Revelation in Resolutions

I'll try to keep this short, but I had to record a sort of revelation that I've had in the notion of resolutions. It kind of came about while talking with a dear friend. Thank you, Donna!

As believers in Christ, we are His. He bought us at a price, our lives are no longer ours. So ultimately, resolutions are not ours to make....they are His. Jesus knows what needs to be resolved in us. When we seek Him, surrender ourselves to Him, we will hear Him and He will lead us to those things that He desires to resolve. This is how much He loves us and knows us.

As an example, in my previous post I indicated that Jesus has resolved that our family needs to work on having grace in our speech. He knows that this is an area that hinders us and often separates us from Him. Because we are willing to hear the beautiful voice of our Savior, He is able to reveal these things to us. Oh, how I hope this makes sense. It was just one of those lightbulb moments for me! So, Lord Jesus, resolve away! My life is Yours!

A very freeing revelation, indeed.

A Little Salt with that Grace?

Resolutions. There are a million resolutions I could make. All of them centered around being a better person. Thinking a little deeper about some of those reveals to me that at the heart of it all, I want to be more like Jesus. Any resolution I make outside of Him and His strength will fail anyway. So it seems that I'll save a lot of heartache by narrowing it down to just Him. But, I really don't even like to say that I "resolve" to be more like Him. It's so weighty and lofty. It doesn't seem to fit with His words of comfort to let Him bear our burdens.

The bottom line is that I want more of Him. To embrace more of Him, fills me with more of Him.

I do know one thing that my Savior has already shared with me. He so gently and lovingly whispered to me: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Col. 4:6). This is His work for our family this year. What a privilege to know that my King knows us so well and takes the time to help us be more like Him. So over the next year, this verse and many related to it, will be gone over and over. There will, no doubt, be plenty of opportunities to practice also! I have some ideas for how to help us remember these words while decorating our home as well. I'll keep you posted....it may take me a while. They are only ideas, after all.

Praying this new year brings you deeper into His love,

.....Love, Jesus

Dear Beloved,

I so look forward to this time with you each year. The years seem to go by faster and faster.

I've been thinking about words quite a bit recently. That may sound strange, but I think you'll understand as I explain. See, words are important to me....My words have been recorded for you, I am the Word, the way by which you find me. By My word, grace came down to a lowly stable that you may receive a gift not earned or deserved, but my demostration of love toward you.

My hope is that you too will think about the importance of words. It is by words that you come to me, through your prayers. Words express your thoughts and feelings. Oh, how I hope you will take time to find Me in My words this new year.

But something very delicate and dear to me are also effected by words; the hearts of My children that I hold in My hands. I see the other side of words, the side that many can't see, not with human eyes, the way words penetrate to the core of the hearts I hold so close to Me.

I know you have a desire to please me and be with me. And as I want to be with you, I want to be with others also. You have the great privilege of being able to carry Me to all those around you. Thorugh you, I can touch the hearts of many. So remember this: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one."

All My love poured out on you,

Jesus