Daily Archives: December 28, 2011

 

Just about this time of each year we look back and think about what we meant to accomplish and never quite got finished.  We think about our failures and successes and try to figure out how the new year will be better than the last!  It is estimated that over 70% of American will vow to loose weight in the coming year.  I’ve certainly made that resolution each year for 40 years!  I’ve lost over 10,000 pounds in the last 40 years, only to  later  gain 10,002 back!  I’ll go after it again this year!  There is nothing wrong with making a list ways to improve yourself and your life, but I have a really great resolution I dare you to pray about, consider and then, if you’re brave, make!

 

Here is the premise:  Life is a spiritual battle. God wants us and Satan wants us, yes Virginia there is a Satan!  Some people just can’t believe that their is evil in the world and they can’t accept the source of it, which is exactly what he wants, for you to not even believe,that makes his job a lot easier, kind of like a soldier in camouflage!   O.K. so you either, think I’m an idiot, or you believe me, for those that believe lets trudge forward.  You cannot be saved from all the wrong you’ve done in your life, by trying harder, only by accepting Jesus forgiveness that is bought and paid for by Him!  So why make a resolution to be a better person?   Because if you have accepted Jesus as you Savior and you know the joy, peace, and freedom that brings,and you want to share that with others, but you will have a very hard time doing that if you live like nothing has changed in your life!  No one will want what you have if you appear to be just as messed up as all those people that don’t know Him.   Now of course we all are still messed up in some ways, we still make mistakes, still do things we know we shouldn’t, but we are forgiven and in God’s eyes we are redeemed.   We owe it to Him to try harder!  So here is my “suggested” resolution:

 

Character and Integrity matter and we should be attempting to live lives that exemplify Who we have accepted, and Who we serve.  Here is a simple formula, I said simple, not easy, but then nothing in life that is worthwhile is easy.  Commit to ask yourself one question when you are faced with a decision on what to do this coming year, Is it Good or Bad for me? or what would Jesus do in this situation?    Let’s take some examples,

 

You want to go to Krispy Kreme and buy two dozen hot and fresh donuts, right off the conveyer, what do you think?   For most of us that should a couple (not dozen) of fresh donuts!

 

You got too much in change at the grocery store, do you keep it or  return it?  You know the answer to that one!

 

A friend starts to tell you juicy gossip about another friend?  Do you listen and dive in, or ask that they not share it with you?     (Satan says, you didn’t take it they gave it to you, it was their mistake!)

 

You want to buys something that you really can’t afford, and you owe a lot on your credit card now, what should you do?

 

You see someone shoot a great photograph and you follow them and shoot pretty much the same image.  When someone sees it and brags on you do you admit that your friend saw it first?

 

Someone says or does something that hurts you.  Do you fire back, get even, or ask God to help you deal with it and forgive them?

 

Someone ask if you can help them with a project and you really do have time.  Would you say I’m too busy, or take the time to help a friend?

 

Your car slipped on a wet street and you knocked down someone’s mailbox, and no one saw you.  Would you leave before you were caught, or leave a note to the person saying who you are, how to contact you , and offering to pay for the damaged property?

 

I think you get the point, every day we have countless opportunities to do “the right thing” !  The more we make the right choices, the closer we become to being the person we really want to to be.  If you want to have an affect on others for your Heavenly Father, discipline yourself to do the right thing!

 

Let’s call it,  “The Do The Right Thing Resolution………”

 

What good will this do?   If you are even somewhat successful,  you will become a better person, and since very few people are trying to be “better”,   you will stick out like a sore thumb to those that need to  know Him!  You just might be the person that leads someone to join the family of God!  And that is something that will have value,  through out eternity!!!!

 

Love you guys, Happy New Year,

 

the pilgrim