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Well, welcome back.
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This is Lessons for Life, where we explore how to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually through biblical wisdom.
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I'm James Long Jr., and I'm glad that you're with us today.
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Now, in our last episode, we talked about how to set goals that actually matter.
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Goals rooted not just in motivation or productivity habits, but at a heart aligned with God's purposes.
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We walked through a framework to help you reflect, define key areas of life.
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We crafted smarter goals.
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Remember, S-M-A-R-T-E-R goals that aligned with your plans and with biblical priorities.
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Now, if you missed that episode, I encourage you to go back and listen.
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It's a great place to begin if you're looking to reset your rhythm and to renew your focus this year.
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Now, today we're going a step deeper.
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Because the truth is, even the best goals mean very little if they don't move us to faithful action.
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And many of us start strong, but we lose focus by February.
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So let's talk about how we can resolve not just to start but to finish well.
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And we're going to take our cue from someone who lived with holy intention.
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His name was Jonathan Edwards.
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Jonathan Edwards and the power of godly resolve.
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Jonathan Edwards, who was one of the greatest theological minds in American history, didn't sit down on New Year's Day to write a few casual resolutions.
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He lived with an enduring sense of purpose before the face of God.
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Now, as a young man, he penned a series of 70 statements, firm, clear declarations of how he would live a God-centered life.
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They weren't legalistic, they were deeply personal, Christ exalting, and aimed at the glory of God in every area of his life.
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Now, here are just a couple of examples.
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Resolved never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way that I can.
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Resolved to live with all my might while I do live.
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Resolved never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
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Now these weren't aspirational statements, they were daily declarations of dependence, resolves that sprang from scripture, reflection, and a heart captured by the glory of God.
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Now, what if we approached our own year the same way?
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Why, resolutions fail and resolves flourish.
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Most resolutions fade because they are based on our willpower.
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They start with good intentions, eating healthier, reading more, getting more organized, but they often fail because they aren't rooted in the deeper why.
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They lack a direction, clarity, and spiritual fuel.
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Biblical resolve, on the other hand, is different.
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It begins with dependence, not determination.
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It starts with God, not just goals.
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Now let me give you some contrast.
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Resolutions.
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Now let's think about it.
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Resolutions are often reactive.
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Resolves are intentionally reflective.
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Resolutions are based on willpower.
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Resolves are fueled by grace.
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Resolutions focus on behavior.
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Resolves focus on the heart.
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Resolutions easily are forgotten.
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Resolves are anchored in conviction.
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So as you look ahead this year, don't just ask, what do I want to change?
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Ask, what is God calling me to become?
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Three anchors for Godward resolve.
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Now let me offer you three anchors that will help you to move from surface level resolutions to lasting gospel-shaped resolve.
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The first one is this anchor your resolve in Scripture.
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The Word of God is not just a guidebook, it's our daily bread, it's the lamp to our feet.
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One of Edward's resolves was this resolve to study the scripture so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
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That's a model worth following.
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Start your year not just with a Bible reading plan, but with a posture of prayerful hunger.
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Ask yourself, what truth do I need to cling to?
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What lies do I need to confront?
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What promises will fuel my pursuits of Christ?
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So, first, I want you to anchor your resolve in Scripture.
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Second, examine the why behind your what.
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See, behind every goal is a motive.
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Some are noble, others are rooted in fear, comparison, pride, or guilt.
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Take time to ask, why do I want to change this area of my life?
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Is it for my comfort or is it for the glory of God?
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Scripture says in Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23, keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.
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Lasting change starts from the inside out.
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So first, anchor your resolve in Scripture.
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Second, examine the why behind your what.
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Third, commit to daily dependence, not yearly determination.
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See, it's easy to make big declarations in January.
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It's much harder to walk in dependence in February, March, and beyond.
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One of Edwards's practices was to read his resolves weekly as a way to examine his heart and to renew his focus.
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We can do the same.
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Instead of seeing our goals as a one-time decision, see them as a daily invitation to walk with God, one faithful step at a time.
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Jesus said, Apart from me, you can do what?
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Nothing.
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That's right.
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John chapter 15, verse 5.
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Jesus was telling us that we can't do anything spiritually of any significance without him.
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That's not discouragement, it's freedom.
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It means that we're not left alone to ourselves.
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So here's some final thoughts.
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I want you to consider this, my friend.
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As you begin this year, don't be content with shallow goals or temporary hype.
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Take your time to reflect and write the goals, but more importantly, live resolved, anchored in Scripture, fueled by His grace, and aiming for His glory.
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You don't need to figure it all out today, but you can take a next step.
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If you're ready to go deeper with applying this kind of intentional living, I want to invite you to join the navigator level of our Lessons for Life community.
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This is where you'll find planning tools, goal-setting worksheets, devotional studies, and a Christ-centered community committed to growth and transformation.
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Visit community.jameslongjr.org.
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That's community.jamslongjr.org to learn more and take the next step.
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Well, thanks for listening to Lessons for Life.
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I'll see you next time when we talk about what will happen when your goals start to falter and how the gospel speaks to your failure too.
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Until then, keep walking by faith and living resolved.
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Blessings, everyone.