Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining this almost New Year’s Bible study. I won’t bore you with the circumstances, but this week, the word “rejoice” crossed my path in a divine way. Then, given the timing, New Year's resolutions were on my mind, and a passage popped up that combined both. The following passage will help sustain your resolutions and goals for the New Year while deepening your faith:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).
Make the words of St. Paul’s a foundation. When you incorporate those faith behaviors into your life, much good will result. Double your effort to appreciate the Lord, praising and celebrating Him, for He is the Almighty Creator. Moreover, Psalm 46:10 teaches us to "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!"
This year, make the Lord your partner to help strengthen your resolve to keep your New Year's resolutions. Ask Him for strength through prayer to “not be anxious about anything.” If that seems insurmountable, know, “For nothing is impossible with God."
Last year, on Dec. 31, 2023, I wrote Vol. 198: “What the Bible Says About New Year’s Resolutions.” Everything in the study still applies, so I repeat this critical question. “How about a New Year’s resolution that encompasses what Jesus said are the two most important commandments? For that reason, they are called ‘The Greatest Commandments.’ Together, we read:
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments ’” (Matthew 22:34-40). Note: The Greatest Commandment also appears in (Mark 12: 28-31) and (Luke 10:25-28).
We rephrase for today: All New Year’s resolutions hang on these two commandments.
If you love God, you will trust and depend on Him to help you with whatever needs to change. Recognizing the need for change is the first step to achieving the intended results. Loving Him with all your heart, soul, and mind means that He is your God. No bad habits or addictions — the modern-day equivalent of idols — should be worshipped that interfere with God always being number one. Only you know the behavior(s) that need to stop. Only you know if God speaks to you with these words.
The second part, “loving your neighbor as yourself,” is all-encompassing and applicable to every relationship — spouse, family, friends, work colleagues, etc. Selfish behaviors and addictions impact your ability to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
With the new year upon us, we should be open to a new attitude and desire to operationalize the two greatest commandments. That is where rejoicing comes into play, sparked by a message left on my desk. So now, let’s rejoice on New Year's Day, saying aloud:
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). And we must never forget:
“Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you” (Psalm 5:11).
Every year brings some suffering through which we grow. I pray that yours were minimal. About suffering, St. Paul wrote:
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5: 3-5).
I pray this study has inspired you to contemplate how to improve your relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ in the new year. Here is my go-to verse:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Happy New Year! Amen!
Housekeeping note: Please send me an email or leave a comment about any topic or verse you would like me to write about in 2025. Remember, this is an interactive study.
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. In July, The National Shroud of Turin Exhibit hosted a four-day exhibit (with a VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Contact: <MyraAdams01@gmail.com>
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