Resolved to LIVE in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel

THE RESOLUTIONS
of
Jonathan Edwards
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.

A Sower Went Out to Sow!

I feel like I don’t know what to say. I want to write in this blog, in a sense I am, but I am so constrained because of the limit in time.

I want to share with you about what passage I really enjoy in scripture. The passage about the sower who went out to sow his seed. Look into Luke 8:4-8. I live in Fresno County and here as you might know is where 1/5 of the worlds produce is grown. It is like Ukraine in comparison to the fruit of its harvest. Lots and lots of food. One thing I learned about gardening is before I sow seed I must prepare the soil where I am to sow the seed. Also when I toss the seed over the soil I must be aware that the wind may blow it into a distant direction, such as a place where I didn’t prepare the ground. Against all the odds when harvest is ready the soil I prepared bears fruit. My aim was to have a harvest within the prepared soil. Not the side walk nes to my front yard or the Rocky area next to the pond, nor the area I didn’t pull out the weeds because have a hard time pulling out the roots.
In this parable we see a similar story or exactly the same. When the sower sowed seed it fell on its intended ground, the good soil, but blown into the road, rocky soil, and the thorny ground. He knew that the areas the seed fell other than the good soil will not produce fruit. Therefore the soil ccant prepare itself it can only be prepared by the sower. It’s a supernatural work of God in which we have no part. If He has prepared the soil we will be a Lamp up on a Lamp stand. We are salt of the earth. We are because of HIS doing.
I don’t want to preach a sermon but it is amazing to see Gods sovereignty in the work of Salvation. Please dig into this for yourself. It’s saturated with the Glories of GOD.


Luk 10:22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Blessed are those who are persecuted for My Name!

This Day is a little different than the rest. Today we did a carwash for the trip for Ukraine. I learned something I don’t deserve to, but by the grace of God I have been lavished upon with mercy.
Today at the car wash there was a small turnout of people to help wash cars. God kept my heart focused on what matters. Although the purpose of our car wash was to raise funds for Ukraine, God pondered upon my heart the desire to Evangelize. Evangelize to every heart that brought their vehicle. I couldn’t believe how people are so deceived. I don’t want to boast in myself because where I am was granted by my King, by my redeemer. I know nothing that has not been revealed unto me from my Lord. I noticed that God loves the sinners more than I do and ever will. God loves the lost more than I will ever imagine because in John 17 it says that God loves the world as he loved his son. Dear reader, please hear these words not as from me But from your God.
God loves us because he does not want us to endure his wrath. He loved us so much that he sent His son to be our substitute. Gods love is seen in Him wanting us to Glorify Him in eternity. But this does not mean all will be saved from His wrath for our sin; only if we have been called to believe in The SON of God.
Everyone I spoke to have their own form of religion. Their own formed beliefs and standard for eternity; a standard that is always being altered to fit their own lifestyles. It’s really sad to hear.
Some refused to believe in the bible and it being Gods word. Others live a life ashamed of the gospel and joining cults such as coexist. There were people that refused to talk about anything to do with God. Through this entire car wash God showed me that He wanted me to share as much as HE has planned for me. It’s great to have my God to be in control.
Throughout the evangelism that was going on at the car wash I observed the reactions of the people. They felt like they were being accused, and they were the Gods word. The Funny thing is that it seems like these people will never stop at a car wash again if God doesn’t save them. But I hope one day they would return and share their testimony, If not in this life then the life to come.
Friend, please share your faith. Do NOT be ashamed of the Gospel. Share it until they kill you like they did to your savior. All they can do is send you to heaven. And that for us is a Blessing.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for my Name! – Jesus…
God be with YOU.

Vitaliy vs. Sin

God my day yesterday was difficult but amazing at the same time. You showed me so much I couldn’t fathom, everything I saw and felt throughout the day was so Devine.
I mean everything I went through the time by the Hotel, in Class, and then in the Hospital for 10 1/2 hrs, evangelizing, Surgery; all of it made me feel like I was someone else that is not a normal day for me. Thank you for such a filled day.
I guess that is the way things are with you, when you are in Sovereign control!
Father I’d like to talk to you about what happened before my class by the Hotel.

DAD, during the time I was waiting for my 11 o’clock class I chose sin, I’m sorry; I really am. Father…… What amazes me is how fast you picked me up, putting a weapon into my hand. During the time I was waiting I was reading the book “Disciples of Disunion” for my History class. It is strange that I parked my car by a hotel to read the book. While reading I noticed a Lady walk out of a room. She had highlighted hair, dressed in an unusual manner, so on and so on. What hurt me Dad is the fact that I began to judge her by her appearance. During the time I was judging her I was trying to fight my thoughts. Amy a dear friend of mine reminded me of a passage in Romans, where Apostle Paul speaks about him doing what he doesn’t want to do, Romans 7

Rom 7:15-23

(15) For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.....(18) For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.(19) For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

(20) Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.....(23) but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

It is so amazing how you made this passage a reality in my life. I hated my thought so much... I wasn’t really thinking about this passage, but it ends up that you made that hour completely relate to Apostle Paul. During the time I judged her to be prostitute I realized that I needed Your Word to fill my mind. I left the bible in my room I had nothing in my car.

I am so thankful that there was a Sermon in the vehicle by Steve Lawson. He preached a biography on Jonathon Edwards and how much Edwards lived for “YOUR Glory.” The sermon helped me realize how week I am and most of all I saw that I was living for my glory attempting to rob Yours.

…I’m a FOOL…

During the time I was sitting there with all of these thoughts running through my mind I realized something. God I do not take action when I am attacked in my spiritual battle.

I let sin hit me and hit me. All I tend to do is sit through it. That is so wrong. Yahweh, help me to hate sin. Train me to Attack it with Your (s) Word; defend with the shield of faith. It’s a war; awaken this Child for battle…Yesterday you thought me to hate this enemy of mine, which is still present within me. Help me to be a warrior and never let sin Conquer, for I am your child, by Your grace.Help me continue to live for you Glory and not my own.

Amen!

Over coming Disunity

Hello Dear Friends. I'd like to talk to you about how God has been working in me throughout this, just gone by, weekend. May 27th many Bond-servant from House of the Gospel are Flying to Ukraine for this summer to be united as Christians, in a manner Christ is in GOD; this way the world will know that God sent Christ, the son of God, and That He Loves the world. Namely we are looking forward to spend time evangelizing and leading Children’s Camps. So this weekend a group of 9 People went up to Shaver Lake, CA, to spend time preparing the entire Program for camps, learn and live the lessons we are going to be teaching children in Ukraine.

The retreat was prosperous and successful the first day because all we did was spent time uniting and finding areas in our lives that keep us from uniting with one another. The Next day Saturday Morning, We began planning and preparing and planning and preparing... Throughout this time i felt my soul to be downcast. We were more focused on getting ready then on The Glory of our Father. I felt this huge distance between our missions team. We were all focusing in different directions.April 26th was a day that showed us where we failed. We didn’t have a heart of service towards one another.I noticed problems like these in many forms. Here are a few: There were area's we couldn’t make Agreements, we had a hard time making Decision, Fulfilling required Roles, Relying on God Alone; we thought that our works will accomplish what we needed to prepare, we pushed Humility in the Back of our Minds; No Poverty in spirit, we had a hard time Asking for Help from one another; helping each other.
I couldn’t hold it in. I saw what was happening. I knew that this group needed to stop or else we would have shamed the name of GOD in Ukraine.After listening to the prayer of Christ for believers, in gospel of John chapter 17, God through the Holy Spirit performed a changing Work. The group was so broken that no one could keep their tears in. Just read that prayer of Christ and imagine to yourself a group that wasn’t being united. It hurt me.At the End of the night we shared our testimonies and we were so amazed at the work of God in each other’s lives.
I left that retreat seeing everyone completely differently. It’s like i never knew them before. God so changed us it was amazing. Please pray that He continues to do so. This group learned to Hate sin and Love that which is pure and HOLY!Hear is a link to see the pictures from the retreat and other things this Group is involved in. How we are reaching out to the world around us and how we’re enjoying the world that God gave us.

http://picasaweb.google.com/vitalik.dlya.boga
Also the team has a Myspace site: www.myspace.com/sl3d

Poor in Spirit

I dont know if you have exprienced being broken and shown how sinful you truly are! I too often know how sinful i am but i do not live a changed life because of it. It is easy for me to say how i should live, but to live poor in spirit is impossible apart from the Grace of God which is in Christ Jesus.
I in my spiritual state tend to have a mind set that must be forgotten. When i live this life that should be lived out in a manner worthy of the Gospel, i tend to fall too often. God reveals to me my sin, and i feel like i am an enemy of God. But its the opposite; i am his child. He wants to perfect me and mold me into the image of HIS Holy one and Only Son. It is so remarkable to know that God Holds me tight in His Hands; i am a sheep and He is my shepherd. He will never let me wander off and be lost. He is a Good Shepherd. I really have a hard time talking about myself. I love to Talk about Him who matters in Life. Namely God.
GOD bless all of you and i hope that God will transform you by the renewing of your mind!