There is just something about the start of a New Year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31st and January 1st. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31st. However, if we as a Christian determines to make a New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should we make?
Common New Year’s resolutions are: to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money better, or get good better grades in our study. By far the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating healthier. These are all good goals to set. However, we should keep exercise in perspective.
1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.
Here are some suggestions:
(1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
(2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you.
(3) Rely on God’s strength to help you.
(4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you.
(5) Don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further.
(6) Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory.
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
I pray that dear God, You will make the new year to be different for all of us. No matter what our new year resolutions are, no matter what we are going through, Lord Jesus, I know that we are going to need a lot of help for all these. So right now we place ourselves in Your hands. Help us to receive Your strength, guide us through this coming new year with Your wisdom and righteousness, Amen.
Common New Year’s resolutions are: to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money better, or get good better grades in our study. By far the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating healthier. These are all good goals to set. However, we should keep exercise in perspective.
1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.
So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make?
Here are some suggestions:
(1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
In regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make
(2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you.
(3) Rely on God’s strength to help you.
(4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you.
(5) Don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further.
(6) Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory.
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
I pray that dear God, You will make the new year to be different for all of us. No matter what our new year resolutions are, no matter what we are going through, Lord Jesus, I know that we are going to need a lot of help for all these. So right now we place ourselves in Your hands. Help us to receive Your strength, guide us through this coming new year with Your wisdom and righteousness, Amen.
SHANA TOVA
(HAPPY NEW YEAR in Hebrew)
EVERYONE
(HAPPY NEW YEAR in Hebrew)
EVERYONE
Love,
Lionel
Lionel
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