Well, it’s the new year and time for resolutions. Bummer. You see, I have a very bad record of keeping resolutions. I’ve tried to eat better, exercise more, and generally be more disciplined, only to fall off the wagon within a few weeks. I’ve often wondered what kind of super-human beings can stay on track with their lifestyle changes for more than 6 months. Some of you may be such creatures. You have my utmost respect. For most of us, however, it’s a real challenge.

I’d venture to say most resolutions are diet and exercise related. We may decide to give up sugar, lose weight, join a gym, or drink water instead of soda. Or perhaps we desire a more focused and organized life, so we commit to reduce our phone time, give up social media, reduce clutter in our home, minimize our TV viewing, or read more books.

These ideas are all good. They can help us lead a more healthy and productive life, and in some cases, give us more time for things like prayer and reading the Word. But have you considered incorporating a few distinctly spiritual goals this year?

Here are some suggestions:

• Spend 20-30 minutes in the Word each day.
• Read through the entire Bible this year.
• Attend a Bible study in your community or at your church.
• Join a local Bible preaching church and get involved.
• Volunteer once a week or once a month with an organization that helps the less fortunate.
• Initiate a daily prayer time with your spouse.
• Mentor someone new to the faith.
• Post a “Verse of the Month” in your home on which to focus on as a family.
• Forgive someone you’ve held a grudge against and purpose to forgive all offenses this year—banish unforgiveness from your life.
• Share the gospel with 5 people.

Join me in focusing on spiritual growth and obedience to the Word of God this year. Grow closer to God with me. Get to know Him through Bible reading, focused Bible study, and prayer. Become engaged in Kingdom work by using your gifts and walking through the doors that God opens for you as you follow his lead. Decide this year to serve, give, and grow.

Of course, the most important thing you can do this year to change your life is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and make Him Lord of your life if you have not done so. It will not only change your today, but it will also forever alter your tomorrow, as you secure a place in the family of God for eternity.

As we consider our New Year’s resolutions, we must always remember that the condition of our inner selves is exceedingly more important than the way we look on the outside. Let’s place our focus inward this year and come alive in 2025!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5: 17 (ESV)

“But that is not the way you learned Christ—assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4: 20-24 (ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (ESV)