious promises give you renewed determination to follow Him in love. Then it will be a very good year!
In tomorrow’s sermon text (Jn. 1:1-18), Jesus is shown to be the Word and the Light for us and for the entire world.
The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated in both services.
