Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.

Resolve: Transform Resolutions into Realities

• James Long

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As the calendar turns and the world rushes into new goals, we're invited to take a deeper, wiser approach. In today’s episode, we continue the journey we began yesterday by exploring what it means to live with resolve rather than relying on fleeting resolutions. Drawing on Jonathan Edwards's intentional commitments, we’ll explore how God calls us to a life of meaningful, Gospel-rooted change. Learn how to aim higher, think deeper, and build a foundation for transformation that doesn’t fade by February.

You’ll also hear how to take your next step in biblical emotional and spiritual health through our free Navigator Level community.

Key Topics Covered

  • The problem with typical New Year’s resolutions
  • What it means to live resolved before the Lord
  • How Jonathan Edwards modeled intentional, Gospel-centered living
  • Why change must begin with the heart, not just habits
  • A biblical path toward sustainable transformation
  • A special invitation to join the Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life community

Scripture References

  • Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
  • Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
  • Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Call to Action

Are you ready to take a gentle first step into biblical emotional and spiritual health?
 Join the Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life community today. It’s completely free, with no pressure or obligation. You’ll find encouragement, prayer support, and Gospel-centered conversations—all in a safe space.

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ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

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SPEAKER_00:

Well, welcome back. This is Lessons for Life, where we explore how to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually through biblical wisdom. I'm James Long Jr., and I'm glad that you're with us today. Now, in our last episode, we talked about how to set goals that actually matter. Goals rooted not just in motivation or productivity habits, but at a heart aligned with God's purposes. We walked through a framework to help you reflect, define key areas of life. We crafted smarter goals. Remember, S-M-A-R-T-E-R goals that aligned with your plans and with biblical priorities. Now, if you missed that episode, I encourage you to go back and listen. It's a great place to begin if you're looking to reset your rhythm and to renew your focus this year. Now, today we're going a step deeper. Because the truth is, even the best goals mean very little if they don't move us to faithful action. And many of us start strong, but we lose focus by February. So let's talk about how we can resolve not just to start but to finish well. And we're going to take our cue from someone who lived with holy intention. His name was Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards and the power of godly resolve. Jonathan Edwards, who was one of the greatest theological minds in American history, didn't sit down on New Year's Day to write a few casual resolutions. He lived with an enduring sense of purpose before the face of God. Now, as a young man, he penned a series of 70 statements, firm, clear declarations of how he would live a God-centered life. They weren't legalistic, they were deeply personal, Christ exalting, and aimed at the glory of God in every area of his life. Now, here are just a couple of examples. Resolved never to lose one moment of time, but improve it the most profitable way that I can. Resolved to live with all my might while I do live. Resolved never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life. Now these weren't aspirational statements, they were daily declarations of dependence, resolves that sprang from scripture, reflection, and a heart captured by the glory of God. Now, what if we approached our own year the same way? Why, resolutions fail and resolves flourish. Most resolutions fade because they are based on our willpower. They start with good intentions, eating healthier, reading more, getting more organized, but they often fail because they aren't rooted in the deeper why. They lack a direction, clarity, and spiritual fuel. Biblical resolve, on the other hand, is different. It begins with dependence, not determination. It starts with God, not just goals. Now let me give you some contrast. Resolutions. Now let's think about it. Resolutions are often reactive. Resolves are intentionally reflective. Resolutions are based on willpower. Resolves are fueled by grace. Resolutions focus on behavior. Resolves focus on the heart. Resolutions easily are forgotten. Resolves are anchored in conviction. So as you look ahead this year, don't just ask, what do I want to change? Ask, what is God calling me to become? Three anchors for Godward resolve. Now let me offer you three anchors that will help you to move from surface level resolutions to lasting gospel-shaped resolve. The first one is this anchor your resolve in Scripture. The Word of God is not just a guidebook, it's our daily bread, it's the lamp to our feet. One of Edward's resolves was this resolve to study the scripture so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same. That's a model worth following. Start your year not just with a Bible reading plan, but with a posture of prayerful hunger. Ask yourself, what truth do I need to cling to? What lies do I need to confront? What promises will fuel my pursuits of Christ? So, first, I want you to anchor your resolve in Scripture. Second, examine the why behind your what. See, behind every goal is a motive. Some are noble, others are rooted in fear, comparison, pride, or guilt. Take time to ask, why do I want to change this area of my life? Is it for my comfort or is it for the glory of God? Scripture says in Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23, keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life. Lasting change starts from the inside out. So first, anchor your resolve in Scripture. Second, examine the why behind your what. Third, commit to daily dependence, not yearly determination. See, it's easy to make big declarations in January. It's much harder to walk in dependence in February, March, and beyond. One of Edwards's practices was to read his resolves weekly as a way to examine his heart and to renew his focus. We can do the same. Instead of seeing our goals as a one-time decision, see them as a daily invitation to walk with God, one faithful step at a time. Jesus said, Apart from me, you can do what? Nothing. That's right. John chapter 15, verse 5. Jesus was telling us that we can't do anything spiritually of any significance without him. That's not discouragement, it's freedom. It means that we're not left alone to ourselves. So here's some final thoughts. I want you to consider this, my friend. As you begin this year, don't be content with shallow goals or temporary hype. Take your time to reflect and write the goals, but more importantly, live resolved, anchored in Scripture, fueled by His grace, and aiming for His glory. You don't need to figure it all out today, but you can take a next step. If you're ready to go deeper with applying this kind of intentional living, I want to invite you to join the navigator level of our Lessons for Life community. This is where you'll find planning tools, goal-setting worksheets, devotional studies, and a Christ-centered community committed to growth and transformation. Visit community.jameslongjr.org. That's community.jamslongjr.org to learn more and take the next step. Well, thanks for listening to Lessons for Life. I'll see you next time when we talk about what will happen when your goals start to falter and how the gospel speaks to your failure too. Until then, keep walking by faith and living resolved. Blessings, everyone.

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James Long, Jr.

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