Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

Episode 292

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:

A survey of 2,000 people highlights common resolutions: diet (71%), exercise more (65%), save more/spend less (32%), learn a new skill, quit smoking, find a new job, and spend time with family and friends.
These resolutions are often hard to keep due to requiring significant lifestyle changes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN RESOLUTIONS:

For Christians, resolutions should prioritize God's will and honor Him.
Success in resolutions is more likely when they align with God's will.
Examples of Christian resolutions include seeking God's guidance for resolutions and praying for wisdom and strength.

SCRIPTURAL GUIDANCE:

James 1:5 encourages seeking God's wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Philippians 4:13 emphasizes reliance on Christ: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Matthew 6:5 warns against hypocritical actions: "When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites...that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
Ephesians 2:10 underscores living for God's purpose: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Be accountable to others for resolution adherence.
Avoid taking personal credit for successes, recognizing God's empowerment.
Include spiritual resolutions like reading the Bible, praying more, and giving to the church.
Ensure motivations for spiritual resolutions are to honor God, not for self-aggrandizement.

It’s only January 1. You still have time to make a few more resolutions that honor God and seek his help in keeping all the rest!

ON TODAY’S PROGRAM, ROB ANSWERS LISTENER QUESTIONS:

I want to refinish our basement and put in a beauty salon, but we don't have much money; should I use a line of credit, and what are my best options for financing?
I'm recently retired and concerned about the reliability of Ally, where I've opened a Roth IRA; should I move my funds to a different institution?
As we prepare for our elderly parents' future, what type of insurance should we purchase to cover burial expenses, especially if they wish to be buried in their home country?
We sold a pickup truck; should I tithe on the proceeds from this sale?

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