Summary: God expects us to come up higher in every area of our lives. He told the children of Israel to take a long and lasting look at the Egyptians (who oppressed them), because they were about to embark on a journey of no return to the past bondage.

TOPIC: NEW YEAR RESOLUTION – THE BELIEVER’S WAY

TEXT: Joshua 24:13-15; Haggai 1:5-7

Resolution is the act or process of resolving: as

- the act of determining

- the act of answering: solving

- “making a resolution to mend my ways”

Resolution can also be in a form of:

- Deliverance

- Determination

- Decision

- Diagnosis

We will use the heading or topic of our sermon “New Year Resolution” to form a basis as to what God would want us resolved to do spiritually and physically, during our walk with Him this year.

NEW:

N: Necessitate a new norm – Luke 15:18

- Behavior fit for a Christian

- Good and standard quality of life style and behavior

- Sift your behavior into that of the Lord

E: Examine, evaluate and excel your potential barriers – Proverbs 18:16.

- Endeavor to develop your skills, mindset, aspiration, vision and purpose

- Actualize your dreams

- Deal with past failures and obstructions

W: Work out!!

- Your salvation – Philippians 2:12

- Plan and work to establish your field – Prov. 24:27

- Stay fit & healthy! Physical exercise!! – 1 Timothy 4:7, 8

YEAR:

Y: Yearn for the yoke of the Master – Matthew 11:28-30

- Come under the yoke of Jesus for ease and rest.

- Biblical prosperity centers in on the health and wholeness of your spirit and soul.

- Make this year a year that you center in on how healthy you are spiritually and emotionally. Instead of getting into more debt where that brings anxiety and stress to your life, work on getting out of debt. Be free from debt this year!! The Word of God says "Owe no man anything...." (Romans 13:8).

E: Earn!! -

- Earn your promotion at home by being the greatest husband, wife, parent, neighbor you can be – Proverbs 31:28, 29; 22:29.

- Earn your promotion in heaven for being a faithful Christian and soul-winner – Daniel 12:3.

A: Activate, acquire and affirm your divine blessings - Joel 3:10; Romans 8:28.

R: Retreat, refresh and rejuvenate in the Lord – Psalms. 25:1-3.

- Instead of taking on a second job just so you can acquire more fleshly desires, work on becoming contented and peaceful with what you have so you can spend more time with your children or spouse. Make Biblical prosperity your New Year Resolution!! Biblical prosperity is void of strain, stress and strife:

- Biblical prosperity is God prospering the work of your hand, and empowering you to get wealth and health.

- It is doing little and achieving more.

- It is having all-round breakthroughs and favors with God and man. Praise God!!

Instead of taking a job that makes you work nights just so you can get more money, but leaves you spiritually dried and fagged out. How about being rekindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit this year?

RESOLUTION (The authority and powerpoint)

R – retake

E – everything

S – satan has taken

O – over from you

L – lay hold

U – upon

T – the

I – inspired promises

O – over you, and

N – number your blessings in 2013