The Top Ten New Year's Resolutions for a Follower of Jesus Christ

It is important, as a follower of Jesus Christ that our hearts be totally submitted to God. We must surrender all areas of our life to Him. Every year we have great visions and great dreams that we hope to fulfill. However as the year proceeds, we find ourselves in test, trials and storms that we never expected. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. As a Christian, a follower of Christ, we must commit ourselves so that we can finish our race. We can only finish our race by totally submitting our hearts to God's desires.

Here are my top ten resolutions for a follower of Jesus Christ:

Number 10: To give me grace to run and finish my race: Grace is the power through the Holy Spirit to complete a difficult task in the natural. We need grace to run our race and we definitely need grace to fulfill the destiny that Jesus has called us to. Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Prayer: Father, give me grace to run my race and to finish the course. You are the lifter of my head and I can do all things through you that seem impossible. Father, let me complete the journey and do all you have called me to do.

Number 9: To grant me favor in all situations: Favor will bring you into places and positions that money can't buy. Favor will open doors of opportunity and cause people to bless you. We all need more favor. Gen 18:3 "My Lord, if I have now found favor in your sight, do not pass on by your servant.

Prayer: Father, grant me favor in the areas of my gifting and talents so that I may be a blessing to others. Father, give me favor so that your name, and your name alone will be glorified.

Number 8: To learn to love & appreciate all people: It's easy to love the lovable, but what about the not so lovable? We must pray for our enemies and God will change their hearts. He says, I will take out the stony heart and give you a heart of flesh. John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Prayer: Father, help me to pray for those that persecute and revile me. Help me to not be offended for the sake of your word. Let my roots run deep and let me stand tall in your righteousness. Let me be like a tree that bears fruit in all seasons.

Number 7: To Have More Faith to believe and receive His blessings: God wants us to believe by faith that we have what we ask for. It's not easy to believe for something you can't see, but expectantly hope for. If we believe we have it by faith then we can receive it by asking and standing on his promise to deliver. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Prayer: Father, teach me have faith like a child. Teach me to trust you and what your word says. I will have faith and I will trust and not doubt that you will bless according to your word and your timing. Help me to be patient and endure, for my time will come if I pursue and don't give up.

Number 6: To Worship Him through every test, trial and storm: Our worship is a form of thanks to God and all he does in us and through us. Our worship can lift the spirit of heaviness and bring us into the presence of the Lord. John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

Prayer: Father, let your worshipers arise to worship you in spirit and truth. May we all come and worship you, for the hour is quickly passing and soon your time will come.

Number 5: To be a consistent Praiser: It's easy to praise the Lord when everything is going right. However when problems arise, we need to remember that praise is our mighty weapon of warfare. Psalms 150:1-2 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Prayer: I promise to praise him more in and through the storms of life. I promise to be a consistent praiser in all things. Lord I take off the spirit of heaviness and receive the coat of praise.

Number 4: To be filled with His Joy: Happiness is what the world seeks after, which is temporal. His joy is everlasting. Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: I pray that God will fill me with his joy and that I will abound in hope and be filled with the power of his Holy Spirit. Father, let this joy be contagious and be imparted to others.

Number 3: To obtain peace From Him: There is so much fear in the world today and there are many who are seeking after peace. God promises us that those that are steadfast in him with have perfect peace. Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Prayer: Father, keep my mind stayed on you. Let me have perfect peace and let me totally trust you with all things. Let my peace be a witness to share with others.

Number 2:To have a heart totally submitted to Him: When our heart is right, everything else will fall into place. When our heart is submitted to Him, he will direct our path. John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

Prayer: Father I totally submit my heart to you. Let my heart burn with your desires. Let me follow you and may many rivers of living water flow from me to others.

My number one reason and my highest goal to obtain, is to win more souls for Jesus Christ - In 2008, I had the privilege of God using me as His vessel. I was blessed to be able to proclaim the gospel to more than 600 people. I will believe God that in 2009 that many more souls will be brought into the kingdom. Pro 11:30 - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Prayer: Father, make me a mighty soul winner for you. Let me be used as your vessel to proclaim the good news wherever I go. Lead me, guide me, protect me and direct me. Make me a witness to your salvation. May every soul that is saved be touched and changed for your glory. Lord, let me teach others, how to be soul winners for you. In Jesus Name, Amen.