Well, here comes that time again, where millions of people will make their New Year’s resolution. Although January 1st doesn’t mark the real New Year, the majority of the earth’s population will, nevertheless, celebrate it. Therefore, let me bid every one reading this blog, a Happy New Year!
What about resolutions? Over the years I have heard preachers and pastors tell us not to have any New Year’s resolutions. I have also heard about the same amount of ministers say otherwise. So, what am I do? Well, I will set some goals for this upcoming year, even though, I celebrate most of the year’s events according to the Jewish Calendar. So, what are some of my primary goals:
1. To be a better husband and father this year. (Always a good goal.)
2. To complete my Master’s degree on time without an extension.
3. To finish writing my book and getting it published sometime in 2008. (The book I am writing is this: Yeshua, the Alef and Tav: How the Alpha and Omega Is Revealed in the Tanach.)
4. To effectively minister the Good News of the Messiah to the Jew and Gentile, respectively.
5. To labor among many congregations, fellowships, and churches throughout the year. And,
6. To read the Tanach and Apostolic Scriptures and to journal everyday.
For some people, these may not seem to be hard goals; however, for me–raising three children, working 40+ hours a week, being a full-time student, and writing a book–it is quite the task.
What about resolutions. Are they biblical? Nehemiah, one of my favorite Prophets, had been given a passion to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem because his kinsmen left in Israel were in "great distress and held in contempt." This broke Nehemiah’s heart, and he then began to cry out to the Lord, and repent on behalf of all the people. He prayed that YHVH would allow the wall to be rebuilt and he prayed for the return of the scattered remnant back to Israel.
Nehemiah recognized and believed the importance of the promises of ADONAI YAHWEH. Well, as history has it, Nehemiah was granted his hearts desire; however, this did not come without a price: They faced opposition, and were hated. Many of the workers built the wall with one hand while the other hand held a sword ready for battle at a moment’s notice. Over time, the wall was built, the remnant returned, and they held a celebration. Now, if that doesn’t define the Jewish people’s Modus Operandi today: They attacked us, we won, now let’s eat, then I don’t know what does.
I don’t know if many people understand the significance of Nehemiah’s "goal" to rebuild the wall, but with out this God-given passion, the Messiah’s birth would not have been fulfilled. In Daniel 9:24ff it reads:
"Know, therefore, and discern that seven weeks [of years] will elapse between the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Yerushalayim (Nehemiah’s given decree of the King) until an anointed prince comes. It will remain built for for sixty-two weeks [of years], with open spaces and moats; but these will be troubled times. Then, after sixty-two weeks, Mashiach will be cut off and have nothing. The people of a prince yet to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary, but his end will come with a flood, and desolations are decreed until the war is over. He will make a strong covenant with leaders for one week [of years]. For half of the week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and the grain offering. On the wing of detestable things the desolator will come and continue until the already decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator" (parenthesis and emphasis mine, CJB Version).
Without going into detail, Yeshua fulfilled this cutting off to the precise day, and the remainder of weeks above will be fulfilled as well.
Nehemiah’s passion to set a goal, became a means of the Messiah’s foretold birth. Although this blog is not designed to deal with all the details of prophecy, it is designed, nevertheless, to deal with New Year’s goals (resolutions). And, who knows, your goal may be the catalyst for great things to come. The real question to whether or not we should have resolutions should be: Do you believe Yeshua when He said, ". . . one day you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of HaG’vurah and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64b), and do you believe in yourself?
Nehemiah believed that he could accomplish a great thing with God’s help. Do you believe?
So, set some godly goals, and pray that the grace and strength of YHVH help you to accomplish those goals. The Body of Messiah is counting on you. Shalom!
Adrian A. Bernal
"Changing the way people think, one blog at a time."
Copyright 2007, All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to Oaks Of Righteousness Ministries 
4 responses to “A New Year”
I think it is important that while you may not "celebrate" the New Year on Jan. 1st, "most of the world", you still find good in it – and pull it back to scripture. I haven\’t put much thought into godly New Years resolutions – I should. Starting with being a better husband, listening to God\’s voice – thru regular study and prayer time, and being a better worker at my job God has provided for me, and being a better steward of the money God has entrusted in my hands. Perhaps the most important thing about resolutions – is accountability. Accountability is something we talked about in a meeting on Sat – at church on Sunday – and with a friend on Monday. seems to keep coming up! Having a couple people you can trust and that you can be open and genuine with….someone that will lovingly hold you accountable. You could probably find statistics somewhere that show most people drop New Years Resolutions within the first few weeks!
Rob: How right you are!
It\’s funny, but when I was pastoring full-time, I had no shortage of "saints" that kept me accountable. However, many of them used some of my weaknesses for gossip, or just to slander. I quickly came to undersand that having valuable friends that I could trust with my life was true accountability. These firends, a small amount, never held judgment and allowed the Holy Spirit to do His work in my life. These other "friends" were no where to be found when I had a crisis or when they had to be accountable for their actions or words.
I guess what I am saying is that accountability is exceptional when you have trusted friends; however, be cautious of who these people are. They can make or break you, all under the umbrella of "accountability." I thank God for my trusted friends that have held me accountable over the years. This is truly an inheritance and some of the "riches" the Lord has in store for us.
Shalom,
Adrian
Hi honey! Yes, I actually read your blog! You are such a good writer. You are going to be very successful!!!
I love you. Jennie
Resolutions are a great way to enhance discipline,
perseverance, and to build a bridge between "us" and the divine in us