(Information sources: www.ezinearticles.com and www.gotquestions.org)

It is hard to believe that the year 2009 is taking its last bow, and 2010 getting ready to make a grand entrance! And with the New Year comes New Year's resolutions. Each year, many people set goals for themselves on what they want to accomplish in the next year. It can be anything from buying a new house or car, or to become very wealthy.

The top resolutions usually involve promises to exercise more (37%), increasing the time devoted to study or work (23%), losing weight, stop smoking or drinking (alcohol and/or coffee), and eat healthier, manage money better, and spend more time with the family. People make more resolutions to start a new habit (84%), than to break an old one (16%). 65% of people made their resolutions between the 28th of December and New Year's Day. The rest usually take up until the end of January. Each year 40% - 45% of adults make one or more resolution or goal for themselves. Research shows that 75% make it past the first week, and 46% make it past 6 months. Now while a lot of people break their resolutions, statistics on New Year's resolutions show that setting goals for your self is still good. You are 10 times more likely to attain your goal, rather than people who don't explicitly make goals.

But Pastor, what sort of New Year's Resolution should a Christ follower make? SO, glad you asked!

The practice of making New Year's resolutions goes back over 3000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a New Year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year's resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year's resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?

1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." The vast majority of New Year's resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.

Many Christians make New Year's resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. Fantastic goals! However, these New Year's resolutions tend to fail, because there isn't any motivation. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for you to honor yourself only?

Philippians 4:13 tells us, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." John 15:5 declares, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." If God is the center of your New Year's resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God's will for something to be fulfilled, God will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God's Word, we will not receive God's help in fulfilling the resolution.

Here are some New Year Resolution suggestions for you: (1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; (2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) Rely on God?s strength to help you; (4) Find an accountability partner who will help and encourage you; (5) Don?t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further; (6) Don?t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."

As Martin Luther asked, "So what does this mean"?

It means I cannot by my own understanding and strength reach my New Years resolution goals. But, by faith, I must rely upon the saving grace given to us by God, through His Son Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Asking God for help and guidance is a great way to help dedicate your self into reaching your goals. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!