GLMX #178: A Reminder About Resolutions

Here we are at the beginning of another year. Like so many others have done, you probably took the opportunity during the past few days to look back over how your life has gone over the past year, and you have made up your mind about some things you want to change going forward. In fact, you probably have one or two "new year's resolutions" that you intend to keep over the next twelve months. 
  
Friend, I wish you all the best.
 
However, I want to encourage you not to leave God out of the equation. The Bible does not say much by way of new year's resolutions. However, in His Word, God does encourage us to examine our lives and seek God's help as we try to become better people each day. Lamentations 3:40 says, "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." Haggai 1:5 says, "Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways." This means we ought to look at and examine our lifestyle. The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Thus, it is wise to look back on our lives, and then to look forward with the determination to make changes for the better. 
 
One reason why many people fail to keep their new year’s resolutions is because they try to reach them in their own strength instead of with God’s help. They try to do it all on their own. However, they quickly realize their own shortcomings while trying to make this effort on their own. Despite their best intentions, they just can't do it on their own.