Resolution for Men

The Resolution is a bold declaration stating that from this point on, you are choosing to live for what matters most. It's established in your heart and then spoken from your lips, committing yourself to fulfill your God-given responsibilities and live your life with faith and integrity. It expresses who you desire to be as a man and reminds you of your priceless influence on to the next generation.

The Resolution statements are based upon the highest priorities for men in God's Word. Each statement describes a commitment you resolve to live by as the leader of your home.

They represent a call to action, and living by them will ultimately help you stand before God one day and hear Him say, "Well done!"

From the book "The Resolution for Men".

Regardless of the mistakes we have made in the past. I pledge to love God with all that I am and to teach my children to do the same.

I hope and pray that you will commit with me to sign the Resolution for Men.

Resolution for Men

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15

Making Mary's Praise Our Praise

Soon after Mary received the angel from God, telling her that she would give birth to Christ, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Mary greeted Elizabeth with the following praise:

"My soul exalts the LORD, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him." Luke 1:46-50

Today is Christmas Eve. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's share in the joy that Mary experienced in anticipation of Christ coming. Let our souls give glory to God for his gift to mankind. Let us rejoice in the mercy that God has shown each of us, for none are worthy. Let us praise God for his holiness.

Father,

As we approach the birthday of Christ, make us joyful. May we share our joy with others. Let us reflect Christ's love in all that we say and do. You are holy and worthy of our praise. We pray in the name of Christ. Amen

The Significance of the Shepherds in the Birth of Christ

Though we think that we are already familiar with the Christmas story, in re-reading it with care, God will aways reveal to us new and fresh insights.

The Christmas story is found in Luke, the second chapter.

What was the role of the shepherds and how should we respond to their example?

According to Luke, the shepherds where going about the business of caring for their flock. It was night and they were on guard for predators that could take advantage of the darkness to attack their flock. They were alert to what was going on around them.

As they were keeping watch, suddenly, without warning an angel appeared to them.

The angel was not a sign of danger, but a messenger from God. The angel came bearing good news, not only to the shepherds, but to all mankind.

The angel then revealed to the shepherds the good news that God had sent his son, Jesus as the savior of the world. He was born that night not as an earthly king would have experienced, but as a lowly servant might have experienced.

The shepherds listened as the angel of God spoke to them. And as they listened the heavens echoed the message of the angel.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased" Luke 2:14

And when the shepherds heard the message given to them by heaven, they took action. They traveled to see the Christ child for themselves.

In Bethlehem they found the baby, with Mary and Joseph, lying in a manger. They spoke to each other about this wonderful experience that God had brought about in their lives.

After seeing the mother and child, they departed.

And as they met other people, they told them of the blessing that they had experienced, spreading the good news that Christ the Savior had been born to all that they met.

God wants each of us to be shepherds. As we live our lives, He wants us to be vigilant. He wants us to listen when He speaks to us. He wants us to take action as He directs us. He wants us to experience the peace that our Savior brings to us. He wants us to tell others this good news that Christ has been born.

Father,

We thank you for the birth of our Savior. We thank you for the hope that He brings. Open our ears to your voice. Guide and direct our actions, making us willing to follow. Grant us courage to tell others of the good news that Christ brings to our lives. We pray in Christ's name.

Amen.

Maturing as Christians through Trials

"My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect annd complete, not deficient in anything." James 1:2-4

You might be wondering what James means when he writes about trials and why would God want us to experience trials in our lives.

Trials are a part of everyday life. Trials would include staying up all night with a sick child. Trials would include problems that we are having at work. Trials would be running out of money. Trials would be living with the loss of a loved one.

During trials, our faith is tested by the temptation to stop trusting and obeying God. We are tempted to question God. These responses to trials should not be followed.

"When we fall into all sorts of trials," we are commanded to "consider it nothing but joy." We need to have the right attitude about trials. Trials can be opportunities for growth. With joy in our hearts, we can have no room for bitterness.

Trials are a way that God uses to make His followers into the kind of people who bring honor to His name. Having endured trials, with Christ's strength, we reach the desired effect. God's plan is for us to mature from baby Christians to adult Christians.

"The true nature of gold become evident when the refiner heats gold ore over a fire. Similarly the character of God within a Christian that is there because of the Holy Spirit's presence becomes apparent through trials, if responded to properly." Dr. Thomas Constable

Father,

Teach us to rejoice in our trials, not to rebel against them. Give us the strength to walk with you, rather than run away from the trials of life. Let us see trials as your instrument for perfecting us. Grant us maturity as we persevere. In Christ's name we pray.

Amen.

In everything give thanks

Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God commands us to do many things. Many times these things can seem to be very hard or even impossible. Sometimes God does not even give us instructions in how His command should be accomplished. Verse 18 of Thessalonians 5 commands that we "in everything give thanks." Notice that God is not asking that we should be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, when we get an A on a test, or when we win the lottery. He commands that we should be thankful even when we experience loss, or we experience trials, or when we are in pain.

As followers of Christ, "we know that all things work together of good for those who love God" Romans 8:28. Even the things that we are at a loss to explain their purpose, God uses to work together for good.

Some events in life are so tragic and horrible that we find it difficult to know how God could possibly use such an event to work together with others for good. But goodness is in God's nature. "For every creation of God is good" Titus 4:4.

For followers of Christ, God works with the evil that exists in the world to work His will in our lives. Many times it is difficult for us to see God's purposes. Remembering Psalms 103:19 can be very important to you. "The LORD has established his throne in heaven; his kingdom extends over everything." Aways know that God is sovereign. He is God. We are His creations. As His creatures, trust Him for He is good and in everything give thanks.

Prayer:

Father, we don't always understand the things that happen to us in this life. We question you and ask why. Forgive us when we forget your sovereignty, when we forget that we are Your creation and that You love us. Strengthen us to endure the trials of life, for Your purposes are good and Your love for us endures. In the name of Christ Jesus, amen.