It was the last day of the year. Stan and I were at 12 Baskets having breakfast together when he asked, “Have you made any resolutions for the new year?”
“New Year’s resolutions?” I replied. “Nah, I’ve pretty much given up on making them.”
“Why’s that?” Stan asked.
“I’m usually not very good at keeping them,” I admitted. “I try to keep my resolutions, but I usually fail.”
“Unlike Jesus,” Stan commented.
“Unlike Jesus? Did Jesus make resolutions?”
“I don’t know if He made resolutions,” Stan replied, “but I do know He was resolute, which seems to me to be the successful result of keeping a resolution. And there’s a lesson in that for me.”
“What lesson?”
“I’m to be resolute, not just make resolutions!”
“Be resolute, not just make resolutions? How so?”
“When Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to go to the cross and eventually to return to heaven,” Stan replied, “Luke records that Jesus ‘resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem.’ He not only made the resolution to go to Jerusalem, but He actually went. I’m to do the same thing.”
“Resolve to go to Jerusalem and then go there?”
“If that’s what God wants,” Stan replied with a smile, “but it’s really that I’m to be focused on where God has for me to go, as well as focused on what He has for me to do for Him and His kingdom. I’m not only supposed to make a resolution to do and be in God’s will, but I’m to actually be resolute in doing it.”
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Bible verses to consider:
And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51.
And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46.
My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou Wilt. Matthew 26:39.
And when Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you for His obedience in being resolute and going to the cross to finish what you sent Him to do to provide the way to you. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I’m not resolute in being and doing what you intend for me. Please forgive the foolishness of trying to live this life without being obedient. Help me be resolute, not just make resolutions. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Jesus was obedient in going to the cross so you could accept His finished work and know you have life eternally with God, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Have you accepted that free and gracious gift? If no, why do you want to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with your obedience to what God has for you to be and do? If you would like to be resolute and not just make resolutions, how is that going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know that you need in order to be more resolute in being and doing what He intends for you? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what He knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to being part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?