After evaluating the past year and considering how you would like to grow in the new year, it is time to write down your resolutions for the coming year.  The biggest problem with new years resolutions is that they often are never accomplished.  While I do this every year, my record is rather spotty on follow-through.  So let me share ten principles I am learning along the way when it comes to new years resolutions:

1. Be specific.  “Growing in your walk with God” is a great desire, but how will you do it?  You need to write out exactly how you want to grow in the coming year.
2. Be realistic.  If you have never had a quiet time with God, resolving to start spending two hours each day is probably not realistic.  Take small steps.
3. Keep it short.  The longer your list, the harder it will be to carry through.  The shorter your list, the more you can focus on making each one happen.
4. Be Biblical.  Make sure your requests agree with the Scriptures.  How has he challenged you to grow recently as you have been in his Word?
5. Be prayerful.  Ask God how he wants you to grow.  Ask him to guide you as you evaluate and ponder.
6. Be committed.  I just read in I Timothy 4 that we should train ourselves for godliness.  We make resolutions to guide this training.  But we must commit to carry through.  Training will require some real effort on our part.  Commit to work hard to do what you resolve to do.
7. Be grace-dependent and grace-empowered.  While we must train ourselves, God is the one who changes people.  You need his help.  Seek his help regularly in prayer.  At the same time recognize that he will help you.  His grace will empower you.  We need not walk defeated.
8. Be grace-filled.  Change is a struggle.  You will fail.  Remember the cross covers all your sins.
9. Review regularly.  If you write your resolutions down and never come back to them, you have wasted your time.  You must regularly review them and recommit to fulfill them.
10. Be flexible.  As you review your resolutions, be flexible enough to change strategies along the way that aren’t working.  If your life situation changes during the year, be ready to adjust your resolutions.  Perhaps God challenges you to add one or postpone one during the year.  Life changes – be ready to make changes to your resolutions as you go.

May God help us to grow and change for his glory this year!