This time it’s gonna be different. This time I’m gonna stick with it. This time nothing can get in my way.
How many of you have said this or heard someone say these words? We mainly have been guilty of making these bold statements at the beginning of the new year as we set in motion our resolutions to be better this year than ever before. There is nothing wrong with setting resolutions. I think goal setting is healthy and makes us better people. But we gotta be realistic too. Suppose you are setting goals that are so outrageous. In that case, you will only be disappointed in yourself and perhaps become so discouraged that you won’t even try again after you fail. Christians should set goals that are obtainable and spiritually focused. Here are a few ideas to help develop some realistic, attainable goals in a new year for a new you. A new spiritual you.
- Focus on Kingdom work – More people are losing their way in the church because they are not paying attention to what they can do in Kingdom work. They come to worship most of the time. They open their Bibles, for the most part. They give, sort of. Too often, people go through the motions of their spiritual lives and forget to take to heart the opportunity and obligation they have to work in the Kingdom. Get busy. Get involved. Sign up to teach. Cook a meal. Send a card. Go visit the sick and shut-ins. Study the bible with someone and convert them to Christ. Get busy in Kingdom work and watch what you can be in 2023!
- Commit to praying as you have never before – Life is busy and distracting. We too quickly can fill up our schedule with all the other things in life and forget to spend time with God in prayer. When we have a minute, we too quickly turn to our phones. We scroll social media and read the latest gossip, news, scandal, or nonsense from what the world calls “influencers.” Do you want real influence? Talk to the One who has the power to indeed influence your spiritual life. Communicate with the Almighty and watch what you can be in 2023.
- Read, study and obey the Word of God – Too often, we rely on how we think our lives should be rather than consulting what God intends for our lives to be. When you read the word of God, read for understanding, not just to get further along to the next verse to just say you read it. When you study the Word of God, examine it with diligence to understand what He has communicated to the original readers and then what He is communicating to you. Not the other way around. Too often, we read the Word of God and speak out of turn, saying, “This is what this verse means to me…” Instead, we need to know what the verse meant to the original recipients, then we can make the application into our own lives. After making the application, you have to actually do the word too. We look foolish to know what God wants us to do and then not do it. Don’t you look at your kids like they are crazy when you’ve told them a thousand times to do something, and they have not done it yet? How do you think God looks at us? Read, study, and obey God’s Word and watch what you can be in 2023.
This time it’s gonna be different. This time you’re gonna stick with it. This time nothing can get in your way.
2023 – A New Year for a New You
I love you,
Alexander Mills