"2014 Is Here!"

Last Wednesday began a brand new year. The beginning of a new year is always a good time for reflection and goal setting. The beginning of a new year is a precise mark in time from which we can set schedules and define milestones that we would like to reach.

On NBC's Today Show, last week and through the end of the year, they were doing what they do every year at this time. They were looking back over 2013 at plans, goals and accomplishments in order to measure how we did, against those plans and goals, during the year.

It is appropriate for us to do the same…to look back over the past year and ask ourselves, "What did I accomplish last year…what were my goals and how did I measure up in the achievement of those goals?" Did I make improvements in my life during 2013 or did I just mark time by getting through each day.

The beginning of a new year is also a great time to make promises (resolutions) to yourself, and others, of things you would like to accomplish or changes that need to be made in your life. Is there something that you would like to change about yourself? Maybe it's a bad habit, such as smoking cigarettes, or using language that is not becoming a Christian. Maybe you need to be more patient and understanding with others. Maybe it's __________________________! You fill in the blank.

Some resolutions that all of us should make for the coming year are: I resolve

To study the Bible in a more regular and disciplined manner.
      To strive for a more active and effective prayer life.
      To be more active in the work of the church.
      To attend the services of the church more faithfully.
      To begin to love the brethren more.
      To help others who are in need.
      To tell others about Jesus and what He has meant to me.

All of the above mentioned items are worthy of our resolve, however this is not an exhaustive list, by any means. Let's all take some time and reflect on our lives and the changes that we need make and let's resolve to work on those during 2014. Then next year, at this time, we can look back and see how well we achieved our goals.