A new year is seen as a fresh start. An opportunity to incorporate new and healthy habits and behaviours into our lives. Common new year’s resolutions are commitments to lose weight, exercise more, save more money and learn a new skill. But the new year is also an opportunity to create new commitments that will improve our spirituality. Who do you want to become this year? Scripture gives us a good idea of who God wants us to become.
Become a prayer warrior
(Ephesians 6:18)
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Live with eternity in mind
(Colossians 3:1,2)
“Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Adopt a healthier lifestyle
(1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Be a peacemaker in a world of conflict
(Colossians 3:15)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
Help someone grow spiritually
(Colossians 3:16)
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Renounce sin
(Colossians 3:5)
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
Put all your trust in God
(Philippians 4:6,7)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Commit to read and meditate on Scripture daily
(Joshua 1:8)
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Trust in God’s will, always
(Jeremiah 29:11)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Aim to glorify God in everything you do
(John 3:30)
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
