Resolute

Its usually around this time of year that many of us begin a new years resolution. We start off resolved to accomplish a certain task but then we seem to fizzle out

For instance we buy new exercise gear to help us strengthen our bodies, only to have it become something to hang our clothes on, or sit in the corner as an attractive art piece collecting dust in a corner somewhere.

I say we’ve had enough of the resolution mindset in this country. What we need now more than ever instead of resolutions, is a people not resolved to do something but Resolute to do something.

The word, “resolution”

means to resolve something, or in this relevant sense, to be resolved in the intent to do something.

But, when we look at the word, it kind of leaves an area for excuse making, doesn’t it?

I was resolved to do Y,X, or Z but such & such happened, etc.

For instance, if you take out a loan, you are “Resolved” to pay it back. But if for some unforeseen reason, you lose your job, or get sick or injured, you can’t accomplish what you were originally so resolved in heart to do because of whatever reasons etc,

But, when you are “Resolute” in accomplishing an objective, that means you will accomplish it regardless of the obstacles.

Meaning, if you for some reason you can’t work to pay back that loan, you will either beg, borrow, and even steal in order to fulfill your obligation, or to keep you word.

Brothers and Sisters, this is the attitude we need here in America right now this year.

We need people who will make a decision to be “Resolute” in their committment to God and His church. Not just resolutions that will fall flat by the way side, but Resolute in their Committment to the Lord.

Christian Standard Bible (Psalm 51:10)

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me

I like the way the New English Translation puts it,

Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Resolute/type/net

Enough with the old tired excuses

of what keeps you from getting closer to Him, or what keeps you from participating, or contributing to the needs of the church.

You know, years ago, the church was the center of every community. When members found themselves a little too far away, they would move closer to the church

Nowadays, people find it too inconvenient to get in their heated and air conditioned cars with power brakes and power steering, and even some with self driving cars to drive to a church because its too far a drive!

Did you hear me? I said drive to a church.

The car does all the work, so whats the problem? Its not like God requires you to saddle the old donkey and brave the cold and driving snow, but yet some of us act like it.

If the church is alive, its worth the drive.

Also, even before Yadi & I, were in a leadership position in a church, we made our plans around Sundays services. For example, we were campers, and we would escape for the weekend, but our plans were always to return for Sunday church services.

Now, who does this?

But rather we have a generation that has the attitude,

“If there is nothing better to do, then I’ll show up.”

Boy, I am sure glad Jesus didn’t feel that way when they led Him down the road to His crucifixion , or when they were plucking the whiskers of His beard out from His face, all for you and for me.

I am sure without a doubt, there were a million places better to be than to be facing a tortuous death at the hands of those that felt there was no better place to be at that time than to watch an innocent man die for an ungrateful, and privileged generation.

Shame on those of us, who always seem to find a million and one reasons why they can’t be doers of the Lord’s will, instead of being resolute on the only reason they need to do it, Because Jesus said so.

The time is now.

No more Making excuses

Wake up America,

and answer the call again. We need a revival in this country But it starts right here with you, in this church and all across America.

Stop making excuses, trying to figure out how to get out of church

Make your plans around church!

It’s time we stop relying on excuse making designed to get us off the hook.

My kids know what I say about excuses in my house. I tell my kids that instead of bringing me an excuse, that should bring me a roll of toilet paper

Because, what can I do with an excuse? The answer is nothing, absolutely nothing. An excuse doesn’t do anything, it is a non entity. Non-tangible.

However, a roll of toilet paper, well it at least has a purpose, I leave that with you to figure it out.

The book of Romans confirms that God feels this way too, news flash! “We are without Excuse”

Romans 1:20 (CSB)

For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.

Here is a novel idea,

instead of making useless resolutions. Let’s be resolute in our resolutions.

How many here by a show of hands would like to make a committment to get closer to the Lord starting today?

Pick a number

Great, now Im going to ask you to pick a number

between one and 100.

Do you have that number?

Thats how many people you should invite to your church home.

If you are serious about being resolute,

Then right now before your church brothers and Sisters, we challenge you to put your faith where your mouth is, and be about your fathers business.

But don’t just make a resolution to do, be resolute.

Meaning, no matter what, you are going to lovingly invite that many people to your home church.

I read a book by Tom Rainer,

“More than eight out of ten of all the unchurched said they would come if invited by a Christian. But remember, most of the unchurched indicated in our interviews that they were uncomfortable entering a church building by themselves. They were much more likely to attend if someone walked with them into the building.”

They did a poll that showed people would come to visit a church if they were invited.

This year, be resolute to put your faith in action.

For the rest of this year we are going to concentrate on not just going to church, but actually Being the church.

Do Something!

We are told several times in scripture, that we are to not only hear the word of the Lord, but actually do what it says.

Romans 2:13 (CSB)

For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.

Jesus warns us

that if we don’t DO the the will, we are in danger of not even being saved.

Matthew 7:21–27 (CSB)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

Don’t just come to church, that devil does that.

BE THE CHURCH!, IN ACTION!

It’s time to put your faith in action.

James 2:14–26 (CSB)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?

If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

John Calvin said this, “It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies is never alone.”

Make this decision today for yourselves.

And be resolute, “I am going to BE the church today and for the rest of this year, and for the rest of my life.

You may ask

How do I start living like this, I mean how do I start being a doer of the will of the Father?

You start by making a decision to be Resolute in your committment to Him.

If you don’t, then you, the world, or flat out the Devil will always help you find a reason why you can’t.

I always tell people when I am evangelizing, be ready!

Guaranteed like clock work,

Anytime you try to share the gospel with anyone, look out and be ready, because

The dog is gonna bark, the phone is going to ring, the neighbors going to knock on the door, the baby will start crying,

So be RESOLUTE in your committment to share that gospel no matter what comes up, no matter who shows up, no matter what the car does, get a ride.,

Let me break it down for,

If you are struck by a bolt of lighting, be resolute to be ready to share the gospel with the doctors who revive you! Amen!

Glory be to God.

Don’t just be resolved, Be Resolute this year!

Invite your neighbors and friends.

Use what ever resources the Lord has given you. Take them out to lunch afterwards.

Give them a ride. Be with them. Promise to sit with them.

Tell them how happy you are with your church family.

I don’t care what reasons they might have to decline your invitation.

This is a new church, and you are a new creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

Amen to that!

Be Resolute

bring them to church!

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