A new year opens the door for new resolutions and goals to be set and carried out. These goals can be uniquely chosen for a specific individual, but as Christians there are resolutions we all can be more mindful to take part in throughout this new year. Partner with fellow believers to help you stay accountable to these aspirations and invite the Lord to help enable you to stay on track and not become distracted.
1. Meditating on God's Word
God has graciously given us His Word to not just read but to dwell in, absorb, and cherish. Many studies will help you to stay on track to read the entire Bible in a year, but remember it is about knowing Him better, not finishing just to check off a box on your to-do list. Consider the words of Psalm 1:2-3: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
When you find your delight, safe haven, and mind set on meditating on God's Word, even if it is but a verse a day, know that it holds value. The Lord often speaks through His Word; through it, you will be reminded again and again of Who He is and of His faithfulness.
2. Time Spent Alone with God
2. Time Spent Alone with God
Life gets busy, that is an unavoidable fact of life, but there can always be time made for the right things. Ask the Lord to help you find a specific time of day or adjust make time that you hold for God. Be very mindful to not let this time of communing with the Lord to be sullied by passing thoughts or distractions, but rather take a deep breath and give Him your full attention. Even if it is just a few minutes a day, know that those moments are the most important of your entire day. Our time alone with God is where we can listen for His voice, rest in His presence, and connect with Him intentionally.
3. Doing a Check on Media Content Consumption
3. Doing a Check on Media Content Consumption
A new year is a great time to check up on the specific media you are consuming. Remember that your eyes and your ears are the doors to your mind. Matthew 6:22-24 shares, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness."
We may not even realize it because we have become too desensitized to what we watch, listen to, or take part in, but it may have a deeper impact on our perspectives than we realize. For example, if you listen to music that is full of perverse language, you may find yourself using words that are not appropriate without thinking twice. Additionally, if you watch television content with a large amount of promiscuity, you will not feel as alert in your own life to not fall into lust. Ask yourself if the content you are giving your attention to is full of truth, beauty, or goodness. If it is not, it may be a time to reassess what you are granting permission to in your own life so that you don't fall into the trap of letting sin take a foothold.
4. Inviting God into ALL Daily Life
4. Inviting God into ALL Daily Life
God does not desire to just be a part of your life, but for Him to be your whole life. When we enter a relationship with God, it is not like a relationship with a human being; humans cannot and will not fill all that you need. Only the Lord can do that, so when we live a life truly submitted and surrendered to Him, we see that He is not just a part, but He is the whole of life. Galatians 5:25 paints it as, "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."
God has given us His Holy Spirit to abide within us, to give us truth, and to give us direction for every element of our lives. Even when it does not make sense with human logic, we ought to follow His lead and obey what God is saying. Invite the Lord into all your daily life, from careers to relationships and beyond. He is worthy of our trust.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Anna Frank
5. Doing a Heart Check on Unforgiveness
5. Doing a Heart Check on Unforgiveness
Did you know that holding unforgiveness towards another person keeps you at a distance from God? Not only that, but it allows the Enemy to sneak in and to build in you a bitter state in your very life. Mark 11:25-26 is where Jesus explains, "Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." This can be a very hard thing to do, especially when another person has very wrongly hurt you. Remember that you are not alone in navigating unforgiveness, we can call upon the Lord to help us. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
When we give God our weakness, struggles, and fear of what it would mean to forgive someone, we are met with His supernatural power to help us accomplish this task. It may not be overnight, but keep bringing it to the Lord and ask Him to help you forgive those you need to forgive.
Related:
5 Ways to Move Forward When Someone Won’t Forgive You
How to Forgive When Your Offender Is Not Sorry
6. Praying Ephesians 6 Armor Daily
6. Praying Ephesians 6 Armor Daily
Something to not just set as a New Year's Resolution, but as a daily practice is to arm yourself with the Ephesians 6 armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18 details the armor: "Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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."
Make it a daily habit, not just an occasional line of defense, to pray this armor over yourself as you get ready for the day. Remember that the Enemy is often crafty, he seeks to trip you up in ways that you do not even realize, but in praying this powerful armor you can have heavenly protection all around you. Ask the Lord to lead you each day in these specific aspects of the armor and to teach your heart what they each mean so that you may testify to others how powerful these verses truly are in application.
Photo credit: ©Getty/pcess609
7. Leaning Not on Your Own Understanding
7. Leaning Not on Your Own Understanding
Finally, make the resolution to not lean on your own understanding. We live in a world where what we can see, touch, and feel defines our choices, our logic, and our trust ultimately. Proverbs 3:5-6 shifts the mindset in offering, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
We may not understand the why behind the asks or ways of God, but He knows what is necessary to ultimately bring you to where you are supposed to be. Trust Him and take Him at His Word, even in moments where it feels so countercultural, so outside of our logic, and so against the grain of this world. Know He is worthy of our trust and worthy of our obedience.
Originally published December 19, 2024.
