People often make New Year’s resolutions as a pledge to make changes in their lives. Often, we make resolutions to improve our physical health or financial standing. But God has higher things in mind for us. We look to temporal earthly gains, whereas He always has eternal heavenly aspirations.
Resolutions fail because the goal is from you and the pact is with yourself. “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5 NKJV).
What if you could sit down and ask God what He would have you change in your life for the year ahead? What do you think He would tell you? The problem we have is that we don’t ask for God’s directions. God can lead you, by His written Word, in your circumstances and whispered deep into your heart.
Seek to be in the will of God and it will be there you’ll find your purpose. “God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would do good works. God had planned in advance those good works for us. He had planned for us to live our lives doing them” (Ephesians 2:10 ICB).
Too often, we set goals far below what God can do in our lives. We may even ask for help in our prayers, but we only seek to accomplish within the limits of what we can do. When you only ask for the possible, then your prayers fall flat before a God who can do the impossible.
Never limit your faith to what you can do. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV).
Our resolutions are often rooted in a pride based on what others think of us. Whether it be in how we look or what recognition we might acquire, we can be off in what we aspire to. The measure is not in the resolution but in the motive upon which it is resting. Get your motives right.
Good motives are like good soil, get the foundation right, and good things can grow from it. “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives” (Proverbs 16:2 NLT).
If we truly receive our resolutions from God, then the motives will be pure, and the outcome will rely on His strength. The resolutions will sometimes not be what we want to do but will always be what is best for the kingdom of God. When we are in God’s will, there is no better place we can be.
Holy Father let my resolution be this, and only this, to be in Your holy will. “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness” (Psalm 143:10).
The best resolution you can walk in is the one that God is helping you. God will only help you press forward into those things that are aligned with His will. We would save ourselves so much despair and frustration if we would only go after those things God would have us do.
What if God really could help you become something new? He can! “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 AMP).
Beware the voice you hear that is in agreement with your flesh. Too often, we ascribe to God the things not of God and then wonder why we’re failing. Always test the voice you hear to the Word that is written from which you can always rely on. God will never say a thing contrary to His Word.
You can talk yourself into anything, so listen to God to do the right thing. “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left” (Isaiah 30:21 NLT).
Dare to compare your own resolutions to the resolutions that God would give you. If you don’t see a difference, then I question if you’re really listening to God. Dare to listen to God. Dare to receive the course correction that you may need for your life.
You can’t walk in your calling if you won’t listen to God. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27 NKJV).
It is not enough to receive God’s resolutions for your life, but you must endure walking in them. The secret is to become entirely reliant on God to help you. He will ask you to do what you can never do on your own but then reach down and help you get there. Dare to trust God.
It’s not enough to pray for direction, but you must go where He leads you. “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’” (Psalm 32:8 NLT).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
Amen! What a powerful message! This process requires complete surrender and having the Spirit lead our lives. We have to learn and do what God’s Word says. God’s Word is His will. Thank you Brother Paul for sharing. Happy New Year, a plethora of blessings to you!
Hi Anna! So sorry on my late reply. When i saw your words “complete surrender” it reminded me of the book by the great Andrew Murray called Absolute Surrender. Hope you might get it someday. You can get a free copy online. Thank you so much for your kind words that always encourage me so much. Many blessings to you my friend! Paul
Thank you Paul! I will definitely be getting that book! I sent you an email a few weeks back, not sure if you received it?
Hi Anna, I did and will be sure to write back! So sorry, things got a little hectic for me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your discourses. Your words have enlightened and aided me in my journey with Our Heavenly Father and His Word. I look forward to your refreshing and uplifting content. May God continue to bless you and equip you in spreading His Word.
Hello Elli, my apologies for replying so late. Thank you so much for your kind words! Your encouragement is invaluable for me and a blessing for the kingdom. It always blesses me to see brothers and sisters in Christ lifting each other up! I pray the Lord is using you in mighty ways. Blessings always, Paul