ကူးယူချက် 🔗
WEBVTT
00:00:26.390 --> 00:00:27.030
Well, welcome back.
00:00:27.109 --> 00:00:33.829
This is Lessons for Life, where we explore how to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually through biblical wisdom.
00:00:33.990 --> 00:00:37.269
I'm James Long Jr., and I'm glad that you're with us today.
00:00:37.509 --> 00:00:42.149
Now, in our last episode, we talked about how to set goals that actually matter.
00:00:42.390 --> 00:00:49.670
Goals rooted not just in motivation or productivity habits, but at a heart aligned with God's purposes.
00:00:49.829 --> 00:00:54.310
We walked through a framework to help you reflect, define key areas of life.
00:00:54.549 --> 00:00:56.230
We crafted smarter goals.
00:00:56.390 --> 00:01:03.109
Remember, S-M-A-R-T-E-R goals that aligned with your plans and with biblical priorities.
00:01:03.269 --> 00:01:06.709
Now, if you missed that episode, I encourage you to go back and listen.
00:01:06.870 --> 00:01:12.469
It's a great place to begin if you're looking to reset your rhythm and to renew your focus this year.
00:01:12.709 --> 00:01:15.349
Now, today we're going a step deeper.
00:01:15.670 --> 00:01:21.510
Because the truth is, even the best goals mean very little if they don't move us to faithful action.
00:01:21.670 --> 00:01:25.430
And many of us start strong, but we lose focus by February.
00:01:25.590 --> 00:01:31.270
So let's talk about how we can resolve not just to start but to finish well.
00:01:31.350 --> 00:01:35.030
And we're going to take our cue from someone who lived with holy intention.
00:01:35.189 --> 00:01:37.270
His name was Jonathan Edwards.
00:01:37.590 --> 00:01:40.790
Jonathan Edwards and the power of godly resolve.
00:01:41.030 --> 00:01:50.549
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.
00:01:50.710 --> 00:01:54.549
He lived with an enduring sense of purpose before the face of God.
00:01:54.710 --> 00:02:04.310
Now, as a young man, he penned a series of 70 statements, firm, clear declarations of how he would live a God-centered life.
00:02:04.469 --> 00:02:12.629
They weren't legalistic, they were deeply personal, Christ exalting, and aimed at the glory of God in every area of his life.
00:02:12.870 --> 00:02:15.189
Now, here are just a couple of examples.
00:02:15.509 --> 00:02:22.469
Resolved never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way that I can.
00:02:22.870 --> 00:02:27.349
Resolved to live with all my might while I do live.
00:02:27.669 --> 00:02:34.629
Resolved never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.
00:02:34.869 --> 00:02:46.549
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.
00:02:46.789 --> 00:02:50.709
Now, what if we approached our own year the same way?
00:02:51.429 --> 00:02:54.949
Why, resolutions fail and resolves flourish.
00:02:55.189 --> 00:02:59.909
Most resolutions fade because they are based on our willpower.
00:03:00.149 --> 00:03:10.310
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.
00:03:10.469 --> 00:03:13.909
They lack a direction, clarity, and spiritual fuel.
00:03:14.229 --> 00:03:16.949
Biblical resolve, on the other hand, is different.
00:03:17.030 --> 00:03:19.669
It begins with dependence, not determination.
00:03:19.909 --> 00:03:22.229
It starts with God, not just goals.
00:03:22.469 --> 00:03:24.949
Now let me give you some contrast.
00:03:25.269 --> 00:03:26.310
Resolutions.
00:03:26.469 --> 00:03:27.989
Now let's think about it.
00:03:28.310 --> 00:03:31.109
Resolutions are often reactive.
00:03:31.429 --> 00:03:34.229
Resolves are intentionally reflective.
00:03:34.469 --> 00:03:37.030
Resolutions are based on willpower.
00:03:37.349 --> 00:03:39.669
Resolves are fueled by grace.
00:03:39.989 --> 00:03:42.310
Resolutions focus on behavior.
00:03:42.549 --> 00:03:44.869
Resolves focus on the heart.
00:03:45.189 --> 00:03:48.069
Resolutions easily are forgotten.
00:03:48.310 --> 00:03:50.869
Resolves are anchored in conviction.
00:03:51.109 --> 00:03:55.590
So as you look ahead this year, don't just ask, what do I want to change?
00:03:55.829 --> 00:03:58.869
Ask, what is God calling me to become?
00:03:59.509 --> 00:04:02.549
Three anchors for Godward resolve.
00:04:02.789 --> 00:04:10.789
Now let me offer you three anchors that will help you to move from surface level resolutions to lasting gospel-shaped resolve.
00:04:11.030 --> 00:04:15.109
The first one is this anchor your resolve in Scripture.
00:04:15.349 --> 00:04:21.829
The Word of God is not just a guidebook, it's our daily bread, it's the lamp to our feet.
00:04:22.069 --> 00:04:36.629
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.
00:04:37.110 --> 00:04:39.110
That's a model worth following.
00:04:39.350 --> 00:04:45.430
Start your year not just with a Bible reading plan, but with a posture of prayerful hunger.
00:04:45.670 --> 00:04:49.350
Ask yourself, what truth do I need to cling to?
00:04:49.590 --> 00:04:51.750
What lies do I need to confront?
00:04:51.990 --> 00:04:55.350
What promises will fuel my pursuits of Christ?
00:04:55.830 --> 00:04:59.750
So, first, I want you to anchor your resolve in Scripture.
00:04:59.910 --> 00:05:03.350
Second, examine the why behind your what.
00:05:03.990 --> 00:05:06.470
See, behind every goal is a motive.
00:05:06.629 --> 00:05:12.150
Some are noble, others are rooted in fear, comparison, pride, or guilt.
00:05:12.550 --> 00:05:17.910
Take time to ask, why do I want to change this area of my life?
00:05:18.230 --> 00:05:21.590
Is it for my comfort or is it for the glory of God?
00:05:21.910 --> 00:05:31.110
Scripture says in Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23, keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.
00:05:31.430 --> 00:05:34.790
Lasting change starts from the inside out.
00:05:35.350 --> 00:05:38.310
So first, anchor your resolve in Scripture.
00:05:38.550 --> 00:05:41.430
Second, examine the why behind your what.
00:05:41.910 --> 00:05:46.470
Third, commit to daily dependence, not yearly determination.
00:05:46.950 --> 00:05:50.629
See, it's easy to make big declarations in January.
00:05:50.790 --> 00:05:55.189
It's much harder to walk in dependence in February, March, and beyond.
00:05:55.430 --> 00:06:03.350
One of Edwards's practices was to read his resolves weekly as a way to examine his heart and to renew his focus.
00:06:03.590 --> 00:06:04.870
We can do the same.
00:06:05.030 --> 00:06:13.590
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.
00:06:13.830 --> 00:06:17.350
Jesus said, Apart from me, you can do what?
00:06:17.750 --> 00:06:18.390
Nothing.
00:06:18.550 --> 00:06:19.189
That's right.
00:06:19.430 --> 00:06:21.270
John chapter 15, verse 5.
00:06:21.590 --> 00:06:27.670
Jesus was telling us that we can't do anything spiritually of any significance without him.
00:06:28.069 --> 00:06:30.230
That's not discouragement, it's freedom.
00:06:30.390 --> 00:06:33.430
It means that we're not left alone to ourselves.
00:06:33.670 --> 00:06:35.830
So here's some final thoughts.
00:06:36.069 --> 00:06:37.910
I want you to consider this, my friend.
00:06:38.069 --> 00:06:42.710
As you begin this year, don't be content with shallow goals or temporary hype.
00:06:42.950 --> 00:06:53.670
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.
00:06:53.910 --> 00:06:58.710
You don't need to figure it all out today, but you can take a next step.
00:06:59.030 --> 00:07:08.310
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.
00:07:08.470 --> 00:07:18.069
This is where you'll find planning tools, goal-setting worksheets, devotional studies, and a Christ-centered community committed to growth and transformation.
00:07:18.310 --> 00:07:23.910
Visit community.jameslongjr.org.
00:07:24.069 --> 00:07:33.189
That's community.jamslongjr.org to learn more and take the next step.
00:07:33.430 --> 00:07:35.750
Well, thanks for listening to Lessons for Life.
00:07:35.910 --> 00:07:43.830
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.
00:07:44.069 --> 00:07:47.910
Until then, keep walking by faith and living resolved.
00:07:48.150 --> 00:07:49.750
Blessings, everyone.