I’m going to lose weight! No, maybe I need to get a new job! I want to be a more friendly person. Or, better yet, I resolve to save more money!
Sound familiar?
This time of year brings most of us to a point where we genuinely want to improve something in our lives. We look back on the past year and see things that we could have done, should have done, things that we needed to do and realize that they are all still left undone. We think about what’s needed and how we can make it happen. Then, we set a New Year’s Resolution.
That got me wondering about the most common resolutions (I’m nosy, ok), and I started searching for answers.
There were many articles to choose from, but I landed on one written by Brad Zomick on goskills.com titled “Top 10 Most Common New Year’s Resolutions (and How to Follow Through on Them).”
See the list he compiled below:
1-Exercise more
2-Lose weight
3-Get organized
4-Learn a new skill or hobby
5-Live life to the fullest
6-Save more money / spend less money
7-Quit smoking
8-Spend more time with family and friends
9-Travel more
10-Read more
Now, these goals are all fine and good, but I have to ask the question – where’s God on this list?
This list looks to be a list all about… me. My wants. My desires. What I can do for me. I’m starting the new year off thinking about self.
Maybe that’s why over half of people who make a resolution fail after a few short days/weeks/months.
I have a novel idea! Why don’t we start the new year off with God as our foundation and think about others? God, first. Man, second. Then we put ourselves in the mix!
I think the list below should be the most common resolutions:
1-Exercise my mind more about God’s will – figure out (by searching His Mind - The Scriptures) what He wants from me
2-Live life for God (Let Him be the foundation of every thought, action, and desire)
3- Lose grudges I may be holding
4-Learn the books of the Bible
5- Work more in the church, greeting, encouraging, visiting, evangelizing, or helping in the community where needed
6-Spend less on self – more on those in need
7-Quit smoking (So many people need to drop that nasty, destructive habit.)
8-Spend more time with family and friends in worship to God
9-Travel to help those in need more (even in your own town)
10-Read and study the Bible more (resolve to make this a daily and nightly habit)
I know, I know you’re probably thinking that’s an extensive list! I get it. I do. What about we start with the first line and go from there?
Start by figuring out what it is God wants from you.
You’re probably asking how in the world do I do that? I suggest starting by reading and studying the Bible more (the first and last line on our list). I did say we start with the first line and go from there, didn’t I? 😊
Brad Zomick included a list of 10 ways to make New Year’s Resolutions happen. After reading through his list, I realized that he’s right! We can use his list for our resolutions – just in a slightly different way!
His list is in black. My thoughts are in blue!
1-Mentally prepare for change
I Peter 1:13 NKJV: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
2-Set a goal that motivates you
How about we set a goal of getting to Heaven?
John 14:2–3: NKJV: 2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
3-Limit resolutions to a manageable amount
We probably don’t want to set a resolution of reading the entire Bible in a month. Set a goal of reading a few chapters at a time.
4-Be specific
Set a specific, measurable goal. Decide what you will do and give yourself an attainable and realistic time frame.
5-Break up big goals into smaller goals
Instead of setting a goal of reading the entire Bible in six months, put a smaller goal that isn’t so daunting. Decide to read through the Old Testament or New Testament in a certain amount of time. Make the goal one that you will strive to meet.
6-Write down your goals
I’m a firm believer in writing stuff down (just ask my husband). Writing it down makes it seem more real.
7-Share your resolutions with others
Once you live for Christ, you won’t be able to help sharing the good news!
8-Automate where possible
Most everyone has a smartphone. Use it! Download a Bible app so you can read on the go. Are you in line waiting on your Walmart pickup? Read a chapter. Are you waiting for a haircut? Read a chapter. You get the gist.
9-Review your resolution regularly
Yes. Yes. Yes.
10-If you fall off track, get back on quick
No one is perfect. If you falter, you can fix it! Christ died for us!!! He gave His Blood so we can have forgiveness.
Not sure where or how to start? How about right here?
Like my husband says, when he is preaching, it’s a cookie-cutter process. What made them Christians in the 1st century will make us Christians today.
What is that process?
Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
Repentof past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
Be Baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Please.
Reach out to me if you have questions or want to study. I am ready and willing. I will be there for you. I mean this from the bottom of my heart!
For some reason, no one reaches out – why? I’m serious about this offer. I want to study with you! Please, contact me!
In Christian Love,
Leah Brewer
