By Dr. Steve Easterwood

As we begin a new year many of us are considering New Year’s resolutions. There’s the standard fare of “I’m going to lose weight” and “I’m going to get in shape.” Some of us, because of past experience, reject the whole idea of resolutions. But it was Socrates who wisely said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” We consistently need to take a hard look in the mirror and make commitments about how we will live. It has been said that our lives are a monument to the commitments we have made. When you are considering how you might live more productively in 2011 may I offer a few suggestions?

1. READ YOUR BIBLE DAILY
Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Kathleen Norris, in her book “Amazing Grace,” tells the story of a man named Arlo who was given an expensive, leather-bound Bible as a wedding present. Even though Arlo’s wife had written a thank you not and Arlo had told his grandfather several times how much he appreciated the gift, the grandfather kept asking if Arlo had actually read the book. Finally, not wanting to lie to his grandfather, Arlo opened the Bible and found a twenty dollar bill at the beginning of the book of Genesis...and at the beginning of every other book of the Bible. The Bible contained over $1,300 in all. There’s great value in reading the Bible. Through it, God guides us in His ways and following His ways are the key to success in 2011.

2. PRAY FAITHFULLY
The Bible’s promise is “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7) As we were coming to the end of 2010 there were several things that needed to happen in my life to finish the year well. Through prayer, each of those things came about. Some of them seemed impossible. Other people doubted they could happen. But God can do anything! Through prayer He moves immovable situations. With this kind of power at our disposal, how can we be too busy to pray? As Bill Hybels says, “We are too busy NOT to pray.”

3. MEET WEEKLY WITH A CHRISTIAN FRIEND

The Bible says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (Proverbs 27:6) There are plenty of people in the world who will tell you what you want to hear. You are blessed if you have a few people who will tell you what you NEED to hear. Find a Christian friend who will do this for you. Meet for coffee once a week and tell them your goals for 2011. Ask them to hold you accountable for your progress.

Do these three simple things and you’ll be amazed at how much you accomplish this year!

Dr. Steve Easterwood is the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dexter.