New Year's Resolutions!

2012 is here!  Confetti flies, the ball drops, we sing a song... But what next?  This time of year is often filled with people looking back at the previous year and pledging to be a much better person, or to do the things that they didn't or couldn't do the year previous.

I, like most of you, am one of those people!  I looked back on 2011 and saw many great things that God allowed me to do and be successful at.  But I also saw many things that I either didn't do, or don't like about myself!!!

So what do we do?  Sit down and write out our "New Year's Resolutions".  While most of us don't intend to break them later that week, many of us fall into that very pitfall.  We get all emotional and maybe even convicted, or "kicked in the butt" from God and we desire to change.  Then, when things get tough, or the fact that it isn't a habit yet - we break them.

Look back on your life.  How many resolutions did you break?  How long did it take you to break them?

We then end up with even MORE disappointment because not only did we end up doing what we've always done, now we just broke a NEW commitment!!!  And even more hurtful for us Christians is when we fall back into a certain sin.  We then feel like we've betrayed God and that we are a failure.

So other than that, this is a pretty up beat post!  So what do we do?  How do we change and break the cycle of unfulfilled New Year's Resolutions?  Here's a couple of ideas.

1.  Is this resolution from God? 

If God is speaking to us and encouraging, or commanding that we change something - it has a much higher probability of being successful.  A resolution without God's backing and power is just a sentence on a piece of paper.  We need his help and strength!!!

1 Timothy 4:13 says, "I can do EVERYTHING through HIM who gives me strength".  Why do resolutions fail?  Because most people try to do them on their own strength.  This well known passage reminds us where our strength comes from and what we can do when we allow God to work through us.

                                

John 15 talks about the Vine and the Branches.  When we remain "plugged in" to God, we are fruitful.  When we disconnect, we will not be fruitful.  It even goes so far as to say that those branches that aren't connected to the vine are picked up and thrown into the fire!  Why?  Because they are DEAD!!!  The beautiful promise in this passage is that God WANTS to bless us!  It's to His glory that we are fruitful.  Stay plugged in to Him.

2.  Will this resolution glorify God?

What?  All my resolutions need to glorify God?  Let me explain.  Let's take the goal of losing weight, or working out.  We should take care of ourselves, eating right and exercising so that we will be able to live long enough and be effective in our ministry.  But a goal that looks great on the outside can really be ugly on the inside.  You might want to work out so that you can get a "hot bod" and get attention drawn to yourself.  You might even work out so much that other areas in your life would suffer.  So make sure when you are setting these goals that God is honored by them and that the pendulum doesn't swing so far to the other side that it adversely affects other areas of your life.

1 Timothy 4:8 says:  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.

If our goals line up with God's Will, they will be beneficial both here on earth and for eternity in Heaven!

3.  Find someone to keep you accountable to your goals

If all you do is write down your goals and never tell anyone about it, where is the accountability in that?  By getting someone on board to help you on your new journey, your likelihood of success goes way up.

If the parents get the kids to help them stay committed to their new goal, every time they start to go astray - the kids will definitely let you know that you are going off track!!!

If you are struggling with a sin that is a "private" one.  One that is not visible, the temptation will sneak back in there over time.  By opening up to a trusted friend, you can stay on top of it.

In Proverbs 27:17 it says: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

This video from Matthew West is so encouraging!  Because the simple truth is that we AREN'T strong enough to do anything!!!  Our strength to keep resolutions, or any other commitment comes from Christ.  Keep that in mind as we move into 2012.  Remain plugged into the vine, understand that God wants to allow you to bear fruit, and that we can to EVERYTHING through Christ!!!


God bless you this new year!