Even though most people don’t think about making personal resolutions until closer to the New Year, I’d like to say a few things about their importance, and suggest a few for you to consider. A lot of people don’t like them, but, in my opinion, we need them. They help us think about where we need to improve, and, at the same time, encourage us toward making our lives more productive and enjoyable.
    Without further explanation or apology, here are some suggestions for making your personal resolutions. If one or more don’t fit your situation, concentrate on those that do.
    1.    Read and study your Bible some every day, letting God direct you.
    2.    Spend as much time as possible in focused prayer for yourself and others.
    3.    Attend church every time you possibly can, including Bible classes.
    4.    Set a good example of devotion and commitment for others, especially your children.
    5.    Ask God to help you develop and use a new talent to serve him and bless others.
    6.    Increase the time you spend in seeing to the physical and spiritual needs of others.
    7.    Increase the percentage of your income you give to the work of the Lord.
    8.    Speak a word of encouragement to someone every day (whether you think they need it or not).
    9.    Endeavor to say only things that are helpful, wholesome and pure.
    10.    Express your gratitude to someone who has meant something good in your life.
    11.    Develop the courage to try to help someone learn the way to heaven.
    12.    Increase your hospitality toward others, especially those who may not be in a position to do the same for you.
    13.    Be willing, no matter how hard, to “bless those who persecute you.”
    14.    Learn to praise God better in everything that you do and say.
    For more specific resolutions, take a careful look at some of the compilations found in the words of Holy Scripture. For example, those given by Paul in Romans 12:9-21 are eternally important.
    Look in an unabridged concordance, or do a search on your computer for the expression “I will” in the Bible. You may be surprised at how often people pledged their “resolutions” to the Lord to do his will. Making these promises — not in an attempt to “bargain with the Lord,” but to tell him of our desire to obey and pAs already suggested, thinking about resolutions is appropriate at any time of the year. People often benefit from making them, whether they like to do it, or even intend to profit from making them. Certainly God wants his children to spend time thinking about how we can live a better life and, in doing so, glorify him.
    In the words of the apostle Peter, may God help us all “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen.” — 2 Peter 3:18 ESV