Articles From Our Bulletins
New Year’s Resolutions
With the coming of a new year, perhaps you’ve made some resolutions. It’s a good time to resolve to do some things of a spiritual nature. As the man in the Parable of the Unjust Steward said, “I am resolved…” (Lk. 16:4), let me suggest some things we may resolve to do in 2015.
1) To Be a Christian.
What better way to start off the new year than by being a New Testament Christian as “… the disciples were called Christians first in Anti-och” (Acts 11:26)? Men of God in the first century tried to per-suade folks “…to be a Chris-tian” (Acts 26:28). Peter penned, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Pet. 4:16). Let this be the time that you become a Christian by hearing, believing, and obeying the gospel.
2) To Return.
There are sheep who have wandered away from the flock that need to come home. James wrote about this, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (Jas. 5:19-20). If this time finds you out of step with the Savior, we plead with you to now return “… unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25).
3) To Be At Every Service.
It’s a good time to attend every service of the Lord’s church. This is part of putting first things first as Jesus taught, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” (Mt. 6:33). The Psalmist said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Ps. 122:1). Make it your aim to have perfect attendance this year and see how much you “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ….” (2 Pet. 3:18).
4) To Read the Bible Daily.
It’s a good time to start a dai-ly Bible reading schedule. Re-member the Bereans, who “…searched the scriptures daily…” (Acts 17:11)? Daily Scripture searching helps one to know (Jn. 8:32), to keep from being misled (Acts 20:30), and grow as a child of God (1 Pet. 2:2).
5) To Pray Always.
How about worrying less and praying more in the new year? Paul declared, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). The Lord spoke a parable to this end, “…that men ought always to pray…” (Lk. 18:1). The Psalmist had a good prayer habit — “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray…” (Ps. 55:17).
6) To Win One to the Lord.
Since “…he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30), how about making it your resolution to find one and win one to the Lord in 2015? Resolve to be an Anna — speak of the Redeemer as she did (Lk. 2:36-38) — and to be an Andrew — find one and bring him to Jesus as he did (Jn. 1:40-42). Think what it would do to the church, if each of us would do that! The church would double by this time next year!!
7) To Be Given to Hospitality.
Christians in the first century were found “…breaking bread from house to house…” (Acts 2:46). How about opening up your home for such occasions in 2015? We find a way to do what we want to do, right? Peter penned, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Pet. 4:9). Romans 12:13 says, “… given to hospitality.” May this describe each family here.
8) To Go to Heaven.
Let’s make it our spiritual resolution to live in such a way as to go to Heaven. This requires keeping the Lord’s commandments as John said, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14). Let’s be firmly determined to do the will of the Lord this year!
