Read: Proverbs 16:3  |

If you want to make the most out of your life, you must make a commitment to success rather than just making a New Year’s Resolution for change.

– Larry Miller

A young man was at a New Year’s party. He asks his friend for a cigarette. The friend replied “I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking,” The young man answered, “I’m in the process of quitting, Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.” “What’s phase one?”, his friend asked. The young man replied. “I’ve quit buying.”

Typically, at the sunset of the prior year and the dawn of a new year we look back and look forward. Spiritually, we often resolve to “do-be-do-be-do” – To do better, be a better Christian, do this more, be that more and of course to not do “it” any more. Obviously, the details of “this”, “that” and “it” vary by person as do the results.

The result of a resolution lies in whythe resolution was made. By definition, a resolution is an intention or determination to make a change. By my random poll, it appears as we age fewer people seek to make resolutions. I am told that they dislike the feeling of being a failure, if the resolution does not work out.

To be more successful the resolution must evolve into a commitment. A commitment is stronger because it involves a pledge, promise or obligation to a course of action. As Believers, we can submit our goals to God and pledge to achieve them.

The key difference between a resolution and a commitment is in the follow-through and emotional investment. A personal commitment carries a greater desire to meet or exceed the personal pledge and a drive to develop and demonstrate this same commitment.

This year try making New Year Commitments versus Resolutions. Allow the Holy Spirit to work within us to Discover, Develop, and Demonstrate growth in the appropriate areas of our lives this year.

Discover
Discover is a verb of action. Every day is a day we can discover and rejoice in something new about God. Day by day, God desires a closer walk with Him. Seek to walk in God’s footprints more often and keep God closer to our hearts and persistently on our minds.

As we seek to uncover and reveal the areas of our lives that are not submitted to Him, the Holy Spirit will reveal the goals we need to commit to. Discover and be open to what God has planned for us this year and in the future.

Develop
As we discover fallow non-spiritual areas of our hearts and minds, pray and meditate as we turn them over to Jesus.

To properly develop the shaky areas of our faith, make the time for a consistent one on one with Christ to pray for the strength and wisdom needed to develop these areas. Satan will be working overtime to counter-attack the development. Thus, be just as diligent to ensure we maintain our full armor of God to repel his attacks.

For the revealed areas, set interim goals on the calendar and with friends as a checkpoint reminder of our commitment. If we have committed to read the Bible more, set a monthly goal; if it is losing weight, make an appointment to meet a friend during the week to work out or sign-up for a class or a half-marathon at the end of the year. Honor God by developing the areas He has pointed out in our spiritual walk.

Demonstrate
As God enlightens our minds during the discovery process and impresses on us where we need to develop our lives, create with Him a plan of action to demonstrate and perpetuate our growth. After all, 3D Believers consistently demonstrate the dramatic difference that Christ makes in the lives of believers as we flesh out the words of God in our 3D lives.

This year, follow Him and discover the truth found in His Word. This year, follow Him more and develop the truth in our lives. This year, follow Him consistently and demonstrate the truth and the light of Christ to others.

Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.

– Jonathan Edwards

Note: Please visit the site – because I said I would.
Mission: Because I said I would is a social movement and nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering humanity through the power of a promise. To encourage positive change and acts of kindness, we send “promise cards” to anywhere in the world at no cost. People use these cards to remember the importance of their word, for promises both big and small. We have sent over 150,000 promise cards to over 48 different countries by request only (Click here to see old map of distribution from June).

Questions:
1.Discover –
A. After prayer and determination, what are some things that God wants you to work on this New Year?
B. Fill out a promise card using the link above and commit each discovery to God (with a prayer partner) and pledge to work on it

2.Develop –
A. How can you ensure that you consistently apply yourself to what the Holy Spirit has pointed out? In the comment box, record some of your ways to track your progress of your goals.
B. Do you expect the growth in the area(s) to be easy or challenging?

3.Demonstrate –
A. How will your New Year’s commitment affect your spiritual growth?
B. How will it affect your witness?