Resolutions

“Resolution One: I will live for God.
Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”
~ Jonathan Edwards
 

The word “resolution” has become closely linked to the beginning of each new year; a time when people are prone to ponder what has passed after one year ends and speculate about what lies ahead. When negative aspects of the previous year come into view, resolutions are made to assert that the past will not control the future. In this sense of the word, Noah Webster describes a “resolution” as a “fixed purpose or determination of mind; as a resolution to reform our lives; a resolution to undertake an expedition.”¹

Go Tell!

“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.”
~ John W. Work Jr. (Music Adaptor)
 

It can be demoralizing when good news is met with indifference. Just ask the shepherds who found the Christ Child lying in a manger, as the angel of the Lord had told them. Having seen Jesus, they couldn’t keep what they had witnessed to themselves. They were compelled to go and tell others the wonderful news that the long-awaited Messiah had finally come!

“And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the
Baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known
the saying that had been told them concerning this Child.
And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”
Luke 2:16-18 ESV

VOMC’s
Heart Health Challenge

“As in water face reflects face,
so the heart of man reflects the man.”
~ Proverbs 27:19 ESV

A new year is quickly approaching, and for the staff at VOMC, the 2024 Heart Health Challenge is about to begin! Our inspiration comes from Proverbs 4:23, which says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (AMP). Maintaining a healthy heart is not just a spiritual practice, but a physical one too. With this in mind, each of our VOMC staff members have committed to engaging in activities during the coming year that will cultivate a healthy heart.

Heart Health

“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
for from it flow the springs of life.”
~ Proverbs 4:23 AMP

During a recent time of devotions and prayer, the Lord guided me to Proverbs 4:23. This verse instructs us on the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. Spiritually, “the heart” refers to one’s inner life – mind, thoughts, motives and desires. If the heart is healthy, what springs from it will be pure. A pure-hearted person has wholesome motives, holy thoughts, and a clean conscience before God.

Holiness in the Face of Persecution

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the
holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
~ Hebrews 12:14 ESV

In 1977, the Ugandan government, which was led by Idi Amin at that time, prohibited Pentecostal Christians from gathering to worship. He ordered for their churches to be closed, and announced that any noncompliance would lead to arrests, imprisonment and possible death.

Freedom of Religion or Belief
Can This Become a Reality in Today’s World?

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
this right includes freedom to change [their] religion or belief, and freedom
(either alone or in community with others…in public or private) to manifest
[their] religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
~ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18)
 

As a Christian, I uphold the Biblical basis for human rights, which acknowledges that all people are created in God’s image, and thereby worthy of dignity and respect – regardless of their religion or belief. Consequently, I agree with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, while the intentions of this statement are admirable (since persecution because of one’s faith or belief is wrong), there is an essential element missing in the “freedom of religion or belief” (FORB) discussions held by the various political, religious and special interest groups that champion it.