Happy New Year, everyone, from all of us at Joni and Friends!
That’s right, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to a new year… actually, a new decade. I mean, can you believe this? 2010! And I bet you’re especially happy because today is your first day of embarking out on your resolutions, right? Okay, okay. Truth is, I am not big on making resolutions, either. That’s probably because I never keep them. Give up desserts for a year? I usually blow that one the first sight of a chocolate eclair ’round about February. And then there was the time I made a resolution to answer all my mail within a week of receiving it… fat chance of that happening. I’m embarrassed to say I’m still catching up on October’s letters.
I once made a New Year’s resolution to call my sisters back east once a week. That one’s held up okay, but it’s probably because my sisters are the ones to telephone me. Resolutions are funny things. Do not bite nails. Don’t pick at cuticles. Give up sugar. Brush teeth twice a day. Limit yourself to one pat of butter and one scoop of ice cream a week. Turn off the TV. Turn down the radio. The list goes on and on.
But the Bible speaks about resolutions in Romans 14 where the apostle Paul tells his readers to be resolved – isn’t that neat – to be resolved to a new way of living; in other words, commit yourself to a new course and do it. And for this new decade there is, at least, one resolution you ought to consider. Second Corinthians 4 says that “the inner man” must be renewed day by day. That's a must. It’s a necessity. Jesus is someone you must spend time with today, tomorrow, and the next day. The inner man has to be renewed day by day, whether it’s January 1st, 2nd, 3rd, February, March, summer, or fall.
A lot of us allow the year to “wear us down” because we ignore this simple truth. We just kind of jump from spiritual mountain top to mountain top. We read a really good Christian book, learn some new insight or principle or lesson from Scripture, and we let it kind of carry us… We live on its energy from yesterday, sort of cruising until the next spiritual high. But our inner being is renewed not just at Bible study fellowship or when we hear a good sermon. Not just during a monthly Christian luncheon or a seasonal Bible retreat. And certainly, the inner man doesn’t get super‑charged on New Year’s Day with all our good intentions.
Hey, I’m all for stopping biting your nails. And we could all do with a lot less television. And calories? Cut ’em down. Up with fruits and vegetables! But above all, how about doing something that goes a little deeper? Covenant with God today, It’s New Year’s. Covenant with him to hold on to 2 Corinthians 4:16 and each day be renewed. It’s a must. It’s for Christ’s sake. And to help you persevere, don’t forget to visit me online today at joniandfriendsradio.org and ask for your free copy of this excellent sermon on perseverance preached by my good friend, Steve Estes. His words certainly helped me during a time when my spirits were flagging… and his insights on perseverance and pressing on, I know, will bless you. When it comes to perseverance, we need the encouragement of others, so again, come by joniandfriendsradio.org today to order your free copy of this special CD on perseverance.
And I wish you well as you resolve to get to know Jesus better day by day by day. It’s one resolution in 2010 you can’t afford not to keep. And it’ll be what makes this New Year, actually this new decade, truly, truly happy!
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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