New Year’s Day

It’s a custom in the United States, to make “New Year’s Resolutions” on January 1 of the new year. A resolution is a decision to do something. A “New Year’s Resolution” is a decision to change something or accomplish something in the new year.

Most Americans laugh about New Year’s Resolutions. The joke is that New Year’s Resolutions last about only 3 weeks and then they are forgotten. So, if you decide on January 1st that you are going to go on a date with your wife one day a week, or start jogging 5 times a week; you will notice that you start off OK but soon you will quit doing it.

Is there a particular time of the year when you look at your life and make some changes or “resolve” to do things a bit differently in the future? For some people, that might be at the beginning of a new school year or on January 1st. For others, that might be when something new happens in your life - you move to a new city and have a chance to “start over”; or when you get married or begin a new job.

When have you made a decision to make a change or resolution, and succeeded in making the change? What are some resolutions that didn’t last more than 3 weeks? What is the key or keys to success in making real changes in your life?

Are there any changes you would like to make this year? What will you do? How will you do it? Next week, bring a list of 5 resolutions and share them with your TalkTime friends. (Or you can keep them private)

The Old Testament of the Bible tells of an agreement between God and His people, the nation of Israel. God said that He would take care of them and that they should obey the Old Testament Law that He gave them, and love God with all their hearts and minds and souls..

But a prophet named Jeremiah writes about something new that God planned to do at the right time:

“A new day is coming,” says the Lord. “I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel. I will also make it with the people of Judah. It will not be like the agreement I made with their people long ago. This is the agreement . . .”

“I will put my law in their minds. I will write it on their hearts. I will be their God. And they will be my people. A man will not need to teach his neighbor anymore. And he will not need to teach his friend anymore. He will not say, “Know the Lord.” Everyone will know me. From the least important of them to the most important, all of them will know me. I will forgive their evil ways. I will not remember their sins anymore.” Jeremiah 31:31-34