New Year's resolution (Part 2)

THOMAS: Got any resolutions for now, Jill?

JILL: I’m still thinking of what, Dad.

THOMAS: It’s simple, Jill, just make God the center of your New Year’s resolution and it will have chances for success.

JILL: Still needs commitment, Dad.

THOMAS: Depends then. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it.

JILL: I need to have agreement also with God’s Word so that I will receive God’s help in fulfilling my resolution.

THOMAS: Yes. Try this: Pray to the Lord for wisdom in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make.

JILL: I’ll pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God will give me as I rely on His strength to help me and find an accountability partner who will help and encourage me.

THOMAS: Don’t be discouraged with occasional failures, Jill, but allow them to motivate you further.

JILL: Yes, Dad, I will not become proud or vain, but give to God the glory.

THOMAS: Yes. Prayerfully consider it before you make any resolutions and resolve sensibly, Jill.

JILL: Yes, Dad. I’ll be dependent to God too.

New Year's resolution (Part 1)

JILL: Dad, what is a New Year's resolution?

THOMAS: It’s a secular tradition, Jill, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice.

JILL: It should begin from New Year's Day.

THOMAS: Yes. Such belief trace back from of old when people made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.

Jill: I heard some resolutions include donation to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.

THOMAS: It makes them popular than their goals though.

JILL: Or improve physical well-being: eat healthy food, lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, stop biting nails, get rid of old bad habits

THOMAS: Don’t forget, to improve mental well-being by thinking positive, laughing more often and enjoying life.

JILL: Nothing wrong with that, I guess.

THOMAS: Most important, Jill, is to be more closer to God and be more spiritual.

JILL: Some were only confident of success at the beginning.

THOMAS: We should be determined when we make a kind of resolution.

JILL: Since its our commitments.

THOMAS: But most of our resolutions are in relation to physical things. This should not be.

JILL: Resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly—these may be fantastic goals.

THOMAS: We must have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity.

JILL: Yes, Dad, I’ll remember that.

THOMAS: Ok.  

Giving thanks always for all things to God

Jill: Dad, do we have to give God our thanks always for all things?

THOMAS: Yes, my darling, we need to. Thanking God is united with unceasing joy and prayer for what He has given us. Our prayer for what we still need.

JILL: It is basic though.

THOMAS: The habitual spirit of thankfulness is the inner music of all Christian life.

JILL: A good expression of our consciousness of God.

THOMAS: Yes, Jill. There is fear and reverence. We are under obligation to give thanks for the mercies bestowed upon us.

JILL: To give God my most humble and hearty thanks for His goodness and loving-kindness.

THOMAS: Such idea is beautiful, and it accords with the requirements of the Bible.

JILL: I rejoice in the happiness of others as well as in my own.

Thomas: Yes, that’s right Jill. Another effect would be to make us feel a deeper interest in the condition of our fellow man.

JILL: Another would be to lift up and enlarge our conceptions of the goodness of God.

THOMAS: Yes, good girl. It directs the mind to all the favors which he has bestowed on us. We have much for which to be grateful; and the duty of acknowledging the mercy of God to us should not be forgotten.

JILL: God is the fountain of every blessing in creation.

THOMAS: We must continue our thanksgiving through the whole course of our lives without weariness, as the Bible says, “For all things; all sorts of mercies, among which afflictions may be reckoned, as working for good to them that love God.”

JILL: Yes, Dad. In thanking God, even the greatest trials and sorrows become real blessings.

THOMAS: Yes, Jill.

To lead with good leadership

JILL: Dad, what is leadership?

THOMAS: A good definition would be the process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective.

JILL: So leadership is something like management and guidance in direction, not control, dominion and restrain.

THOMAS: Yes, leadership is a quality that everyone can have if they choose to willingly set their life to serving God and others.

JILL: That’s great Daddy.

THOMAS: Although you don’t need to have a relationship or even believe in God to be a great leader, some of the greatest examples of insightful leadership can be found in the Bible.

JILL: Some of its stories though are examples of bad leadership.

THOMAS: Yes. As you can see, bad management is always given recognition, often abused and self-serving

JILL: Oh yeah, those selfish seeking leaders who look for prestige, power and expensive perks.

THOMAS: God’s word tells us also of leaders called by God to do His work. They are leaders that maybe were not qualified to be leaders, but God chose them and set in them great works to enhance His kingdom.

JILL: Wow. I also read about brave leaders, the ones that step up and is courageous in dangerous situations when others would not think about stepping up.

THOMAS: Yes Jill. And don’t forget the anointed leaders, they became kings and dedicate their lives to God.

JILL: So nice Dad, I’d like to become a leader too.

THOMAS: Oh, then fulfill your contentment, Jill. When you are entrusted with responsibility, accomplish it honorably and carry out your God-given role with faithfulness.

JILL: Thanks Dad. I will desire for good leadership and undertake it faithfully as I will bring about changes and promptly get things done.

THOMAS: Good to hear that, Jill.

Into the unknown

JILL: Dad, do we need to fear?

THOMAS: Fear gives us worry, panic and too many concerns in life.

JILL: Some people say they have this apprehension.

THOMAS: That will be their obstacle, a big difficulty for them.

JILL: It’s a big problem, Dad.

THOMAS: Some people fear the unknown even though they already followed Jesus.

JILL: Sometimes we yearn to know the outcome of our obedience.

THOMAS: Yes, you’re right. But we have an assurance to our fear.

JILL: I know, Dad. Jesus is with us in every way. Yehey!

THOMAS: Jesus is in charge, Jill, like Abraham’s experience.

JILL: i don’t have fear, Dad.

THOMAS: Yes, Jill, because you were willing to entrust your future to God.

JILL: I did.

THOMAS: You stepped out in faith and good courage. God is leading and supporting you always.

JILL: That’s right, Dad. Praise God.