INCLUDING GOD IN THE NEW YEAR

Are you making New Year’s resolutions this year? I’m a little cynical about them, to tell the truth. Every year my list seems to be the same: lose weight, exercise more, eat better, be more organized…. yadda, yadda, yadda! Enough New Years have come and gone just like the resolutions I make to know that I’ll probably forget about all my good intentions by February. I’m thinking that maybe I’m not really resolving to do the best thing!

Eating better is a very good resolution but is there something better? Something that will actually be life-changing and maybe help the other areas of my life I wish to improve. Yes, now I think I am onto something!

This year I am making only one New Year’s resolution. One that is so important that it is a must to keep.

I want to spend time with God every day at the start of the day and read my Bible.

Yes, I do that… mostly. But what I want is to make my time with the Lord so important that I cannot think of getting out of bed and doing anything else! 

That means if my day starts early, I start it earlier with the Lord. If I stay up later I still start early with the Lord! I want to follow Jesus’ example of spending time with His Father.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35

Jesus knew the importance of a day started by being connected with His Father.  It is how Jesus could face each day living in accordance with God’s holy and perfect will. 

For us praying, reading and studying our bibles, and spending that life-changing time with God is a discipline.  We should know how important it is, but our stubborn will always seems to be wandering! 

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I am committing to a discipline of prayer and studying my bible daily! How about you? 

This is one New Year’s resolution to keep for a lifetime!

Bible Verse to ponder… 

When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.  Psalm 63:6-8

Happy New Year!

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99 Comments

  1. Again, you are my inspiration. Years ago I tried to read God’s word every day. I was a working wife and mother and used that as my excuse when I slowly drifted. Now retired and a widow, I have plenty of time and this is a perfect resolution for me. Hope I keep it better than the one about losing weight I make each year. God bless you.

  2. Brenda M. says:

    What a great commitment. This is my hope and my plan! Blessings to you!

  3. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2017, my friend from across the pond whom I hope one day I shall get to meet! Xxx

  4. I love your 2017 resolution! “…and He shall raise you up….on Eagle’s wings…”

  5. Lanita Anderson says:

    Thank you, Yvonne, for sharing your heart and your resolution. I so appreciated the insight and the challenge! I’m with you, I read my Bible each morning before I start the day….mostly! But to do that even better and with the right attitude and motivation….that sounds like a perfect resolution for 2017 and for each year! Thank you and many blessings to you in the new year!

  6. Sue Powell says:

    Rather than a New Year’s resolution, our pastor encourages us to choose a word for the year and to live out that word throughout the year. Last year my word was “Others” and I concentrated more on doing things for others, e.g. Delivering Meals on Wheels, baking for a local soup kitchen, inviting new friends to our house, etc. This year my word is “Change” as there are some things about myself that I want to change, e.g., changing my attitude about some things, changing the way I react when my husband does something that annoys me, etc.
    Best wishes to you for a happy and healthy and blessed 2017.
    Sue P.

    1. Excellent idea Sue!!! I should do that also !!

    2. Catherine Litterell says:

      I love this idea too! Thanks for sharing it.

    3. I too love this idea! Thank you for sharing.

  7. Cindy Neal says:

    It is 7:20 am on January 2st. I was up at 6:15, starting again this morning with the desire to be with God, listen, pray and read my Bible. I spent time repenting and asking for a new heart’s desire to please Him and desire Him more than anything else in this world. To read your words this morning confirms I am on the right path!

    Thank you for your wonderful blog, but most of all for being a Godly woman. May blessings abound for you this year but more than blessings, may you touch other’s lives that may not know Him.

  8. AS always, thank you for your inspiration. I, too, believe starting the day with God’s Word is essential. May 2017 be a joyous year as we aspire to being better Christians.

  9. “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from henceforth now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8. Blessings on you and yours, Yvonne. Thank you for sharing your love of Him with the world.

  10. Daily I have been reading a one year chronological Bible for the last three years. This morning I will once again begin reading through the Bible, underlining and dating passages that are meaningful to me. This year we kept all of the Christmas cards we received and each evening my husband and I select one card and pray for the person who sent it to us during our evening prayer time together.

  11. Happy New Year and Blessings to you and your readers!

    Where do you post the winners of the $100 Gift Card winners?

    1. It will be on facebook tomorrow. I’m a little late because of the new year!

  12. Thank you for sharing your heart. I, too, pray that I’ll draw closer to our Lord.

    Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

  13. God’s blessings to you and your family as you begin the new year. Happy New Year.

  14. Denise Cox says:

    Thank-you, Yvonne, once again, for sharing God’s WORD with us as we embark on this new year. I bought a ” teaching” Bible from QVC and my goal is to read a bit each day/night. As long as I read SOMETHING! It takes about three wks. for a “habit” to be developed and I’m sure God will be patient with me… ?
    I just read that one of your readers focuses on a new “word” for the new year, instead of a resolution. I think that is a wonderful idea!! FANTASTIC IDEA! Kudos to her Pastor!! I think perhaps I will use the word “others”. I was an RN, but have not worked since 12/2002 as I’m on disability. I love to help others in any way. Aaaaaand… I think I will try to establish myself into a Church this year. I’m really feeling that “pull”. I have not been to a service since I left my husband in ’93! Perhaps it is also that as we age, we feel that the “pull” towards Christ becomes stronger? Whatever the case, I feel I’m ready…

    Happy New Year, Yvonne.. AND… to ALL of you readers out in the blogosohere (is that a real word.. ?)

  15. Happy New Year to you, your family and all the other fans who read your blog faithfully as I do. Thank you for all your help to us.

  16. Geri sileo says:

    I love reading the Bible on my iPad. My rule (which works for me) is that I cannot read anything else until I read the Word of God first. So when I pick up the iPad, Facebook, blogs and everything else has to wait!

  17. Pamela Richards says:

    We all need to make this resolution. God is our only hope! Bless you.

  18. Jere Newcomb says:

    A reminder for me in the New Year. Thank you. Happy New Year.

  19. Cheryle Atwater says:

    You inspire me in every facet of my life. My husband and I write goals on New Years to address: spirit, mind, body, financial, social and leisure. We do not always accomplish each one but then can carryover to the next year.

  20. Thank you Yvonne for your inspiration n resolution !! God bless!!

  21. Happy New Year to you and your family.
    Wishing you blessings in the year ahead.

  22. Great resolution, Yvonne! That’s my favorite one, too, since it matters more than all the others you mentioned that I never seem to succeed at!

  23. Thanks for the encouragement. We all need it. I’ve read through the scriptures every year for years and I’ve found that like any habit if you do it for some time it becomes a part of your routine and something’s missing when you don’t do it. It truly is our daily bread

  24. Cheryl Ann says:

    Happy New Year Yvonne! Thank you for sharing your truth…it’s inspiring.

  25. Marcy Leonard says:

    My thought exactly–the early morning moments spent in prayer and meditation guide the day.

  26. I may do it a little differently, but I, too, will spend time with God with a heart full of gratitude.

  27. So glad to see that you do this is well. My husband and I start each day with the Lord, and it sets the tone for the rest of the day. Happy New Year!

  28. Stacy Barfield says:

    I just discovered your blog a few weeks ago and I am so glad I did! May God bless you and your family in 2017!

  29. There could not be a better plan for your New Year. This plan of yours spoke to my heart.

  30. Catherine Litterell says:

    This is one of the best things about your blog to me. You put your faith in it. In this current culture we aren’t supposed to even mention His name for fear of offending someone. But we are called to be bold with our faith not ashamed. I don’t endorse those who stand on street corners screaming because that puts people on the defensive. But simply sharing your belief in small ways tells a wonderful story and gives other believers encouragement. Thank you

  31. Dorinda Selke says:

    Something I do everyday… could not move forward in my day without God in my life and my heart ❤️Thanks Yvonne and Happy 2017 to you and your family Hugs, Dorinda

  32. Theresa Winterberry Lane says:

    Thank you Yvonne and blessings to you and your family for the new year.May every heart prepare a room for Christ the Savior of the world to enter, so all may find peace and joy. My resolution is to start and end my day with God in my life.

  33. Thank you for sharing your faith, Yvonne. It makes your blog even more beautiful. Your decorating style is beautiful. Your decorating style with Jesus in your heart and home makes it even more beautiful! Blessings to ALL in 2017!

  34. Yvonne, as I read your post, I got God bumps! What a beautiful post! I began doing similar things 21 months ago, when my husband of nearly 10 years left me…never looked back and has only called once or twice in the entire time. God has blessed me! He helped me with something really big lastnight. I’d been struggling with how I wanted to share things on my Blog. I felt like I needed a change. I mean a change in my blog. I desired to have a new blog…but drew blanks every time I would sit down and try to come up with a name. But, lastnight, the name just popped into my head. When I was reading your post, I saw some of the words I wanted to talk about and ONE word that is in the name of my new blog. Weight loss, eating well, exercise and RESOLVE. My God provided all that I needed to begin that new blog TODAY!! [and so much more]

    If you have the time, stop by at Strengthening My Resolve on blogspot

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Jan

    ps…my blog used to be Jan’s Place and now is Strengthening my Resolve.

  35. I stopped making resolutions a few years back, as I never kept them. I believe you need to make changes when the time is right. That seems to work best for me.
    Happy New Year and a blessed 2017.

  36. Thank you, Yvonne, for this important post! A wonderful resolution, indeed! I hope your ankle is healing well and the doctors are pleased. Happy New Year from Ontario, Canada!

  37. Great idea to include God in your life. He wants people to draw close to Him- James 4:8. One suggestion I have is if you only have a few minutes, is this little book called Examining the Scriptures Daily 2017. It takes one verse each day and has a short application under it. It can set the tone for your whole day and only takes 5-10 minutes. You can even discuss it with your family each morning. Here is the link. It’s free to download.. https://www.jw.org/finder?pub=es17&wtlocale=E&srcid=share

  38. Pam Smith says:

    A wonderful post. I look forward to following you in 2017

  39. You have inspired me to commit to my mornings beginning first with Gods word. There is no better New Year resolution! Thank you!

  40. God bless you and your family in this new year!

  41. This IS the very best resolution a person could make for the New Year. I must admit that I don’t always give Jesus the best part of my day. I am joining you in my resolve to earnestly seek His face through prayer and reading His Word daily.

  42. Happy new year! What a great resolution! I start each day like that and my resolution is to continue to do it through the year.

  43. Last night I prayed that exact prayer as my “new years resolution” as well. And wouldn’t you know it, before I said anything to him, my husband got up and said he wanted to do that every morning with me and we could hold each other accountable. Isn’t God good when we let Him be head of our home!! God bless. And thank you for being a wonderful example in blogland of a godly woman.

  44. And wishing you joy and blessings in this new year, Yvonne. I love my talks with my Lord, especially in my bed at night and all through the day. Without Him we have nothing. Thank you for this very inspiring message!

  45. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, I Cor. 1:4 We as Christians need to encourage our fellow sisters in the Lord. I thank you for sharing your faith with all. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord will lift His countenance upon us if we only draw close to God and abide in Him.

  46. Yes, Yes, Yes!! That is the very best resolution and one that I plan to be more diligent to keep this year also! Blessings to you for an amazing 2017!!

  47. Focusing on the Lord is a wonderful resolution for me for the new year. I am coming off of the most emotionally painful year of my 54 years. Honestly you just cannot make the stuff up that happened to us this year. Just when we thought nothing worse could possibly happen it did. So focusing on the Lord and not the train wrecks surrounding us is the way to go! ” to God be the glory, great things he has done! ” happy new year to anyone reading this!

  48. Oops, sorry. I was trying to make a heart. I thought <3 made one.

  49. Karen Cadden says:

    God promises that His word will not return void. Resolutions do not bring the life changing results that reading the Bible and sitting in His presence do. Blessings as we all continue on our path to getting to know Him more!

  50. So very glad I read your blog today. Some days I put scripture way down on my list. Why do we “do what we don’t want to do and not do with we want to do”. Going to prioritize in 2017.

  51. Anne Marie says:

    This is a wonderful post – AMEN.

  52. Arrilla Milby says:

    Happy blessed 2017 Yvonne. I’m sorry to say that not every day do I get up in time to share time with God’s Holy Word. It’s easy to let other things take precedence. Instead, several years ago, I asked God to keep me awake until I read His Word at night. So if I can’t go to sleep, He reminds me that I didn’t read and I get up and delve into His Word. (Doesn’t happen too often.) Like another one of your friends said earlier, I too read a Chronological Bible and it helps me so much to keep things in order of their happening. Last night was exciting just reading in Revelation! Praise God that He wins! Hurry and come Lord Jesus!

  53. Christi Maze says:

    I’m starting my year off right with you! I love reading your blog. Happy New Year … praying blessings for you and yours.

  54. A great resolution. Mine was to walk every morning. Well I think I have broken it already, my back is so bad and I gotnot fr along and the pain was taking my breath away, I kept thinking walk through the pain barrier. Well the long and short of it was I didn’t think I would make it home, but praise the Lord I did. Tomorrow is being with the Lord instead of walking and being with him. Ha ha.
    Hugs Kay

  55. Pam A Brubaker says:

    Yvonne, I am not a new believer but have been having my time with God most every morning. I too want to make sure this is how I start my day all year long. Thank you for the blog it is wonderful in this day and age one would express there believe and share with others. Many blessings to you this New Year!

  56. LuAnn Davis says:

    Yvonne, this is exactly my life plan for 2017! I am not a fan of resolutions because it’s something WE resolve to do. Apart from Christ we can do nothing, so without Him at the center of all we do we will fail! Spending time alone with the Lord is always His plan, and He is always waiting for us to show up! Jer. 29:11 says it all. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Our country is going nowhere without believers on their knees. We must humble ourselves and pray and SEEK HIS FACE! Thank you for sharing your life plan for 2017 with us. It is an encouragement to know others are on the same page with you! May God bless you and your endeavors in 2017!

  57. Great example to follow. I get up early also and enjoy my time with the Lord. When I place Him first He helps me make time for everything else.

  58. Happy New Year! And yes, I agree wholeheartedly that it’s so important to make time daily to spend in God’s word- and first thing! Thanks for the reminder!

  59. Margo Wahlquist says:

    Thank you for sharing. My thoughts are similar. Scriptures and prayer are a must every morning before tackling the day.I try to get to work early to give me that extra time I need to pray, read and meditate some more. I need that strength and wisdom I can only get from the scriptures.
    New year’s resolutions come and go and come back again. I have to be in the right mind set to make a change.,and that can happen anytime of year. But staying committed to the Lord is my ongoing desire.

  60. Yvonne, thank you for your Godly witness! I have such trouble in trying to do this every morning, though it is on my heart to do so. i must ask God to show me the solution.

    I enjoy Bible Study Fellowship here in Alabama! If anyone out there would like to study the Book of John, we will be doing so until the month of May. Look them up on the web to find a class in your area!

  61. Teresa Alexander says:

    thank you, Yvonne! daily time in the Word and praying is the bestf!!!

  62. Great resolution! Best way to start and end your day.

  63. Joan Moore says:

    Amen and Amen!!! I try to read the Bible thru every year, but fell quite short in 2016, due to moving etc.
    New Year, New Start!!! Thanks for your encouragement.

  64. I want to grow spiritually this year and spend more time in with the Lord each day.

  65. Yvonne, I want to have the same discipline that you have for 2017. I spend time with the Lord “almost” every morning but there are days that I skip it and I always feel bad about that. I have had the same Bible for years and it was literally falling apart. It was very hard for me to make the decision to store that Bible away and get me a new Bible. BUT now I have a brand new Bible that a friend of mine gave me and I’m excited to read through it daily and make personal notes in the margins.

  66. Thank you so much for being such an encouragement to us. I love reading God’s Word each morning. Thank you again and God bless you.

  67. Thankfully we can learn so much from each other & the blessing verses from the bible ..Thanks for sharing so much…

  68. Fran Braun says:

    A wonderful reminder. Yes I need to continue to start my day with my Lord. My morning devotions center me. My day goes so much better when the Lord and I sit down together before I jump into all the things that need to be done. I need Him first.

  69. Cheryl Bell says:

    You continue to inspire me Yvonne. Every year I declare I’m going to be better aboutdoing my morning devotion 1st thing in the morning and somehow daily life gets in the way. Or should I say, I let it get in the way. It’s always good to know other women have the same issue I do with staying motivated to be in God’s word first thing every morning. Thanks so much for sharing your faith with your readers, your life and your creative side. I look forward to reading your blog every day!

  70. I love your 2017 resolution sign. Thanks for your encouraging food for thought to all of us as well, to make daily reading the bible a 2017 resolution. I need to also learn patience, and meekness as a daily resolution in my life to.
    Thank you for your positive encouragement.

  71. LOVE this post!! Blessings in 2017 to you and yours!

  72. Praying that your time with the Lord will be richly blessed this year! I’m praying, as well, that I will do the thing that is necessary, more consistently!

  73. Instead of the same old resolutions this year I selected a word to live by, to remind me how I want to live that day. My word is KINDNESS.

    I what to give back the kindness God has shown me to others including myself. For others it can be a simple as a smile, a hello or a compliment. Or making someone’s life easier a ride to the doctor, a meal to someone in need, forgiveness.

    I will be kind to me as well. Taking better care of my health, resting more (with the grace of God things will get done if he wishes them to be), not being so hard on myself.

    For several years my husband has had health issues (things seem to be resolved),and many family deaths but this year I’m going to put it into Jesus hands and let him lead me into a peaceful New Year.

  74. Reminds me of the lyrics “. In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus.”

  75. Avril Crundwell says:

    Thank you so much for this excellent focus to start the year. i have started reading thru the bible but to me that’s not the same as spending time meditating on His word with Him. Thank you again.

  76. Faye Jordan says:

    thank you for your blog! I’m trying to read thru the bible this year.

    1. I am too. I found a chronological reading that I am really enjoying.

  77. JennieLee says:

    Loved reading your 2017 New Year’s resolution…standing firm in drawing close to the Lord. A precious reminder that should be my #1 resolve also! Thank you for sharing your heart, and for sharing your gifts and talents with us.

  78. Yvonne, I love your new year resolution!I only have one resolution as well. It’s Obedience. Wishing you a very happy New Year with God at the center of it!

  79. Beverly McIntyre says:

    Love all your posts but love that you are committed to sharing you relationship with the Lord. With Him the is peace and satisfaction, without Him nothing is ever enough. Thank you for the tip on the plate hangers. Ordered them immediately, can’t wait for them to arrive. So tired of the wire plate hangers.

  80. The problem we have with God is that when we commit to changing parts of our life, we must keep this commitment alive. And it is tough! Losing weight is easier, getting up early is simple, but treating with Him is tough, mainly because He knows us deeply and we cannot cheat on Him. I will try to be closer to Him in the coming year.

    Thanks for your inspiration once more and for everything else you are generous to share with us,
    Charo

  81. I couldn’t agree more! I can’t imagine starting a new day without God first. Thank you so much for all your posts. Happy New Year!

  82. Paula Elliott says:

    Well, from other comments it appears this was first posted in 2017, but I don’t remember it and am glad you re-posted. I just want to say how refreshing it is to see a popular blogger like yourself boldly taking a stand for God and righteousness, especially in 2019! If you turn on the tv, look at newspapers or magazines, walk through the mall, etc, you can begin to feel like you’re the only person in the world who believes as we do. Thank you for the encouraging reminder that we are not alone (read ll Kings 6, esp. v.16!!) and that with all the busyness ahead of us in 2020, ultimately the only thing that really matters is our relationship with Christ and others! God’s richest blessing on you and yours in the coming year!

    1. Yes, this post was first posted in 2017. I wanted to do a post about reading God’s word as a goal for 2020 and found this one. It said everything I wanted to say so I reposted it.

  83. Thanks for the reminder of what is the most important thing in the hurried lives we lead. I love that Psalm . . . so comforting.

  84. Amen! For the past 40+ years, give or take, my pastor husband always preaches on reading the Word the last Sunday of the year. He encourages people to read through entirely; but reading the Word, even if not in its entirety, is a life changer. It’s interesting that Psalm 1 uses the word “meditate” meaning talk to yourself. In the NT, the word means revolve in the mind – interesting! Blessings to you for the encourgement.

  85. Karen Bell says:

    Thank you for all you bless us with all year round !! My no# One goal is to study Gods word more. ?Happy 2020

  86. Ginny Ricci says:

    What a blessing, Yvonne…thank you!

  87. Yvonne, I’ve been following you for years ,I love your style and Love for Our Lord and Savior!!!
    Thank you so very much for everything, God Bless You and Your New Home!!!!