Plan For The New Year

I know it is cliché but plans for everyone’s New Year resolutions for the upcoming year are being made right now. How can you make your life different? There are always things we can change, improve on, or are unhappy about. Have you given any thought to your spiritual modifications? 

A bible from 1859.

Are your devotional habits weak, inconsistent, or nonexistent? One of the simplest things is to read 5-10 minutes from your Bible. Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24). The prophet Ezekiel also wrote: “As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you and listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.” (Ezekiel 33:30-31)

Psalm 119 tells of the importance of God’s words, the Bible. Within the pages we find what God wants us to believe (Acts 16:31), how to be (Ephesians 4:32), and what to do (Mark 16:15). “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Bible is God’s truth and is full of His promises. “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a lier.” (Proverbs 30:5-6) The Bible is the word of the living God.

When reading God’s word take special care and thought into what you are reading. If we read too hurriedly or without thought, we will miss His important messages. During that 5-10 minutes give your devotional time your complete attention.

Now take what knowledge you have gathered from the Scripture and go out and practice what you have read. God’s word will strengthen you in your walk with Him. The scripture is there to give us direction, correction, and protection in our daily life. Start off the new year by having a great foundation to build each day on.

Sometimes our resolutions are carried out only for a little while (a few weeks experts say) and then forgotten. What one promise can you make to our Heavenly Father that you can stick to all year? Ask yourself how you can live to please God.

Read the Bible…live God’s words.

Read: Psalm 119:11-12 & 16; Palm 119:105; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 119:162; Colossians 1:27-2:3; Colossians 2:2-3

Here are some things you can concentrate on and strengthen your spiritual growth for the coming year:

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44)

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

“ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

“And this is, love; that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1:6)

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