Submitted by Pastor Bill Shirley, Linden Church, Rock Port, Mo.

How many of you here have made some resolutions for this year?
Here are a few less-serious resolutions I have heard:
“I have resolved not to do drugs anymore, because I get the same effect just standing up really fast.”
“I have resolved to live in my own little world, because at least they know me here.”
“I have resolved to stay married, because it is so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”
“I have resolved to not make any resolutions, because nobody is perfect. I’m a nobody, therefore I’m perfect.”
I’m not real big into resolutions, personally. I have nothing against them, and I applaud those of you who make them. And I’m ecstatic for those of you who actually keep them.
But today I want to give you some ideas that you can take with you to help make this year one of the best you’ve ever had.
And in doing that, I want to suggest a resolution that you can use year after year for the rest of your life.
This resolution is taken from the passage of Scripture in Mark 12:28-34.
I want to just give a little bit of context.
Jesus had just gotten done answering a bunch of his critics, one after another. They had been trying to get him to say something that would cause Him to trap himself. It hadn’t worked before that, and it doesn’t work this time.
One of these guys had been watching and listening to the exchange, and finally comes to Jesus with his own question, a question that goes to the very heart of what the Bible teaches about God and how we’re to relate to Him.
28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ’Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
There would be no better way to start the New Year than improving your relationship with God and showing  your neighbors and those around you your love as you love yourself.
Have a Happy New Year!