New Years Resolutions: How Are You Doing?

I didn't make a resolution this year, so to speak, but it has been on my heart to love like Jesus loved. I see so much cruelty in the world and it makes me want to cry. However, loving like Jesus loves is a tough (actually impossible) goal. He gave His life. I'm certain He doesn't expect me to be nailed to a cross, but I am to offer my life up to His use and I'm expected to be patient and kind, to not be jealous or boastful or proud or rude. I should never demand my own way, nor be irritable. And I cannot keep a record of wrongs done to me. And I should not rejoice over an injustice, but rather rejoice whenever the truth wins out. I should never give up, never lose faith always be hopeful and endure through every circumstance.

That's a tough list of to-do's and not to-do's. But they are found in I Corinthians 13, and are clearly laid out as examples to Me. So, how I been doing? I've already let God down. But I'm not giving up.

Did you make a resolution? How are you doing?

Grace and peace to you from God.

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Cut That Out

I hear God telling me, “Bonnie, just cut it out.” Does God talk like that? I don’t know but that’s what I heard from Him this morning. Clearly, I have choices.

Today is Good Friday and it’s interesting that my Bible time and devotional time both pointed me to the same issue—sin. I’ve got plenty. And I’m a repeat offender. Sigh.

As I think about Christ going to the cross on my behalf and my feeble attempts at reigning in destructive sin patterns I just shake my head and wonder why. He gave me everything. I want His will to be my will and yet I fall so short. “Lord, forgive me.”

Matthew 5:29 is pretty straight forward about this sin issue. It says, So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

We know Jesus isn’t speaking figuratively, but that doesn’t lessen the point. We tolerate sins that have the power to destroy us. How much better it would be to get rid of them. Why don’t we?

I’m grateful God is merciful and patient, but that does not mean He will spare me from the consequences of my sins. So, as I consider the sacrifice made on my behalf, on all our behalf’s, I mean to spend time talking with God about my bad behavior. He has the answers. I need to listen and then obey. If I’m to glorify Him I need to decide whether or not I’m going to submit to Him, completely—all of me.

How about you?

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie