Here we are on the threshold of a new year.  This is a time when many desire to make a change in their lives; to make resolutions to that end.  We know that most of these fall by the wayside within days as man’s intensions give way before well established habits.  But, Believers can commit to the following two passages of Scripture, if change is what we seek:
“Teach us to number our days aright,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  Psalm 90:12
And,
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2
 
‘Teach us’
There are many verses in Scripture that asks the Lord to teach us, for only in Him is the true path.
“Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.”  Psalm 25:4-5
 
“Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”  Psalm 25:8-10
 
“I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statues.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts…”  Psalm 119:26-27
 
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God;
May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”  143:10
 
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, he charges Titus to speak sound doctrine.  
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”  Titus 2:1
 
Paul, in Vs. 2-10, then covers the different groups of people:
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.”  Vs. 2
 
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanders or addicted to much wine, but teach what is good.  Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self- controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”  Vs. 3-5
 
Verse 6 speaks of young men,
“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.”
 
In Vs. 7-8 Paul encourages Titus to be their example and his teaching to be above reproach,
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
 
Finally, Paul addresses the teaching of the slaves,
“Teach the slaves to be subject to their master in everything, to try to please them not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”  Vs. 9-10
 
Paul then warns against  ungodliness,
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Vs. 11-13 
(Read all three chapters, they apply to the Church.)
 
Notice!  We are to be self-controlled!  That is a fruit of the Spirit and He is the one who brings this forth.  Let us yield to Him to work this in each of us this new year.  Only in being sensitive to and obeying Him, this is a resolution that we can keep!
 
As we look forward to each new day, we thank you Lord for what you have done and are doing in these lives that belong to you.  Thy will be done in each of us that your glory may fill the earth!  Amen