Good morning:
I’m going to be more patient…I’ll carve out more family time…This is the year I will finally finish all the projects I start. Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Many times it’s an exercise in frustration. Good intentions are soon forgotten when time is scarce or motivation wanes. What sounds so good and doable on January 1st becomes just another burden in life.
But instead of looking only at your own resolutions, have you ever thought about focusing on the Lord’s resolutions for you? There are many. As a 12-year-old in the temple, Jesus told Mary, “I must be about My Father’s business.” He promises, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). “In My Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you….I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn. 14:2-3). All of God’s promises are a resounding “Yes!” in Christ. He came into the world to live the perfect life we could never achieve. He came to sacrifice His own life here in time that we might have eternal life hereafter.
At the end of all time what will really matter is not how well we have kept our own resolutions, but how faithfully and wonderfully Jesus has fulfilled all things necessary for our forgiveness, peace, and unending joy with Him. Tomorrow’s sermon text (Lk. 2:41-52) shows Jesus’ obedience to His Father’s will even as a child, obedience credited to our account as righteousness.
Yours in His name,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. Adult Bible class is at 9:45 a.m. Thought starter: What do you think of New Year’s resolutions? Have you made any? How successful have you been in keeping them?
Our New Year’s Eve service with Holy Communion is Monday at 7 p.m.
