New Year Resolutions?

A happy new year to you all! So what about 2016, should I, should you, make new year resolutions? Are they really worth it?

At one time I would have said no they are not, but these days I’m thinking differently.

You see it all depends whether they are centred in and dependent on yourself or in God to see them through. If they are sourced and resourced in yourself the chances are you’ll run out of steam as your will and strength are just not sufficient to get you there – to paraphrase Paul in Romans 7, ‘however hard I try I can’t do it’. But, if you are looking to God then it’s an altogether different matter.

Jonathan Edwards the great pastor, theologian and revivalist of years gone by believed in them as have many others, and proved them very effective. Without them we tend to just maintain the status quo or go round in circles.

Resolutions made with a consciousness and dependence on God, that are centred and sourced in Him are well worth making, in fact without them we are not likely to make much progress at all in faith, life and ministry.

Peter tells us that God has given us ‘all things that pertain to life and godliness’ along with ‘exceeding great and precious promises’ (1 Peter 1:3, 4). Paul exhorts us ‘to be filled with the Spirit'(Ephesians 5:18) and to ‘desire the gifts’ that God gives to us (1 Corinthians 14:1). When resolutions are coupled with God’s promises, purposes and power, who knows what can be done.

What resolutions will you make this year? What do you want to see? Where do you want to go in God?