Biblical Resolution
for All Times, not
just the New Year
Adornment
“And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom
12:2)
Lord, I
do resolve to focus on inward adornment for my soul rather than outward
conformity to the world. Help me not to succumb to the pressure of the world to
indulge in the latest fashions.
Bible
“Search the
scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of me” (Jn
Lord, I
do resolve to read at least one chapter of the Bible everyday and to meditate
on at least one verse in the chapter during the day. Help me, Lord, to
persevere on and to pick it up again if for some reason, I neglect my
appointment with thee on certain days.
Confession
“Confess your
faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jms
Lord, I do resolve to confess my sin to thee day by
day; and where necessary to confess it to those I hurt or those who will help
me to be accountable to the Lord. Help me, Lord, to put aside my pride that I
may do what is right.
Decisions
“But seek ye first
the
Lord, I resolve to give priority to seeking thee first
in all my decisions and use of time. Help me not to forget Thee in whatever I
have to do whether it has to do with work, recreation, education or
relationships.
Eternal
Life
“Fight the good
fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and
hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1Tm
Lord, I do resolve to lay hold on eternal life or to
be fully assured of my relationship with Thee by being very serious in my
Christian life. Help me, Lord, to live by the power of the resurrection.
Friendship
“A man that hath
friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer
than a brother” (Prov
Lord, I will
resolve to maintain existing friendship and cultivate new ones. Help me to
remember that there is only one Friend who will never leave me nor forsake me,
but at the same time, help to feel the importance of having good friends with
whom I can fellowship with.
Glory
“Whether therefore
ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1Cor
Lord, I do resolve to seek thy glory in all that I do
even in the mundane things of daily existence. Help me to receive all things
thou dost bestow on me with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Heaven
“But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also” (Mt 6:20-21).
Lord, I do resolve to be heavenly minded. Help me to
lay up treasures in heaven by seeking to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in
me; by good works; and by leading others to Christ or strengthening their
faith.
Industry
“Go to the ant,
thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Prov 6:1)
Lord, I will resolve to be diligent and industrious in
all that I am appointed to do. Help me to overcome my natural laziness and
sluggishness.
Joy
“Rejoice in the
Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4).
Lord, I do resolve to rejoice in Christ and to
maintain a merry heart (Prov
Knowledge
3
“The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov
Lord, I do resolve to deepen in my knowledge of Thee
and what duty Thou dost require of me. Help me to be diligent and attentive
therefore when I read Thy Word or hear Thy Word preached; and give me the
desire to read good Christian books.
Lord’s
Day
“Remember the
sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex 20:8).
Lord, I do resolve to remember that the Lord’s Day
belongs to thee. Help me to use it in the way that Thou hast appointed in Thy
word that I may rest from my own recreation and labours, and delight in the
means that Thou has appointed for my spiritual rest.
Meekness
“Blessed are the
meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5).
Lord, I do resolve to cultivate meekness in my soul by
seeking to respond to all trials and quarrels with the meekness of Christ. Help
me to be swift to hear and receive all criticism humbly rather than to be quick
to defend myself or to retort with uncharitable words.
No
Delay
“Whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor
knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Eccl 9:10).
Lord, I do resolve to do what I believe I ought to do
today; and to do it well. Help me not to procrastinate, but to do it now when
what I ought to do will bless some one or glorify thy name.
Order
“Let all things be
done decently and in order” (1 Cor
Lord, I do resolve to try to be orderly rather than
haphazard in the use of my time. Help me to maintain at least a rough plan, if
not a timetable for each day of the week.
Prayer
“Pray without
ceasing” (1Th
Lord, I do resolve to cultivate a consistent practice
of prayer. Remind me to pray before I begin the day. Remind me to keep my daily
appointment with thee. Remind me to close the day with prayer.
Quietness
“And that ye study
to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as
we commanded you” (1Th
Lord, I will resolve to study to be quiet rather than
being opinionated and full of complaints. Help me see the value of living
peaceably with all men as far as possible.
Respect
“Honour thy father
and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee” (Dt
Lord, I do resolve to honour and respect my parents
and all who have been appointed over me. Help me, Lord, to be obedient to thy
commandment especially when pride tempts me to think that someone I ought to
respect is not worthy of my respect for any reason.
Sincerity
“Bless the LORD, O
my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Ps 103:1).
Lord, I do resolve to serve and worship thee with all
sincerity. Help me, rather to fight against all hypocrisy in service and to
arrest all wondering thoughts in worship that I may not take thy name in vain.
Time
“See then that ye
walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the
days are evil” (Eph
Lord, I do resolve to redeem the time. Help me to use
my time wisely. Help me not to squander my time in meaningless pursuits.
Unity
“Behold, how good
and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps 133:1)
Lord, I do resolve to seek the unity of love in the
church that thou hast placed me in. Help me to begin by actively laying down my
life for the brethren and passively bearing no grudge against those who have
offended me.
Victory
“For whatsoever is
born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith” (1Jn 5:4).
Lord, I do resolve to live a victorious Christian life
which reflects the victory that Christ has secured over sin, the devil and the
world. Help me to cultivate such a life and to manifest it in my attitude,
prayer and relationships.
Wisdom
“If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him” (Jms 1:5).
Lord, I do resolve to remember to ask thee for wisdom
when I am faced with difficult decisions. Help me not to make any such
decisions without consciously praying.
X’tra
Mile
“And whosoever
shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain” (Mt
Lord, I will resolve to go the extra mile. Help me not
to be reluctant and calculative when comes to doing good or helping others.
Yearning
“And Paul said, I
would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both
almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds” (Acts 26:29).
Lord, I will resolve to cultivate a yearning for the
souls of sinners such as Paul had. Help me, Lord, not to become complacent and
callous in regard to the destiny of the lost who remain in unbelief.
“It is good to be
zealously affected always in a good thing” (Gal 4:18a).
Lord, I do resolve to serve Thee zealously rather than
in a half-hearted manner. Help me to serve thee joyfully and zealously in all
the duties that have been appointed me whether at home, in church or at home.
—JJ Lim