As we begin a brand new year, we're going to explore what it looks like to create New Year's resolutions that matter.

Many of us feel the pressure to make changes that will positively impact our lives.

Yet we often struggle to find resolutions

that are truly valuable and sustainable.

But God and His love promises to make us new creations

when we surrender ourselves to him and his plans.

So as we dive into this brand new year,

let's explore what it looks like to receive this great gift of transformation today.

Welcome to the First 15 podcast. Our scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17.

Scripture says,

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away.

Behold, the new has come.

As each new year begins, we often wish our families and friends a happy new year.

But did you know that those words, or at least their equivalents, were first spoken by

the ancient Babylonians around 4,000 years ago?

Yet fast forward to today, and New Year's Day is the most universal of all holidays, celebrated

by people of all religions and cultures around the world.

When I think of the New Year, I often think of making resolutions. And even this tradition,

as old as the holiday itself was invented by the Babylonians.

Their most popular New Year's resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment, which is not a resolution I've ever needed to make.

But like them and like most people, I typically begin each year by creating goals around what I want to start doing and what I want to stop doing.

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