Just like a whirlwind, Christmas has come and gone. The parents are relieved and the kids are content with new toys that they were given by St. Nick. The people’s bellies are full and the wallets are now empty. It's time to realize that New Year's is on the way. It's the time when the gyms become full for a matter of time and we start to try to better ourselves to make 2016 the best year we've ever had. Sometimes we carry over problems from 2015 and we are doomed from the start. This year let's not make empty resolutions to lose weight, save more money, or quit smoking. Make some resolutions that will be worthwhile and will affect your relationship with God. Here are 11 Resolutions Christians Should Make for 2016.

1. Talk to the God you serve.

It seems so simple, but yet people make it out to be so hard. It's something that we Christians don't do near enough. It's time to quit talking about people and talk to God about these people. We need to make a resolution to spend some time talking to God. It's time to find our secret place as the bible tells us. "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” Matthew 6:6

2. Read about the God you serve.

Another resolution we can make that seems so simple, but Christians rarely spend their time doing it is to read the Bible. God's word is what we have to go by and what we are to live by. It is the foundation of our faith, yet many Christians never bother to open it except on Sunday, sometimes not even then. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. Worship the God you serve.

Let's make a resolution to quit going to church as a social gathering. Let's go to church for the intended purpose. To show God that we want to be closer to him and to be yoked with fellow believers in order to lift each other up. Let's not go because we are made to go, or because if you don't show up the town will be talking, let's go to church to worship the Lord. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10: 24-25

4. Talk about the God you serve.

Let's resolve to tell people what God has done for you. Tell them how good he is and how he sent his only son to save them. Posting a mere Bible Verse to Facebook each day is not enough. It is our job to tell people about the God we serve. Let's resolve to tell someone about God or invite someone to church in the upcoming year. "He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

5. Work for the God you serve.

Let's resolve to not just talk about serving the Lord, but let's put in some manual labor for the Lord's work. Let's make a resolution to do the jobs that are sometimes looked over. Volunteer at your church, go vacuum the carpets in your sanctuary, help the youth group put together a yard sale to raise money for a mission trip, etc. Find ways you can use the able body God has given to you to better serve him.“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

6. Use your gifts for the God you serve.

Not all of us are singers, not all of us can build a VBS set, but whatever gift that God has blessed you with make a resolution to use it to support the growth of your church and the kingdom of God. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

7. Live for the God you serve.

This coming year let's resolve to live and walk with God by our sides. You have probably heard the saying "Your life may be the only Bible some people read." That is a big responsibility we Christians have to fulfill. In 2016, let's do the best we can to be better at living for God than we ever have in the past. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

8. Give to the God you serve.

God has given you everything and we should be sure to give Him everything that we can. Whatever is needed from us we should make a resolution to give it to Him as it is needed. When your church needs work done, give your time. When your church needs money, give your money. When a brother needs help, give what you can. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

9. Listen to the God you serve.

This New Year's we need to make it a point to let God lead, guide, and direct us. Let's take the time to listen and do what God tells us to do. "He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

10. Dedicate your life to the God you serve.

You may have already dedicated your life to God in the past. This next year work to dedicate or re-dedicate your life to his service. "Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1

11. Thank the God you serve.

After all, he has done for you make it a point to thank God for all he does/ has done/ continues to do in your life in the coming year. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

We could all make one or more of these resolutions for the coming New Year. Remember that we are sinful people by nature and we are going to fail. God did not ask us to be perfect. That is why he sent his son Jesus. May God bless you more than he ever has in the year of 2016.