Resolutions 2022

It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  At the start of a new year, it is always a good idea to reflect on the previous year and do what so many people do:  they make a new year’s resolution.

The dictionary defines the word, resolution, as a decision as to a future action.  

At the end of last week I began to have a sore throat.  By Sunday evening, I was coughing and sneezing and felt wiped out.  Everyone told me to get a Covid test.  I had all the symptoms.  Thank God it was negative.  I once again had my seasonal cold.

As a teacher of the word of God, I have found that throughout the Bible we read about God’s provision for not only health but healing.  If we need God’s healing it seems pretty obvious that we might get sick.  Why?  That is what I asked the Lord concerning what I was feeling.

While praying for God’s healing, I believe He brought to mind some issues that caused me to get sick.  In the warmer months I spend a lot of time working around the yard.  When it starts to get colder I become a couch potato by either reading or watching TV.  I go from activity to lack of activity.

Also around the holidays, I give in to the temptation to overeat and eat the wrong things.  Cookies, cakes, candy seem to be high items on my menu.  These types of foods lower your ability to fight sickness and disease.

A great preacher of the word of God recently made a statement that hit home with me.  Many places in the Bible talk of the sin of drunkenness.  In some of those Bible references it lists gluttony also as sin.

We may say we don’t drink, but how about overeating.  Romans 8 tells us that if we are truly in Christ Jesus, we will walk after the dictates of the spirit not after the dictates, longings or desires of our flesh.

I read that a man’s chest measurement should be no less than five inches more then our waist.  Yikes, I must have read that backwards. I also noticed that tying my shoes became difficult.

It is easy to determine whether we eat too much.  Look in the mirror.  If I cannot control my flesh, I am giving my born again spirit second place in my life.  

Crucifixion is a painful act.  Crucifying our flesh is many times painful too.  Can you say no to a second helping or that cookie or junk food?

I am in no place to criticize or judge anyone else, but I believe that the Lord made it very clear to me that the reason I wasn’t feeling well was because I did not control the dictates of my flesh which said, feed me too many times.

Did you know that over half of the new year’s resolutions made by people is to lose weight?  Unfortunately most of those resolutions last just a few days and are forgotten.  

I hate to throw out all that candy, all those cookies and treats. Isn’t it a sin to waste food?  So many excuses.  

Can we be resolved to control the desires of our flesh?  I don’t know about you, but with God’s help that is my new year’s resolution.  I can confess healing all I want but I need to control gluttony.

Here are some Biblical references to drunkenness and gluttony to help us out.

Deut. 21: 20; Luke 21: 34 and Prov . 23: 21.

Enjoy your carrot!

- Pastor Jim