WithinTheNorm | |
My 3 Life Changing Resolutions
7:48 PM, Jan. 9, 2008
.. 2 comments
.. Link
Jonathan Edwards is regarded as the greatest theologian America has ever produced. One of the secrets behind this godly man was his 70 Resolutions. I cannot help but admire Jonathan Edwards’ strength of conviction and thoroughness of thought.I am told that our greatest growth takes place in deepest darkness. In November (2007) I came out of a particularly difficult time. After much prayer and reflection, I believe the Lord showed me the root of my problem. I want to share it with you in hopes others will be helped and encouraged. The bottom line is I became unthankful. At first it was a little annoyance, like a gnat that kept flying in front of my face. It would disappear for a moment as I waived it away, only to return moments later. I wasn’t completely miserable. I often got my own way and thereby masking my sin for a longer time. After a while I wasn’t even happy when things were going my way. Unthankfulness is a cancer that slowly eats away at what is good and right in our lives. I grew discontent with everything in my life. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, four beautiful children, a kind and loving congregation, and several dear friends. It wasn’t long before every one of these blessings became a burden to me. I wanted to escape from everyone only to find that I could not even stand being with myself. I couldn’t pray because I began to believe God Himself was against me. The heart of the gospel message is that God has not left us to ourselves. If He did, we all would be destined for hell. Through His mercy and grace, He began to shine His light into my heart once more. The Westminster Confession says it so well True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light: yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived; and by the which, in the meantime, they are supported from utter despair. CHAPTER 18, Section 4: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
In other words, God will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Getting back to resolutions. I came up with 3 resolutions that have brought peace, sanity, and contentment back into my life. They are a far cry from Edwards’ 70, but they have helped me. Maybe it’s their simplicity that made all the difference. I summed them up into 3 words, that way I can remember them easily. The first resolution is thankfulness. Since this was the root of my discontent, I put it first. I honestly believe if I can get this one, everything else will follow. The Bible says in Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Before we can go into His courts with praise, we have to enter into His gates with thanksgiving. Thankfulness brings us through the gates before we have fellowship with Him. It is only when we have fellowship with Him that we can have true communion with one another. John the beloved said in 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. As I have been practicing thankfulness each day my heart has been lifted and freed. I am able to see all the good and perfect gifts the Father of lights has given me. (James 1:17) The second resolution is cheerfulness. Jesus Christ command to “be of good cheer” 5 different times in the Bible. (Matthew 9:2 and 14:7, Mark 6:50, John 16:33, and Acts 23:11) Solomon said in Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Cheerfulness is like the sun coming out from behind the cloud on a summer day giving warmth and light to all. Cheerfulness must be practiced because it does not come naturally. Over time, I’m finding it easier to “be of good cheer.” The last of my resolutions is to be graceful. This is just another way of saying I want to be more kind. Paul said it so gently and put gracefulness in context when he said in Ephesian 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Gracefulness means I want to treat others with the same grace God has given me through Jesus Christ. It has to do with how I interrelate with those around me. My tongue can be a source of life or death and if I am graceful, I will be able to eat of the fruit of life. (Proverbs 18:21) To be graceful relationally also means practicing basic manners and politeness with others, especially those closest to us. How pleasant it is to be greeted with a warm smile or to hear “thank you” and “please”! The little acts of courtesy communicate love, acceptance, and peace. Without gracefulness we can add unnecessary friction to our relationships rather than the “oil of gladness”. (Psalm 45:7) My resolutions are not as extensive and prolific as Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions. I can’t pretend to have his profundity. I have only 3 resolutions, but these 3 have restored my relationships, my happiness, and my peace. I hope and pray they will help anyone who needs them now or in the future. I always welcome hearing if these words have helped you in any way or if you have your own resolutions that God has shown you in your life. Ever Thankful, Cheerful, and Graceful in Christ, Pastor Norman Patterson, Jr. Leave a Comment { Last Page } { Page 2 of 5 } { Next Page } |
About Me My Profile Archives Friends LinksCategoriesRecent EntriesUntitledMy 3 Life Changing Resolutions Tagged (in the head) WithinTheYellowjacket I am within the norm FriendsstevewendHecat19 dadspeanut3 BelovedPeace Liveforeternity |