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Yesterday we talked about Does Jesus Even Care About Our New Year’s Resolutions? You should probably read that real quick, go here!

Since the New Year is all about resoluting (not sure that is a word, but again, writer privilege!) renewal and change, there is a really cool set of scriptures that relate to just that. Once again, our beloved Apostle Paul is explaining it to us. Be sure and read it slowly!!

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Here comes that renewing, changing and resoluting! Paul is all about it. Get rid of the sinful nature and the way we used to live. When? “Since you have heard about Jesus and learned the truth…”  So this should have been a process we started when we came to know the Lord. But, alas, we are human, born with a sinful nature that, if we aren’t careful, tends to revert right back to its old sinful ways. We need to be reminded!

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Paul begins to give us a list. We love lists! We are all over lists, all about lists, you get it, we get all giddy when making a list. But that list sometimes get lost and we need, again, reminders.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Paul continues to be specific and we need to get specific with our faults and shortcomings too. Don’t just make a list of what you want to do better, maybe we should make a list of what we want to get rid of too.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Paul admonishes us to not grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live out our lives. It is a reflection on Him and could cause another to stumble.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:21-32 NLT.

Look at all Paul has mentioned here:

• Throw off your sinful nature

• Stop telling lies

• Don’t let anger control you

• Don’t go to bed mad, fix it

• Stop stealing

• Don’t use foul language

• Don’t use abusive language (there is a difference!)

• Don’t let your life grieve the Holy Spirit

• Get rid of bitterness

• Get rid of rage

• Get rid of anger

• Get rid of harsh words

• Get rid of slander

• Get rid of all types of evil behavior

This looks rather daunting, doesn’t it? A little overwhelming, perhaps? But Paul didn’t leave us without a solution. Did you notice that I put emphasis on a particular word in the scripture reading? Did you see the word in bold?

Instead.

Paul didn’t just say, “Don’t do this…” Paul said, “INSTEAD…do this!”

• INSTEAD…let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes!

• INSTEAD…tell the truth!

• INSTEAD…use your hands for good, hard work!

• INSTEAD…give generously to others in need!

• INSTEAD…let everything you say be good and helpful!

• INSTEAD…be an encourager!

• INSTEAD…be kind to each other!

• INSTEAD…be tenderhearted to one another!

• INSTEAD…forgive one another!

Because Christ has forgive you.

So, does Jesus even care about our New Year’s Resolutions?

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I think the answer is, “Yes.”

If we are on the wrong track, have slacked off in certain areas, picked up bad habits, bad attitudes and put Jesus on the back burner, He cares. And if we have been awakened to that fact, if we realize that a New Year would be a good time to fix those things, He cares. He desires for us to be more like Him, to reflect HIS glory, not our own. A time of renewal is always a good thing and the above list would be a great one to try to emulate.

The one thing to remember is to not continually let things slide with the attitude of “Well, there’s always next year, there’s always another New Year’s Resolution.” That is not pleasing to Him at all. Choose to stay close to Him, to get to know Him, spend time with the Creator of the Universe! He is waiting for you to call, always ready to listen and able to supply your every need. He can also make you the man or woman you have always desired to be so that next year, if He tarries, your resolutions for 2017 will be totally different.

On this final day of 2015, may you enjoy time with your family and friends, reflecting on His goodness and resting in the comfort that He cares about every aspect of our lives, resolutions or no resolutions.

What kind of resolutions are you making for the New Year? Do they include fasting and praying more? Of course you need my book, The Daniel Fast, A Devotional! It is available in paperback or Kindle at Amazon.com. Easy-to-read with 21 days of devotions, enough for a three week Daniel Fast or for any type of fast! Also includes Daniel Fast Recipes after each devotion and three days of preparation devotions to explain fasting, why we do it, how we do it, etc. Remember, fasting without prayer is just a diet so fast unto the Lord. 

 

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