Resolutions

This isn’t exactly a good Wisdom Wednesday, but it will have to suffice. This week I’ve been reading passages on anger, anxiety, self discipline, and just last night, contentment. All the Scripture has been good for me to think about. One statement that was particularly thought-provoking was this one:

If I become content by having my desire satisfied, that is only _____lust______. James 4:1-6

How often do we think we’re content because we got what we wanted and are now happy? It’s a good thought, and a helpful one as I work on disciplining my thoughts toward righteousness.

Before I forget, I want to mention my goals…

I have also two goals I’m working on. I could call them New Year’s Resolutions.

First, when I was evaluating the goals I made last year, I noticed that I struggled most on the chronological Bible reading plan when I was reading something unfamiliar or hard to understand. In some ways, my lack of discipline was revealed, because I didn’t have any “fun” reading to make me feel like I had actually done my devotions or read something useful.

So I’d like to do better at this by actually working on understanding some of those passages. I decided that for each book of the Bible that I’m struggling with, I’d take the time to actually try to understand it, instead of skimming it, calling it a day, and feeling dreadful. I’m planning on using the many commentaries and study tools I inherited when my Dad and brother merged libraries earlier this year. I’ve already done this with Job, a little bit, mostly to see if I was on the right track, or if I was way off in my understanding of that book.

My second goal is to work on memorization more. The way I’m going to do that is to memorize the book of Philippians this year. That’s a good goal because our church is doing it, so there’s some accountability. It’s also a good goal because it’s doable: just two verses each week. I’m going to have to be deliberate about it, though, because I don’t memorize automatically like I did when I was a kid. It’s going to take work.

That’s all for now.  Now I need to go be diligent. Is God’s Word changing you at all this week?

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2 Responses to "Resolutions"

  • Hi, Don’t know how I came across your blog but its great. In August God put a desire in my heart to begin weekly memorizing a scripture. I presented it to the PTCF at my kids school (florida Christian school). the mom’s all agreed. I was a bit discouraged when many didn’t want to.
    I continued on. Four weeks ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. God has used every scripture I ever learned to help me battle the negative thoughts and attacks from satan. Continue on. The Word will never return void. Hope you will pray for me as well.
    Blessings,
    Lisa
    lisalorenzo.typepad.com

    1 Lisa Loren said this (August 29, 2010 at 1:32 pm)


  • Lisa, Thanks for your encouraging and challenging note! I am thrilled to see how God used His Word for good in your life. Praying for you now. :)

    2 Michelle said this (August 29, 2010 at 1:41 pm)


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I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, but my greatest desire for my audience is that they would be inspired and motivated to search the scriptures for themselves. God promises to give wisdom to any believer who searches for it His way. Here are some Bible study links I have found of interest and help.

Chronological Bible: ESV

Read the Bible chronologically. The first time I read through the Bible in the order everything happened, I learned so much and gained an incredible understanding of the big picture of Scripture. If you've never done it, you should!

Bible Gateway

From this website you can search for scriptures in a number of versions and languages by key words, phrases, or references. I use this website often when I post Scripture on my blog, so then I don't have to worry about typing in the verse accurately.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

This is a fantastic online version of a classic reference tool. Basically this is a list of cross references based on particular passages. Simply click on the verse or passage you are studying, and you will find other references to other relevant Scripture.

Bible Commentaries Online

A list of classic Bible commentaries. Sometimes they're hard to understand, but they can be helpful when you're wanting more insight into a passage you are studying.

More Bible Study Resources

This is a page of links for articles and audio on the topic of studying the Bible. Some are not easy to read, but they are helpful.
The rest of this website has a tremendous amount of resources that may be of interest.


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