New Year's Resolutions God's Way

New year’s resolutions are about positive change, but they always seem to become broken. So are we kidding ourselves? NO! God wants us to change (into Christlikeness) and He will help us. But make no mistake – you cannot make fundamental changes by your own resolve or desire – you need to ask God to work in you to that desired end.

The promise of a fundamental change…
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5)

And an ongoing process…
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12)

Into God’s desired character for us…
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5)


Four Areas to Consider

1. Know and love God more deeply by practicing spiritual disciplines (prayer, meditation, scripture reading, scripture memory, fellowship/accountability/small group, etc.)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Eph 6)
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3)

2. Love and serve others, so glorifying God

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matt 5)


3. Be obedient – “just do it”

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6)
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. (John 14)

4. As a priest, seek God’s vision for you and leading for your ministry (He has a plan for you!)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. (1 Pet 2)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2)


Four Ways to Stay on Track

1. Ask God’s help – continually!


2. Get spiritual encouragement – be intentional about being around people, activities, books, music, conferences, missionaries, worship times, teachers, etc. that give you spiritual motivation and joy.

3. Schedule it – make appointments and reminders in your calendar, just as you would for any other important activity.


4. Ask someone for help and/or accountability – ask them to ask you how you are doing in certain areas that you want to change. Get into a small group. Get a spiritual mentor.

May we all experience God's love in 2009!