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At the beginning of every New Year people make all sorts of resolutions only to forget about them in a couple of days. Some make resolutions to quit smoking, or even to cut down only to realize that they have failed. Others sincerely make ``New Years Resolutions'' only to realize that with all of their good intentions, there are ``circumstances'' preventing them from accomplishing the resolution. For instance, before I became a Christian I tried quitting smoking on numerous occasions with no success. There were always ``friends'' around that would invite me to go out with them to a club or bar and I would be in an environment that was conducive to smoking. So even with my sincere good intentions, I was doomed to failure.
Matthew 19:16-26
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing
shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but
one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt
not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth
up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and
follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he
had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man
shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who
then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible.
And as Mark portrays the rich man's unwillingness:
Mark 10:17-27
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and
kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but
one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not
steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from
my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou
lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou
shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great
possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly
shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again,
and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to
enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a
rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then
can be saved?
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with
God: for with God all things are possible.
This man was proud and trusted not only in his pride but also his riches. This is the same problem that many who make News Years resolutions have. They make the resolution solely trusting in themselves and not in the Lord. Just like the rich man who trusted in his own abilities and wealth, they go away sorrowful without their resolutions being fulfilled. But those who trust in the Lord and put all of their faith and hope in the Lord will have their desires and good intentions fulfilled.
Isaiah 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall
walk, and not faint.
When I became a Christian and I asked the Lord to deliver me from tobacco, then and only then was I able to quit without even having the desire to smoke. Only when I put my trust in Jesus did I gain the ability to forsake my old habits. It was the Lord's power and ability that enabled me to quit. It was the Lord's power that made it possible to walk away from nicotine without any side effects. Look at all of the commercials and various products that are available as aids to help the poor smoker quit. But if you ask those who have quit smoking if they still have the desire to light up, they will invariably say yes. Only Jesus takes away the desire. Only with the Lord is the desire to continue in sin removed. Only the Lord Jesus makes it possible to mount up with wings as eagles and soar. Only with the Lord as the power behind you can you make your resolutions a reality.
Are you tired of making New Years Resolutions, only to fail? Do you want to succeed? Now is the time to put your trust in the Lord and seek His divine power. Only with the Lord's power do we gain the ability to make a resolution that will not fail. With your trust and faith in Jesus, you will be able to rise up and succeed. Only with the power of the Lord Jesus will you have to make your resolutions a success.
If you don't know the Lord, now is the time to call upon him and ask his divine forgiveness. Leave your pride and abilities at the door and take a leap of faith and trust in the Lord Jesus' abilities. Where you have in the past failed, you will find that Jesus will make all things possible.
3014 E Street Philadelphia, PA 19134 Church Office Phone: (215) 634-3637 Published by: Rev. LeRoy D. Cressy (215) 535-4037
Services:
Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10:30 AM
Sunday Morning Worship . . . . . . . . . . 12 NOON
Sunday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 PM
Wednesday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 PM