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“New Year, New Me”

Am I too late?

January is the month of “resolution”—this is the month of “big changes.”

But it is mid-January… and I wonder how many are still on track?

How many have failed enough over the years that the thought of making a “resolution” and “changing” in a drastic way isn’t even attempted anymore?

Let’s just stick with the “status quo,” and then the feeling of disappointment or failure won’t have to ruin our moods. Let’s not destroy what self-esteem we may build up for ourselves, right?

 

I can’t help but think of this encouraging verse in Scripture from Jeremiah 17:9.

I think this would do us some good, both “resolution-ers” and “status quo supporters” alike:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (ESV)

[If needing extra encouragement today, see Mark 7:14-23]

 

I use the word “encouragement” somewhat sarcastically, yet I think we should be encouraged here to consider our hearts (not just in January, but every day we have breath).

Where is your heart?

 

In reality, “change” is a common desire amongst people in this Fallen and broken world. Satisfaction is often lacking in meaningful and lasting ways. We all have bad habits.

Sinful behaviors, desires, and pursuits often plague our abilities to do what we know we should do (more on Romans 6-8 later).

 

There are areas of our lives that our hearts know need to change, even if no one else around us can see and even if we feel numb to being able to do anything productive.

We all have idols that provide opportunities for our pride to increase.

Yet, I must ask you to consider:

Are you satisfied?

 

This must be considered more deeply than the numbers on a scale or in the bank account. I’m not talking about the image reflected in the physical mirror.

If you were to access a spiritual, soul-revealing mirror that saw every part of you to the core of your being:

What do you see needs to change?

 

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

 

I hope these questions grab your attention. May we truly think about such things.

Increasingly, I am aware that the hostility I feel toward Pharaoh in the book of Exodus is misplaced. Pharaoh is the “villain” from a human standpoint. The Hebrews are the oppressed in need of a deliverer. Moses and Aaron are the heroes. But that is not really the way the story is supposed to be read.

You see, God is the hero of every story in the Bible. Though human beings falter and fail, God remains constant. God’s mercy and justice, His grace and judgment, reflect the impeccable nature of the sovereign who always reigns over His creation.

This means the enemy is not the unrepentant ones in the stories. Sinners merely carry out the scheme of Sin in the world by acting sinfully (Capital ‘S’ the thing that is at work in fallen creation–little ‘s’ the acts produced by capital ‘S’in in us). You see, the real power standing opposed to God is and will always be defiance in the heart of the creature.

That brings me back to Pharaoh. God spares Pharaoh time and time again. God offers grace after grace to Pharaoh, and yet, Pharaoh refuses Yahweh God. You and I are more like Pharaoh than we like to admit. God’s call with grace upon grace is, “Repent and Believe.” But still, the creature rebels.

Romans 3 reminds us, “None is righteous, no not one,” and, “No one seeks for God.” These sobering quotes should remind us to turn to God through Christ because, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 3:10,11 5:8 ESV) 

When we read of the hardened heart of Pharaoh, let us be mindful of the fact that we, too, would continue in our rebellion apart from God’s sovereign grace that bought us and made us new.

May the Exodus message make us yield to God and follow after Him in Christ Jesus our LORD!!!

Hebrews 12:1–2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)

These verses are the ‘New Year’s Resolution’ verses for those who want to follow God more closely.
Unfortunately, like our weight loss, diet, and fitness dreams, the ‘race set before us’ becomes cloudy and fades into the archives of dreams not yet achieved.

This year, 2024, we can all take a simple step toward following Christ for all He is. We can get to know Jesus through the writing of the very first leaders of the church. People like John, James, Peter, and Paul gave the church so much information about living in a way that honors Jesus.

Below is a reading plan for the year that is managable and focuses on the writings of these first leaders. Remember, “ALL scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” The parts we like and the parts we don’t like are there for your growth and encouragement.

Welcome to 2024!!

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