Every year, people all over the world make New Year’s Resolutions. Some with many good intentions, but they often fail because their resolutions are not realistic. When setting a New Year’s Resolution, pick something that is reasonable and obtainable. For instance, if you want to lose 100 pounds, make that a long-term goal and start with 25 pounds. Attempting to lose 25 pounds over the year is much more attainable than 100 pounds. If you broke up 25 pounds over twelve months, that would be about 2.08 pounds per month in weight loss as opposed to 8.33 pounds per month for 100 pounds.
If you want to achieve many things, start with a goal plan where you have set expectations. A few years ago, I wanted to finish my Bachelor’s Degree, so I set up goals and how many classes I would have to take in a year to obtain my degree. As a working adult, I chose to obtain my degree online and took classes half time. I finished my degree in two years. I took Summer classes to finish within two years. Each class, I followed the syllabus and set appointments in my calendar to study and take exams. This was a New Year’s Resolution that I could achieve, but it took about a year of planning in figuring out. I put a plan in progress and ultimately achieved my goal. There is an old saying, “If you have to eat an elephant, eat it one bite at a time.”
Many may want to read the Bible within a year. This can be done, but you must make time in your schedule to do it. One of the best ways to do it is to get a schedule of what chapters to read. The Gideon’s offer a schedule for free. Schedules are also found for free online. The nice thing about this goal is that you can start anytime. You do not have to wait until the New Year to make a resolution.
As with any new goal or resolution, you can start either today or any day in the year. If you want a closer walk with Christ, then why wait for the New Year. You can start by praying and asking Jesus to forgive you for your sins, which are things that you have done that are against God’s laws and His will. Ask forgiveness and then ask Jesus into your heart. Once you do this, Jesus will send His Holy Spirit to live in your heart, to lead you and guide you in your Christian walk. Then start to study God’s Word.
Get yourself a good study Bible. One of my favorite study Bibles is the English Standard Version (ESV). The ESV is one of the closest translations to the original text. A good Bible will have a Concordance and study notes. My favorite study Bible is the Reformation Study Bible published by Reformation Press. There are many other study Bibles available that are the ESV.
Another favorite is the Spurgeon Study Bible. This is a Holman Christian Standard Bible and has notes throughout of what Charles Spurgeon thought about certain Scripture. This Bible translation as well as the Spurgeon notes help to make your Bible study richer in understanding God’s Word.
Whatever your New Year’s Resolution will be, I pray that you will put God first.
Photo Credit: Franklin Graham
Copyright © January 1, 2020. Marketplace Evangelism Today, a publication of Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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