29 Dec, 2008
A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. More socio-centric examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more economically or environmentally responsible (Wikipidia).
As the new year quickly approaches, are you making any New Year's Resolutions? Are there things in your life that you would like to change for the future? According to Wikipidia, while 52% of individuals who made resolutions believed that they would achieve the goals they set, only 12% successfully accomplished them!
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Making Changes
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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." (NIV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about God's plans for our future?
I have to admit, I've been one of the 40% of individuals (time and again!) who makes a New Year's Resolution only to find myself giving up on it just a month or two later! And yet, every year, I find something else I want to try to change about myself or the direction I'm heading and optimistically set another goal. But no matter how flighty I may seem be with my resolutions and plans, God never is!
Today's scripture promises that God already has a plan for each one of us in the coming year and that plan is perfect and good. God is working on us and finishing His work in us with every passing day, and every new year! So maybe, instead of resolving to accomplish your own desires and goals this year, perhaps, instead, you should resolve to seek out and discover what God's plans and goals are for 2009. What things is HE wanting to accomplish in you and through you next year?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Take some time to pray about the upcoming year. Ask God to reveal to you some of the things in your life that He wants to work through or change, for His glory. Don't just talk to Him . . . take time to actually listen for what God might be saying to you!
- Memorize Jeremiah 29:11 and Phil. 1:6. Remind yourself daily (throughout the year) of God's promise to you of hope and a future, as well as His promise to finish the work He has begun in you, His child.
- Talk to a trusted friend about the things God has laid on your heart, regarding any changes you feel you need to make in your life over the next year. Give him/her specific ways to pray for you and hold you accountable to making those changes . . . so that YOU don't become one of the 40% who fails to accomplish your resolutions!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- In what ways does God want to use you to touch the lives of your friends and acquaintances next year? As you make your resolutions for the new year, ask God to show you how He can better use you to love others and connect stories.
- Find out what resolutions your friends are making for the new year - share the statistics of those who succeed and fail at New Year's resolutions and use it as a spring board into conversation with them. If you're willing to, tell your friend about the resolutions you've decided to make and don't be afraid to share with them your struggles and success with them along the way. Remember, sharing and connecting stories means being real and authentic!
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
