(My) Resolutions (Revised)

Well my friends, another year is upon us. Happy New Year!

With every new year seems to come a flurry of resolutions.
I define "resolution" as a well-meant wish, but lacking true "resolve", commitment.
This year I want things to be different...I feel it needs to be different, really changed up.
This life is not a game, and needs to be lived with a much greater level of  intentionality. 
Grace abounds thankfully, but when we stand before him we will be judged by the things we did-and the things we failed to do, which I personally believe affects where we actually reside in Heaven and what our "rank" will be.
God's Holy and very personal Word to us-is an owner's manual and love letter-and  has much to say to us, both individually and corporately.
Below I have listed some life verses of mine. I revised it to include repentance and every believer's responsibility to share the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah.
I hope they direct, correct, guide, teach, inspire, encourage, and cheer you onwards and upwards:

Love God above all else at all times, not just in word, but in deed: 
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind- Deut.:6:5a, Luke 10:27a, Matt. 27:37a, Mark 12:30a, 


Love others much:
"...and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
Deut 6:5b, Luke 10:27b, Matt27:37b, Mark 12:30b
(Personal note:Commandments 3-10 would not need to be stated if we all fully embraced the first two all the time!)

Keep Him lifted high and and preeminent( our utmost for His Highest) always:
"...And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." Col. 1:18


Repentance:
"Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." Rev.2:5
"Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.  Acts 3:19

Have Faith:
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Romans 10:17
See also Matt.:17:20, Matt.:21:21, Hebrews 11:1-39, 1 Cor. 16:13

Forgive much as you yourself have been forgiven:
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matt.: 6:14-15
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. " Mark 11:25

Be joyful at all times:
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!" Phil.:4:4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds

James 1:2
Also read Gal.:5:22, Proverbs 17:22, 1Peter 1:8

Be thankful:
Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1Thess.5:18
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph.5:20

Grace-receive it and freely extend it towards others:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2Cor.12:9

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1Peter 4:10

Extend mercy:

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36

Seek wisdom:

"Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and shun evil. Prov.3:7

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Perseverance:
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12
"By standing firm you will gain life." Luke 21:19

Have courage:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deut.31:6

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:7

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

Walk in humility:

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil 2:3

Fulfill the Great Commission/Share the Good News:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Matt.28:19

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16

Beloved, this year and every year live intentionally with these words hidden deeply in our hearts, every moment remembering that we were redeemed and ransomed at great expense from death and eternal punishment-a punishment we fully deserved.

Have a truly God-blessed year!