Here are some good posts on making resolutions for 2018:
Ten Questions To Ask at the Start of a New Year (pdf) – Don Whitney
Nine Questions to Ask Yourself to Prepare for 2018 – Scott Slayton
4 Christian Principles for Making New Year’s Resolutions – Burk Parsons (Ligonier)
A New Approach to New Year’s Resolutions – Zach Nielsen (TGC)
Here are some good posts for your long Christmas weekend:
Into the Darkness He Came – Jon Bloom (DG)
3 Things Mary Knew About Her Baby Boy – Jonathan Toutley (TGC)
Mary, Did You Know? What the Catholic Church Teaches About the Mother of Jesus – Thomas Schreine (DG)
Singing ‘Peace on Earth’ When Your Heart Is Heavy – Trevin Wax
How to Share Your Story This Christmas: Counsel from Charles Spurgeon – Tony Reinke
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day and a merry Christmas!
Here are some good posts for Thanksgiving:
10 Things You Should Know about Thanksgiving – Nathan Finn (Crossway)
5 Readings for Your Thanksgiving Gathering (Crossway)
9 Passages to Read on Gratitude (Crossway)
The Greatness of Giving Thanks – Kevin DeYoung
Blessed Even in the Worst: How to Give Thanks in Every Circumstance – Nancy Guthrie (DG)
Struggling Toward Thanksgiving – Trevin Wax
Sunday: Power – He Is Risen!
Read Mark 16:1-8
Prayer: Father, thank you for the resurrection – your seal of approval for the sacrifice Jesus made. Thank you for the joy and wonder of a new life with my risen Savior. Thank you for the hope of my own resurrection when Jesus returns. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: Why is each sentence in this prayer a reason to rejoice? How can you express your joy today?
Praise: Sing “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”
Saturday: Pain of Loss and Failure – Struggling Without Hope
Read Mark14:26-31, 14:66-72, 15:40-47
Prayer: Father, I cannot imagine this day for Peter. What was it like for him to lose Jesus and fail him all in one day? To struggle without hope? And Father, if Jesus had remained in the grave, I too would be without hope. All would be lost. Help me today to remember how hopeless life would be without the glorious news that tomorrow brings. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: What would your life be like if Jesus had stayed in the grave?
Praise: No singing today. Wait with anticipation for tomorrow.
Friday Evening: Passion – Remember the Cross
Read Mark 15:16-39
Prayer: Father, they hit him, and spit upon him, and mocked him. They nailed him to a cross, and mocked him some more. He bore my sins, and your wrath for my sins, that I might go free. My words are so cheap, but thank you for the cross. Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: How does reflecting on Christ’s passion fuel your love for him, and motivate you to serve him?
Praise: Sing “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”
Friday Morning: Plot – The Plans of God and Men
Read Mark 14:1-2, 14:10-11, 14:43-65, 15:1-15
Prayer: Father, how shamefully they treated your Son. Judas plotted against him and betrayed his friend. The religious leaders plotted against him and made a mockery of justice to have their own way. Pilate gave in to the crowds. And yet all their plots were part of your bigger plot to save me. Thank you for my Savior. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: In what current situations do you need to trust in God’s greater plan?
Praise: Sing “All The Way My Savior Leads Me”
Thursday Evening: Prayer – God’s Will, Not Mine
Read Mark 14:32-42
Prayer: Father, like the disciples I too am weak, and I need your help to overcome temptation. Awaken me from my spiritual slumber that I might pray. Let me join my Savior in seeking your will. Too often my way is not your way. Help me to submit to your way no matter what the cost. Dear Father, not my will, but yours be done. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: In what current situations do you need to submit to his will?
Praise: Sing “Have Thine Own Way Lord”
Thursday Morning: Passover – The New Covenant
Read Mark 14:12-25
Prayer: Father, thank you for the new covenant you have made with me through Jesus Christ. Thank you that his body was broken and his blood poured out to pay for my sins that I might walk with you. Thank you for the regular reminder given to us in the Lord’s Supper. Let me never spurn your gift as Judas did. Amen.
Reflect/Discuss: Jesus died so you might have a relationship with God. In what ways should you respond to his gift?
Praise: Sing “I Am Thine, O Lord”
Brian J. Mikul 