As we close up the month, I was thinking about all the resolutions we make for the year. So many promises, very seldom kept! As I was praying about what to share with you this week, I woke up with our foundational text ringing in my spirit.

You might think, oh, I've heard all this before. So why haven't you kept your resolutions all these years then? Could it be you need yet another gentle reminder? Don't feel bad. I need it too!

What I love most about God is the simplicity of the way He works. According to Luke 17 verse 21, the kingdom of God is within you. The Kingdom is God's way of doing things or God's method of operation. In order to know what the Government requires, we need to study the law of the land, so to speak.

Let's do an exercise:

When you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you became a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15). Think of it as a new citizen. You went from being a citizen of the world to being a citizen of heaven. And not just a citizen, but you become royalty, as you are now a joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). In the world, you apply for citizenship; you study; you get tested; if you pass, you are sworn in under that government and then get to enjoy all the benefits of being a citizen in that country (i.e. if you become an American citizen, now you may vote). In God's government, it's backwards: you are ?sworn in? so to speak; you study; you take a ?test? (you go through a trial); if you fail, your citizenship isn't revoked, you just take the test again until you pass. So what does this have to do with resolutions? I'm getting there.

As a citizen, in order to enjoy the benefits, we need to study God's method of operating.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us?John 1:14

In order for the Word to become flesh in your life, to become tangible, you have to know what Word goes with your circumstances. Of all your resolutions, which ones are based on God's Word? On His Word we can completely trust knowing that He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) and that with God nothing is ever impossible; no word from Him shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment (Luke 1:37). Of all your resolutions, which ones are based on the promises God has made to His children? If you say, I know this passage is in the Old Testament somewhere, you don't really know it, do you?

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

It's not enough to hear it once; we have to meditate on it to have success. Meditate here is the Hebrew word hagah {daw-gaw?}. It means ?to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak? (for more on this subject, please click here). It's interesting that to meditate also means to plot. How can you plot out your success if you don't even know the basis of the foundation?

So here is your assignment for the week: take out all those resolutions and ask the Holy Spirit where is the ?backup? for the promise in Scripture. For example:

You want to be healthier, so you have this Scripture:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1st Corinthians 6:19

How does this pertain to eating better and exercising? You are honoring God by making sure His ?house? is in tip-top condition. You can now personalize this Scripture: I eat well and exercise because my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in me, and is of God. I am not my own. (For more help in this area, click here for examples). You are choosing to love your God with all your heart, soul, and strength by taking care of what He gave you. See the connection?

The faith for the promises of God is in the promise itself.

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

The word hearing is the Greek word akoe{ak-o-ay?}. One of the definitions for akoe is instruction. So then faith comes by instruction and instruction from the word of God?

God will show you what to do to accomplish the goal. He is so faithful and so loving. He is so kind. All knowledge. He has placed all you need inside of you and has left you the ?laws of the land? so that you can have great success in anything you do. All you have to do is read, study, meditate, and act upon what He tells you to do. The key is the Word. So don't be just a hearer, go and do it, and this year will be the best year of your life.

Keep following Jesus,

Raquel