Final Sunday in 2020 and I’m happy about that too!

Good morning family and friends.  Welcome. This Sunday is the final Lord’s Day in 2020.  We will be walking away from this old weary year of struggle and welcoming a brand new year, 2021.  And I am very happy about that too.  Have you thought about your resolutions for the coming year? Here are a few things for your consideration.

2021 is now upon us.  What shall we do?

1. Focus…on God’s word day and night (Psalm 1). There are so many distractions.  So many “other things” to think about that are not as important.
2. Follow God’s word in James 1:19. I need to keep on keeping on.
3. Every day. Without ceasing. God asks me to. When I pray, He promises to hear, consider, and answer according to His will.  I can do this. Will I? I will.
4. I don’t listen as well as I should. There is a big difference between hearing and listening.
5. I am too quick to judge, to jump to conclusions, to misunderstand.  I need to wait.  I’m not talking about procrastination.  I am talking about patience.
6. Be meek and gentle. Jesus taught by word and example that humility pleases the Father.  I want to be like Jesus; quiet and strong and at the same time meek and gentle.
7. Follow when I should. Lead when I should.  Seek to understand.
8. Forget what was. Accept what is.  Imagine and create what can be.
9. Reach out to the challenges and chances that lie ahead.

We often sing hymn #675 in our books, but do we think about what we are singing? 

I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler, these have allured my sight.

I am resolved to go to the Savior, leaving my sin and strife;
He is this True One, He is the Just One, He has the words of life.

I am resolved to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day,
Heed what is says, do what He wills, He is the living Way.

I am resolved to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin,
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, still will I enter in.

I will hasten (hurry, rush, race) to Him, hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.

Am I resolved to delay no longer looking ever upward toward heaven?  Am I resolved to go to the Savior, the True One and the Just One leaving my sin and strife?  Am I resolved to follow Him in truth and faithfulness each and every day doing His will following His instructions?  Am I resolved to leave the path of sin and enter His kingdom no matter what people might think, say, or do?  Have I decided to run to God with a smile on my face and joy in my heart with full assurance that He is the Greatest and Highest? I am. I have. I will.