Checking In

Articles/Bulletins

Kevin Harrington
01/20/13 - Sunday Bulletin

We have just finished the third week of the new year and we are starting out on the fourth week. It’s time to check in and see how everyone is doing on their New Year’s Resolutions. Remember those things? It seems like so long ago where we promised ourselves that we would eat better, lose weight, read more, be nicer to people, and whatever else we were determined to do.

Statistics say that only 8% of the people who make New Years Resolutions will actually follow through and succeed. That means 92% of us will fail. Statistics also show that 29% of resolutions are broken within the first two weeks of the year. And 36% have broken their resolutions within the first month.

I think it’s time to check in and see how everyone is doing. How are the diets? How are the exercise programs? How are the Bible reading plans? How is your prayer life? How is your church attendance?

A lot of people think that once they break their resolutions once, then it’s all over. Once you missed one day of reading your Bible then you’re done and you can’t go on. Once you missed one worship service, you feel like your efforts are shattered and it’s time to give up. I’m here to tell you not to give up! The year is still early and there is still plenty of time to keep your New Years resolutions.

Quitting should not be an option. Have you asked God for strength during this process? Have you relied on His power or your own? God is always there and He is always listening. Jesus says in Matthew, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (7:7).

Are you finding yourself to be struggling? Ask for God’s help. When you ask in faith, wisdom will be given to you. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him as of God, that gives to all men liberally…and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith” (James 1:5-6).

Don’t find yourself wondering what you could have done different? Always remember that with God’s help, all things are possible…even those resolutions.

~ Kevin