Sunday, January 15, 2017

Resolutions for 2017

I don't make a habit of making new year resolutions and the resolutions that I posted for 2012 (see post dated February 5, 2012) still hold true, but for 2017 I would like to add the following:

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV):

"... what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"

Psalms 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10 (NIV):

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom"

Proverbs 3:7 (NIV):

"Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil."

I resolve to honor the LORD with all of my heart and with all of my soul and to live in such a way that He may be glorified.  I resolve to not exalt myself and to not be wise in my own eyes.


Model the behavior that you want others to emulate.

This is a notion that I have devised for myself with support from the following passages of scripture:

Titus 2:7 (NIV), the apostle Paul's instructions to Titus:

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good."

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV), the apostle Paul's instructions to Timothy:

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

John 13:12-15 (NIV), Jesus modeling humility to his twelve disciples:

"When he [Jesus] had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.  'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

If I have failed to do so in the past, I resolve to be guided by these admonitions in 2017.