Philippians 3:13 ”Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”

     Happy New Year! It never ceases to amaze me how fast time goes by. I was driving through my old childhood town the other day and was amazed at how things have changed over the years. Houses and buildings which stood “forever” were now gone and replaced with new and improved structures. New businesses have sprung up and the town is now “busier” than it was when I was a kid. My nostalgia didn’t last very long. I was ready to get out of there and head home.

     A new year before us gives us a chance to reflect on the past and make changes for the future. A Christian should always be in a state of growth, never static. Unfortunately apathy towards spiritual things is very real in our churches today. That is especially true for people that have been saved for awhile. Familiarity breeds apathy. The truth is, God’s Word is so rich and “deep” that no one could ever become too familiar with it. Just as His created universe is impossible to comprehend, so is the depth of His revealed Word. What we need to do is spend more time in it.

     I’ve decided this year to really work on some spiritual resolutions for myself and my family. The more I’ve experienced God’s grace in my life, the more I realize I don’t know Him like I want to. So, if I had to summarize my resolutions under one umbrella heading it would be, “Grow closer to the Lord and know Him better.” All other resolutions will fall under this heading. All other aspects of life begin with how well you know God and how close you are walking with Him. When I ponder this idea, I sadly realize I don’t know Him very well at all. I spend so much of my time with myself instead of Him.

    Here are a few resolutions and guidelines that a Christian might adopt to further his/her walk with the Lord.

• Dedicated Daily Devotions…A disciplined time of Bible study and prayer. The most important time of any Christian’s day.
• Scripture Memorization…Hiding more of God’s Word in your heart
• Starting a prayer journal
• Witnessing to more people and sharing what God has done in your life.
• Being more faithful in church attendance. Maybe this means going to Sunday School or mid-week service.
• Getting more involved in church ministries. God has gifted each Christian to serve in their local church.
• Starting family devotions or family altar.
• Praying more with your spouse.
• Tithing your income. Maybe being more generous with what God has blessed you with.

     That’s a very good foundation for any Christian in this new year. These changes could completely change your whole life. The problem is making a decision and sticking to it. Repetition forms habits. We have to pray that the Lord would help us be faithful in whatever decision we make. These are the resolutions that can affect generations in the future. These are the resolutions that are the most important to not only our lives, but the lives of others.

     I leave you with a quote by George Dana Boardman. “Sow an act…reap a habit; Sow a habit…reap a character; Sow a character…reap a destiny.” Spiritual decisions can indeed reap destinies. May the Lord help you grow closer to Him in 2009. Happy New Year!