Podcast: Play in new window | Download
- This episode I talk about New Year’s resolutions, the likelihood that most of them have been broken by this juncture (three weeks in).
- I reference “Salad Bowl“, my parody about dieting, off of my “I Wanna Be Debated” album.
- There are two problems with most resolutions today:
- Most resolutions are ME-centric, fueling your ego, facilitating pride, envy and greed.
- Most resolutions are not properly set up so that you could find practical means to make them work.
- There is only ONE GOAL that should be on the forefront on every person’s mind, and that is we are all called to be a Saint.
- Most people are distracted in their day-to-day lives to actually consider thinking that Sainthood is for them, or that, with grace, it can actually be within their grasp.
- Some denominations believe that once one accepts a personal relationship with Jesus, that there’s nothing more to be done; I believe that such a relationship with Jesus is the beginning of understanding what God’s will is for one’s life, and then pursue it.
- Matthew 7:21 – the person who does the will of God is the one who gains entry into heaven.
- We have to balance our obligations for Family, Physical health, Mental health, Spiritual health, Financial shape, and Social Skill-sets.
- If we are lacking in any of the above areas, we find that we are shackled, to some degree, in preventing your full potential to being done.
- For example, if we commit to losing weight, it is not so that we are to become super-attractive and boost your ego; it is so that we are to be healthy enough and live a long life, so that we can fulfill God’s will for us in our life.
- It is natural to look back each year and probe how well you are doing in each of the six areas. At the end of each year, you are different from where you were at from the beginning of that same year.
- God can bring about His will even as you struggle to get your lives in order.
- The key to conquering resolutions is to look at your resolution through the eyes of how completing this resolution will assist you in fulfilling God’s will for you, thus, make you a Saint.
Episode Log Times
2:18 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
2:40 – Jesus, Lover of My Soul
7:22 – O Paradise!
10:40 – Lead Kindly Light
15:04 – Doing His Will / He Is Lord
20:25 – Entirely to Thee
23:27 – Omnis Terra
25:40 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
31:45 – Song of the Week (“Rain” by Planetshakers)
37:38 – Personal Reflections (“New Year’s Resolutions”)
55:24 – Final Comments and Doxology
SONG OF THE WEEK
“Rain” by Planet Shakers Ministries
From the album “Limitless” (2012)
Copyright (c) 2012
******************SONGS*******************
JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL
Charles Wesley, Simeon B. Walsh
New arrangement by Nick Alexander
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Your bosom fly
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storms of life be past
Safe into Your haven guide,
Lord receive my soul at last.
1. Other refuge, have I none, Lord
I hang my helpless soul on Thee
Please don’t leave me all alone, Lord
But support and comfort me.
2. Plenteous grace, with Thee, I’ve found, Lord
Grace to cleanse from ev’ry sin.
Let Your healing streams abound, Lord
Make and keep me pure, within.
All my trust is in Your stead
(All my help from Thee I cling)
Cover my defenseless head
(With the shadow of Your wing)
Lord, spring up within my heart;
(Rise to all eternity)
You’re the fountain; Let me drink of Thee!
Copyright (c) 2012 Nick Alexander Music
O PARADISE!
F.W. Faber
O Paradise ! O Paradise ! Who does not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land, Where they that loved are blest.
Where loyal hearts and true stand ever in the light
All rapture thru and thru in God’s most holy sight
O Paradise ! O Paradise ! ‘Tis weary waiting here.
I long to be where Jesus is, to feel to see Him near.
O Paradise ! O Paradise ! I want to sin no more
I want to be as pure on earth, as on Thy spotless shore.
O Paradise ! O Paradise ! I greatly long to see
The special place my dearest Lord, In furnishing for me.
O Paradise ! O Paradise ! I feel ’twill not be long;
Patience! I almost think I hear Faint fragments of Thy song.
Public Domain
LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
Blessed John Henry Newman, J.B. Dykes 1823-76
Lead kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom
Lead thou me on.
The night is dark, and I am far from home
Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path but now
Lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day and spite of fears.
Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.
So long Thy pow’r hath blest me sure it still
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er cragg and torrent till
The night is gone.
And with the morn, those angel faces smile.
Which I have loved, long since and lost awhile.
Public Domain
DOING HIS WILL
Mrs. C.H. Morris (1898)
Just to trust in the Lord, just to lean on His Word
Just to feel I am His ev’ry day
Just to walk by His side with His Spirit to guide
Just to follow where He leads the way.
Just to say what He wants me to say,
And be still when He whispers to me.
Just to go where He wants me to go
Just to be what He wants me to be.
When my way darkest seems, when are blighted my dreams, Just to feel that the Lord knows best;
Just to yield to His will, just to trust and be still
Just to lean on His bosom and rest.
Then my heart will be light, then my path will be bright
If I’ve Jesus for My dearest friend;
Counting all loss but gain, such a friend to obtain,
True and faithful He’ll be to the end.
Public Domain
HE IS LORD
Traditional
He is Lord, He is Lord;
He is risen from the dead and He is Lord
Ev’ry knee shall bow, ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
Public Domain
ENTIRELY TO THEE
Nick Alexander and Ed Luchansky
I surrender all
Entirely to Thee
I pledge my life, my will
Entirely to Thee
I give unto Thee
All I am
Entirely to Thee
All I am.
For You know all my needs
And I know You will provide
And You show me,
You’ll never leave my side.
(Lord, You know…)
Copyright (c) Nick Alexander
OMNIS TERRA
Roman Gradual
Omnis terra adoret te, Deus, et psallat tibi
Psalmum dicat nomini tuo, Altissime.
All the earth shall adore Thee, O God
and sing unto Thee
Songs I’ll sing out unto the Name of Thine
O Most High.
Public Domain
Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests below or leave a message at 203/701-7771