"Walk by the Spirit . . . led by the Spirit . . . live by the Spirit . . . keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:16, 25
Dear Friends,
Every New Year, many people make resolutions. The intention is to do something that will improve ourselves in some essential way. Usually that is taking care of our bodies, promise to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose weight. Those who make these resolutions have the best intentions yet within a few weeks, those promises to dissipate.
It is much like what the apostle Paul says in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” If Paul, who was a faithful follower of Jesus, struggled in this way, we may feel affirmed if we struggle in a similar way.
It takes discipline and self-control to stay on track with the changes we want to make in ourselves. But it is possible.
We say that through our belief in Jesus Christ, we are a new creation, but this is not an instantaneous condition. It is something that takes our entire life to achieve.
There are many ways to make effective changes in ourselves. Sometimes making resolutions to change our physical selves might help, but what if we can achieve our goals by spending more time on the spiritual aspects of ourselves?
The PCUSA has had a position that the church should grow both “deep and wide”. To grow “deep” refers to our personal spiritual growth, and to grow “wide” is to welcome others into our fellowship. As a church we would want to put equal emphasis on both.
Churches are good at measuring our growth in “wide” ways. We count how many people attend worship, attend Sunday school, and keep track of the people who have left and those who have joined the church. We, however, are not good at measuring growth in “deep” ways.
The question we might ask ourselves, is how can I resolve this year to grow spiritually? There are ways to assess our spiritual growth and then produce an action plan to accomplish our goals. I believe that if we seek spiritual growth, the normal resolutions made will happen naturally. This is because the closer our walk with God through the work of the Holy Spirit, the more we are encouraged to take care of our bodies, hearts, minds, and souls. One assessment tool (see below) I found online, breaks down our spiritual life into these categories:
• Abide in Christ
• Live by God’s Word
• Pray in Faith
• Build godly Relationships
• Witness to the World
• Minister to Others
A book that I have found helpful in this process is “Soul Feast” by Marjorie Thompson. She ends the book by encouraging us to write “A Rule of Life.” A “Rule of Life” could include things we will do daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly to meet the goals we have for ourselves.
My hope for our church in 2025 is that we will consider how we can grow both deep and wide in this new year. For me, this is the best resolution that we could make, and with the help from one another and the Holy Spirit, we can bear good fruit for the glory of God.
I thank God for you,
Pastor Kathy Nealand
“So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
“ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20
“So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42
“[Paul Gives Thanks to God] I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.” -1 Corinthians 1:4-5
“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
As we begin a new season in the church, it is good and right to think about what we mean when we pray “give us this day, our daily bread.” It is all about God’s provision. If we see God as a parent, we know that if we have a need, God will provide exactly what we need. The scripture verse above proves the case. Ask and it will be given to you. Knock and the door will be opened.
All children are precious to God. Psalm 139 speaks to God knowing us before we were born. At our conception we are “children of God.” We belong to God by way of grace. However, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we know that we are children of God (John 1:12). To acknowledge that we are children of God is a sign that our rebirth from above has begun to take place in our lives. It says that we accept the fact that regardless of our age, we need and want to be parented by our heavenly Father.
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)
