We are a ministry rooted in the reformed faith that offers resources on grief, autism, alcoholism, terminal illness and life crises, as well as hope and help for daily life.

New sweat suits, running shoes, bikes, water bottles.  We must give credit to the wannabee svelte athletes who don their Christmas gift exercise paraphernalia and attempt to keep their New Year’s resolution to work toward good health and a smaller size.  Sadly, in a week or two these well-intentioned people are raptured out of site not be seen exercising again until the next New Year.
New Year’s resolutions usually revolve around our weight, personal financial goals, our vocation, or some relationship that needs improvement.  But what should a New Year’s resolution look like for a believer?  Are there biblical goals and a right way to resolve change?

Resolutions:  No Retreat – No Fear

 God gave one prophet such a painful, difficult calling that we call him Jeremiah, the weeping prophet.  God’s people were in bondage because of their sin.  Jeremiah’s task was to call them to repentance even though God told him they would not listen.
 Jeremiah’s response to God’s call is to commit to no retreat – no fear.  In Jeremiah 17, this obedient servant declares that no matter how difficult the journey had been, he had not run away from being God’s shepherd (Jeremiah 17:16).  Jeremiah knows that his calling is fearful and pleads with God to keep him from terror (Jeremiah 17:17-18).

Resolutions designed to bear eternal fruit require a “no retreat – no fear” clause.  

Resolutions:  The Starting Line

All eternal resolve begins and ends with worship. 
Biblical resolutions that have any hope of success must start with biblical worship.  The Israelites’ disobedience started with their neglect of God’s Word and worship.  God calls them back to a lifestyle of intimacy with Him.  After his “no retreat – no fear” declaration, Jeremiah exhorts God’s disobedient people to “hear the word of the Lord.”  God’s message addresses the root of their past failure.  He demands that they respect the Sabbath and to keep it holy. 
Such a lifestyle results in obedience.  A  consistent faith that works indicates a heart that worships.

Resolutions with an Eternal Perspective
1.  Dismantle all idols.  The desires of our hearts define our resolutions.  Identify the idols in your heart by filling in the blank:  “If I don’t have ____________, I will die!”  Barren Rachel cried out to her husband, Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”  Contrast that with Moses’ plea to God when He declared, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”  What are you worshiping?

2. Commit your life to making a difference with a DDT formula:

Delight in Him, He will give you the Desires of your heart, and Transform your life purpose.

3. Pray for the revival of an evangelistic fervor.  Do you care, really care, about people who are headed for hell without Christ?  Or is your focus on what’s in the church for me?

4. Become a waver-less believer with a risk-taker’s vision.  Jeremiah declared he would not retreat, even when God’s assignments were way outside of “the box” of tradition and culturally acceptable behavior.  Where has God called you to stay the course in a way that is risky?

5. Open your eyes, purse, and aid to the plight of the disenfranchised, the hurting, and the outcasts of our society.  In the past few weeks people in our church have suffered grave losses.  We know about these because they are obvious and public.  So many more carry hidden sorrow but at least many of them are living life with the hope of Christ driving them.  Ask God to show you the sorrow and pain of people outside of Christ’s family and then use your talents, abilities and dollars to meet those needs in the name of your Savior.

6. Become missional and insist that your church remains missional.  Be intentional about building God’s kingdom and remembering, “It’s not about you – it’s about God’s glory.”

7. Learn the art of Bible study, prayer, and worship. Allow others to teach you how to study God’s Word.  Recognize that the hard work of living by faith is prayer.  And make worship your lifeblood.  Squeeze every ounce of application out of your public and private worship.

Write out these resolutions and review them every time you open your Bible.  With Jeremiah cry out, “no retreat, no fear” and live every minute in anticipation of seeing God’s presence and invitation to join Him in consistently and practically building His kingdom.