Encounter: Read through 1 Corinthians Chapters 1-6. Write down the things that Paul tells the Corinth church to focus on. What are the resolutions he is encouraging them to make?
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT
It is always interesting to find out what new national day will pop up on the calendar next. There’s everything from Sibling Day, Bacon Day and National Rubber Ducky Day just to name a few. My Mom told me about a new one she read about today called National Quitter's Day. It is celebrated in January to recognize those who set new year goals and fail to achieve them — and to encourage and equip them to try again and ultimately succeed. Research has shown that people put aside their resolutions for the year by the second Friday of January. It seems hard to take resolutions seriously.
When people talk about new year’s resolutions, it usually has to do with losing weight, exercising more, eating healthier and saving more money. But one new report cited statistics saying that in a recent poll the #1 resolution making up 46% of those asked was to have no resolution at all. Maybe they were tired of failing or they chose to stop trying, or they just don’t care, but no matter the reason, we all know it can be challenging to do something differently than we’re used to. Change is not a word that is welcome in most of our conversations, much less something we want to live by.
But resolutions are not a bad thing. To be resolute is to have a firm determination to succeed in a cause or purpose. And maybe that’s the key. What is the cause or purpose to which we pour our determination? I find it helpful at the beginning of the year to spend some time reviewing the past year. To ask God to show me my year as God saw it. To ask honest questions about my resolutions and also the resolutions we determined to accomplish together as Christ’s Church. It’s an exercise that is both encouraging and inspiring and can also be an opportunity to lean into those things that have been left undone. To maybe even examine the resolutions to see if they’re in alignment with the Jesus Way.
This Sunday, I’ll be focusing on how God’s revolutionary resolutions can take us along a transforming journey. And not only will these resolutions transform our lives but they have the potential to restore and bring life where the enemy has tried to kill, steal and destroy. And because everything we do is in the context of relationship, we remember how God’s call to BLESS continually invites us to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
So at the beginning of each new year, one of the letters from our BLESS wall becomes our focus and this year is an “S” year where we will continue to encourage one another to serve in all the ways God is calling us.
As we journey together in this new year, let us be determined to make revolutionary changes that prioritize service to God and others. Guided by our 730 Challenge scriptures, may we strive to live lives marked by generosity, grace, and integrity. Let us embrace the call to serve with purpose, trusting that through our actions, we can make a meaningful difference in the world. May this year be a testament to the power of faith and the courage to Serve as Christ did.
Resolute,
Pastor T
Reflect: Click here to open the “Steps of an Annual Examen: Prayerfully Reviewing the Past Year” exercise. Spend the next couple weeks remembering and reflecting, asking God to show you your year as God saw it.
Spiritual Practice: After reflecting on the past year, ask God to show you the way into this next year. Write down in your journal 3 new resolutions (or more) that you are determined to accomplish in 2025. Prayerfully offer them to the Lord asking for the strength and guidance to succeed. Do your resolutions align with God’s transformative purposes? Revisit the next day and see if God shows you something else to add or take away.
Gather: Share your resolutions with your small group asking for their support and prayers to see them accomplished. Is there a resolution that your small group wants to commit to as a team? Write it down and have each person sign it as your pray together to live and serve through God’s power.
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