New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions every year.  We resolve to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, keep our house and office clean, and be kinder to family and friends.    People make all different types of resolutions, intending to keep them.  How often do you keep your resolutions?  How often do you think others keep their resolutions—at least longer than a few weeks?  If you reviewed your resolutions weekly, do you think you would be more likely to keep them?  I tend to forget yearly resolutions, but am more likely to follow through on weekly resolutions.  Many of you are already doing some of these but try something new, perhaps on of these weekly Christian resolutions.

1. This week I resolve to become involved in a bible study and fellowship group.
2. This week I resolve to spend some time every day reading my bible or a bible-based book.
3. This week I resolve to talk to God, asking forgiveness for my sins, for guidance in living a godly life, and for His grace for others.
4. This week I resolve to listen to God: listen for His guidance and listen for answers to my prayers, both spoken and unspoken.
5. This week I resolve to schedule some quiet time with God to read, to listen to music, or to meditate on His greatness.                                       

6. This week I resolve not to become discouraged, but to ask His forgiveness and begin again.
7. This week I resolve to remember His life, death, and resurrection, and to live my life as a reflection of my beliefs.
8. This week I resolve to help someone less fortunate.
9. This week I resolve to love the unlovable, just as Jesus does.

Reviewing these resolutions on a weekly or even daily basis will help me to better remember them and keep them.  Perhaps you would like to write your own spiritual resolutions.  To more easily enable you to keep them, it would be a good idea to post them in a place where you will see them every day.  When you see your list, ask God to show you how to keep your spiritual resolutions.  We know that “all things are possible” with God, even keeping resolutions.  

Colossians 1:9-11a “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:  bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might.”

Father, as we contemplate this new year, reveal ways to enrich our spiritual lives and better reflect Your spirit living within us.  Help us to make spiritual resolutions, to review them regularly, and to grow ever closer to You. 

This year, I am challenging myself my joining a group who will “fast read” through the Bible in 90 days. There is no way I could do this without being part of a group. I need the encouragement. What are you resolving to do this year to challenge yourself spiritually?