New Year Resolutions

At the start of a New Year many people will be contemplating on the ups and down of the last year. As we look into the New Year, we hope for great things.

Many people will have over-indulged in the festive season and now is the time that we try to be good and get back into shape. In the newspapers and all the leaflets that are dropped through your letter box, you will have the offer of a joining discount at the gym, new diet and exercise plans and the shops will be wanting you to purchase the latest in healthy food and merchandise. Looking at a supermarket leaflet they are advertising body sculpture products, work-out videos, and work-out clothing, exercise mats, a huge selection of vitamins, minerals and healthy eating cooking utensils. Some of the books speak of ‘detox’; banish your belly and butt! Calorie counter and mind over matter stuff.

Here are some people’s views on New Year resolutions:

1. To lose weight, all year I’ve exercised, but I have not been successful in losing weight.

2. Whenever I’ve made a resolution I’ve broken it by 9:30am, so I have given up doing it.

3. I don’t bother with them now, but I used to when I was younger.

4. I have to be more patient with the children; whenever I lose my cool I always regret it later.

5. To keep fit, but I normally fall by the wayside after a few months.

6. To give up smoking and drinking.

7. I’m going to join a health club and eat plenty of vegetables.

8. To finish those DIY jobs and to earn more money.

9. To be nicer to people and to smile.

10. Not to go to bed so late and to relax more.

A survey of a thousand people by a Healthcare company found that 32% of those questioned made a resolution to get in shape last year. Nearly half of those quit by Feb 2003, 47% saying they lacked the willpower. About fifteen million people made health-related pledges. The seven million quitters, who joined gyms, bought sports equipment and attended slimming classes, spent an estimated £335 million between them on their short-lived exercise regimes.

The survey found the average amount spent per person on their keep fit resolution was £50. A quarter spent up to £100 and 1% forked out more than £500. 42 % said they were too busy, 6 % blamed the expense, and 5 % accused family and friends of not giving enough support for the reason they gave up.

As you enter into a new year, is a good to look back and to reflect on what has happened to you. Was your year a productive year, especially in regards to spiritual matters? Do you know God better than what you did one year ago? Is your prayer life stronger and have you seen answers to those prayers? Is your love for God’s Word still strong and are you living a more God-like lifestyle? Have you learnt many lessons through the school of life?

1. It is always good to dedicate and commit the New Year to God and ask Him to help you live more for Him in everyday situations.

2 Chronicles 2:4 'Behold, I am building a temple for the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, to burn before Him sweet incense, for the continual showbread, for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel.’

Deuteronomy 20:5 ‘Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying: "What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it?"'

Psalm 37:5 ‘Commit your way to the Lord; Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.’

Proverbs 16:3 ‘Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.’

2. God should be number one in your life, your first love; so make sure that everyday you spend quality time with Him, talk and listen! Be honest with God and tell Him what is on your heart. Don’t allow people, objects, games, hobbies, etc to come between you and God.

Psalm 139:23 ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties.’

Psalm 36:9 ‘For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.’

Psalm 37:4 ‘Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.’

Matthew 6:33 ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble.’

3. Read the Bible methodically and diligently; allow God to speak to you through it. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you spiritual truths. Ask yourself ‘what truths can I apply to my life from this portion of Scripture?’ As you read and understand, apply these truths and practical commandments to your every day living.

Proverbs 2:1,5 ‘My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.’

4. Try to live a holy and honourable life before the living God. If you make a mistake, repent quickly and confess all known sin.

Psalm 27:4 ‘One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.’

1 Corinthians 3:16 ‘Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?’

1 Corinthians 6:19 ‘Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?’

May this year be a year of amazing spiritual growth for you!