One Resolution!

This is it!  The end of another year.  So how has it been for you?  Are you any more organized at this point in time than you were at this time last year?  Have you lost the weight, reduced your debt, raised your grades, maintained a consistent devotional life?  And what about your spiritual walk?  Are you less angry, more forgiving, more tolerant and less critical now than you were a year ago?  Are you allowing Christ to change who you are at the very core?  We always have good intentions, but they always seem to get way-laid.   So how about this next year?  What will make it any different?  What will make things work this time?  Might I suggest that this year you only have one resolution?  Here’s what Paul resolved:  1 Corinthians 2:2  “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

What would happen if that were your one resolution?  What would happen if in knowing Christ, in beholding Him, you started to find your taste changing, your interests changing, and even your desires?  Do you think you would be different a year from now?  Do you think you might actually be able to deal with some of those things that have dogged your steps for years?  Knowing Jesus can change you way beyond just knowing about Him.  Because once you know Him, you will want to follow where He leads.  And He always leads you towards what is best for your eternal salvation.  So here, at the beginning of 2012, why don’t you make that resolution? 

Stop. Look. Listen

Have you noticed...or is it just me?  Life seems to be moving faster than ever.  And so much has happened in the past few months that it is almost too much to process.  Births, deaths, people moving, jobs drying up, the economy tanking...again.  So how does one deal with everything that life throws their way without totally losing their mind?  Here's what I've found to be helpful.

Step 1)  Stop.  In the middle of it all...just stop!  Psa. 46:10   says      “Be still, and know that I am God!"  But that isn't the end of the verse.  It goes on to say, "I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”  So here's the question:  When you stop, ask yourself if the way you are living your life right now is honoring God in front of the nations...or at least the people in your community.

Step 2)  Look.  Look to God in the middle of your stuff.  When David was being pursued by Saul and found himself hiding in a cave, he began crying out to God...but in the middle of his prayer he really nailed it down.  Here's what he said.
Psa. 142:0      A psalm of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.
Psa. 142:1         I cry out to the LORD;
         I plead for the LORD’s mercy.
2      I pour out my complaints before him
         and tell him all my troubles.
3      When I am overwhelmed,
         you alone know the way I should turn.
     Wherever I go,
         my enemies have set traps for me.
4      I look for someone to come and help me,
         but no one gives me a passing thought!
     No one will help me;
         no one cares a bit what happens to me.
5      Then I pray to you, O LORD.
         I say, “You are my place of refuge.
         You are all I really want in life.
6      Hear my cry,
         for I am very low.
     Rescue me from my persecutors,
         for they are too strong for me.
7      Bring me out of prison
         so I can thank you.
     The godly will crowd around me,
         for you are good to me.”

It wasn't long after this prayer that Saul had to go to the bathroom...and he chose David's cave without knowing it.  David could have done him in right there and then, but chose to continue to trust in God to deliver him instead of taking matters into his own hands.

Step 3)  Listen.  Again from the Psalms:
Psa. 85:8    I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying,
         for he speaks peace to his faithful people.
         But let them not return to their foolish ways.
9      Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
         so our land will be filled with his glory.
Psa. 85:10         Unfailing love and truth have met together.
         Righteousness and peace have kissed!

Did you catch that?  When you listen for God's voice, He speaks peace to His faithful people.  That's it. 

Stop.  Look.  and Listen.  It isn't just for railroad crossings.  It's for whenever you come to any crossroads in life and feel a bit overwhelmed.  It's for when you are moving so fast that life is zooming past and you feel out of control.  It's for when you need peace in your heart and the fear to be removed.  Stop, Look, and Listen  and find His peace today.