New Year Resolutions

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Philippians 3:13

Be honest: how many of last year’s resolutions did you keep? They say, ‘Procrastination is the thief of time.’ We keep promising ourselves we’ll do better. But ‘resolutions’ only happen when you’re ‘resolute’. That means having a mind that’s made up. So here are four resolutions you need to make up your mind to keep this year: 1) Take time for what really matters. Get up earlier in order to read your Bible and pray before entering the day. Make more time for your family. Start exercising and eating right. Take better care of your body; it’s God’s temple (see 1 Corinthians 6:19). 2) Tackle one thing at a time. Taking on too many things at once dilutes your focus and makes it harder to stick with things. When you start too much, you finish too little. So start where you are and build on your successes by mastering and maintaining one thing at a time. 3) Start small. Don’t try to swallow the whole enchilada in one bite; baby steps are the name of the game. Talk in terms of what you will do instead of what you won’t. For example, instead of saying, ‘I’m not going to be so critical,’ try saying, ‘Today I’m going to look for something good in everyone I meet’ (see Philippians 4:8). 4) Record your progress or lack of it. You can’t manage what you can’t measure. By facing the truth you’ll see how far you’ve come, and what you still need to work on. The Bible says, ‘Throw yourself into your tasks so… everyone will see your progress’ (1 Timothy 4:15).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, no matter what my resolutions are for the new year, help me keep the main thing the main thing, YOU! Thank You for Your unending love for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen