At the beginning of the year most people make a resolution outlining the changes that they would make in their life in the New Year. Some people may decide to go on a diet or to start an exercise regimen while others want to recommit their life to God and form a closer relationship with him.

The New Year seems to promise a brighter and better future. So for most of us we begin it with zeal and a fresh outlook. All the new resolutions that were made are followed through with vigor. However, by the third or fourth week in January when the New Year begins to get stale we begin to lapse on these resolutions until by February we return to our old lifestyle. The passion of a new beginning is quenched.

If you take a closer look on our society you will find that commitment is lacking among us. Many people are not committed to marriage, relationship or their jobs. Even simple things such as a project or household chores, many people are unable to complete. These simple tasks might seem harmless to us but the enemy used them to defeat us.

God wants us to be committed in everything that we say or do. Colossians 3: 23-24 says:

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

If our aim is to always please God then we will always do our best in everything that we do. Sometimes you will feel like giving up when the pressure increases but you have to persevere until your job is completed.

Only when you have the characteristics of the new man in Christ will you be able to endure until the end. These new characteristics include patience, humility, forgiving, kindness, satisfaction, peaceful, being filled with the word of God and thankfulness.

Expressing your gratitude to others and to God will lead you to a rich and successful life. Many of us including myself find it hard to express our gratitude frequently. So for this New Year my resolution is to publish a scripture verse everyday to remind us of God’s goodness in our lives and expressing our thanks to him. It is called our Daily Thanksgiving Devotion.

You can participate by sharing your testimony or praise report on my Facebook Page so that it can be posted on this blog to encourage and motivate others.

Do not forget that you are free to share your thoughts in the reply box below. Help us make this New Year one that is filled with gratitude and dedication to God.

My prayer for all of us:

Heavenly Father, teach us your statutes (decrees) so that we can keep them to the end. Teach us understanding so we will obey your will with our whole heart.

Make us walk in the path of your commandments and righteousness because we delight in them. Incline our hearts to your testimonies and not to covetousness.

Lord, turn away our eyes from looking at worthless things and revive us in your ways. Establish your words to us, your servants, who are and will be devoted only to you. Turn away all our reproaches for your judgments are good.

Behold, we long for your precepts so revive us in your righteousness. Let your mercies flow upon us, O Lord, and your salvation according to your word. We give you thanks and praise O God for we trust completely in your word.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!

The above prayer is taken from: Psalms 119:33- 42

Have a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year!