My New Year's Resolution

I realize I haven't really posted anything of literary significance lately (mostly due to the fact that I am a crabby, beached whale these days!), and since I really have no entertaining stories or new insights of my own to share, I've decided to copy an excerpt from one of my favorite devotionals (Ok, the ONLY devotional I've ever liked) Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man. It's the first entry in the book, January 1, and it really helped me to set the tone for my new year...may it do the same for you!


Knowing the Ways of God
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." Colossians 3:16

Christians use the Bible in three legitimate ways: First, as a book of devotions. Scripture affords an ideal environment in which to commune with Christ. By reading and meditating on the Word they feed their souls and experience the presence of the Lord.
Second, to provide guidance and direction in difficulties. In this the Bible is invaluable. The believer has a problem and turns to scripture for help. How does God want me to respond to my problem? How do I live in a godly manner submerged in the complexities of life? The Word of God affords the Christian significant help. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
Third, as a means of knowing the mind of Christ. In Exodus 33:13 Moses prayed, "show me Thy ways." Psalm 103:7 tells us that God answered his prayer: "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." During the Exodus, Israel was able to see the acts of God; Moses understood His ways. Using the Bible to gain the mind of Christ is a process whereby His followers learn to think biblically, to "be transformed by the renewing of the mind." Romans 12:2
Of the three, the last is by far the most difficult to attain and thus the least pursued. Total mastery is impossible, and it requires years and years of disciplined study and meditation to even make progress. For this reason the believer often neglects the third use. However, to the degree that he does make progress, gaining the mind of Christ, he moves away from using Scripture to solve problems because he is able to respond to difficulties with Christ's mind. Thus, as a serious disciple, you should be undaunted in this pursuit; it is a key component in your reason for being on earth. To have the mind of Christ, to see the world from His point of view, this is the essence of godliness, the heart of your devotion to Christ.