It’s that time again . . . the beginning of a new year. The time when so many are making New Year’s resolutions they may or may not keep over the next year. I’ve never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions – just a couple of times during my life. Usually by the end of the first week of the new year, I’m through with them!
2008 brought many changes to my life – some good – some bad! One of the good things is that I have strengthened my relationship with God and have spent more time in His Word – always a good thing. I will not be doing a list of New Year’s resolutions this year, but instead will be resolving each and every day to spend time in The Word, spend time in prayer, recommit to my marriage, be a better friend and spend more time time with friends and family!
For those who feel the need to make their “list” – I’ve included the most popular goals that make New Year’s resolution lists each year, plus Bible scripture that I feel is good instruction for each category.
New Year's resolution
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Most Popular Goals[1]
. . . Lose Weight
. . . Gain Weight
. . . Get Fit
. . . Eat Right
. . . Drink less Alcohol
. . . Quit Smoking
I Corinthians 6:
19) Do you not know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you,
whom you have received from God?
You are not your own;
20) you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body
. . . Get out of Debt
. . . Save Money
. . . Get a Better Job
. . . Get a Better Education
Jeremiah 29: 11) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
12) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you.
13) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
. . . Reduce Stress
Matthew 6:25
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink;
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more important than food,
and the body more important than clothes?
. . . Take a Trip
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
2 Corinthains10:15[b]
Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,
our area of activity among you will greatly expand,
16) so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.
. . . Volunteer to Help Others
7) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8) if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
23) "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial.
"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.
24) Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way
you will fulfill the law of Christ.
I Peter 4:
9) Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
11) If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides,
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
. . . Be more independent
John 7:18
He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself,
but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him
is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
. . . Watch less violence
Proverbs 13:2
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,
but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
Success Rate
Recent research shows that the New Year’s resolution starts the day of new years (January 1st) and ends the first day of the next year .While 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, a system where small measurable goals are used (lose a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends. [2]
References
^ http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml [1]
^ Quirkology Study: [2]
One of my daily "recommitments" will be towards loving my family and friends in a more open and constructive way. I want them, especially my family members, to know by my words and my actions they that are important to me – an intricate part of my life.
I want also to be able to listen if someone comes to me with a problem – especially a problem they may be having with me. I want to pray about it, consider that it may very well be true (even if I’ve never thought I was wrong in a particular situation) and resolve any/all problems with mercy and grace, honoring God with my response.
I know that God wants peace and harmony between us on this earth and when there are unresolved issues between a family member, friend or acquaintance – it is a sin against our Heavenly Father and I have to know if I’ve offended someone or I will not be able to resolve the issue.
Matthew 18:
15) "If your brother sins against you,[a]
go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.
If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
16) But if he will not listen, take one or two others along,
so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[b]
Romans 12:
9) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Proverbs 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony,
but a false witness tells lies.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
22 The LORD detests lying lips,
but he delights in men who are truthful.
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.
This year, I will daily make choices and I pray that each of the choices I make will reflect my love and my faith in God and bring honor and glory to His Name.
annb
Thank you Ann for praying for my dad, I visited your blog and I love it. Oh man... do you have a lot of truth in your writing. My parents health has been so up and down that there were days I could not pray, my thoughts were so sad and negative I felt unworthy--your post has encouraged me. thank you.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this post and have bookmarked it in my favorites. Something to always continually keep in mind. Thanks. And also a big thank you for always taking the time to come by and say hello ;)
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