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Let’s make a “white dot” New Year’s Resolution by first considering an isosceles triangle . . .
There are three equal sides. When we make a New Year’s Resolution this year, let’s use this image to guide us.
There is a possibility that my brain is recycling my high school geometry, but I also know that our minds remember images better than words on a page.
I bet you will remember the words of this Interruption because of this image . . .
Now consider three verses of Scripture . . .
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15, ESV).
and . . .
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30).
and . . .
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
When making a resolution for 2024, ask three questions based on the above verses — one for each side of the triangle. Questions of equal importance!
If answering “no” to one of these questions, it’s not a good resolution.
Side 1 Question: Is the resolution God’s will?
Side 2 Question: Is this resolution motivated by a love for God?
Side 3 Question: Does this resolution require faith?
What’s the white dot about?
If a resolution or any decision is a solid “yes” for all questions, think of a white dot in the middle of this triangle — we now have our 2024 resolution in the middle of God’s will!
When we know a decision/resolution/vow is God’s will, then we can actualize this promise by Jesus . . .
If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:14).
For years, I have been encouraged by the following quote on prayer by Paul Miller in his book A Praying Life. Of all the books that I’ve read on prayer, considering them all, this is my favorite quote . . .
All of Jesus’ teachings on prayer in the Gospels can be summarized with one word: ask. His greatest concern is that our failure or reluctance to ask keeps us distant from God. But that is not the only reason he tells us to ask anything. God wants to give us good gifts. He loves to give.
Remember: God’s will — Love for God — Ask in faith!