How Can I Make the Best of This Year?
Perhaps the most common aspect of New Year’s resolutions is that they are usually broken. I do not want to give you a list of resolutions that require signatures in blood. Since our mentality is such that the change of year is often a time of re-evaluation, please allow me to give you some suggestions on making this coming year the best ever.
I. Determine that you will have daily devotions.
Failure in this area is not usually because of a lack of dedication. So often what happens is we make goals for our personal devotions that are too difficult at first. The Apostle Paul explained that we go from the milk of the Word to the meat. Make a commitment that you are sure you will keep. Before you promise God hours, how about minutes? It is better to have some time with God every day than giving a great portion of time one day to the neglect of any time on the following day.
II. Live one day at a time.
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). Since our Lord doesn’t promise us a tomorrow, why not take life daily? Perhaps this is why Paul said, “. . . I die daily” (I Corinthians 15:31).
III. Quit looking back.
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Remember the Devil is a master at taking our past sins and failures and making our future useless. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow is a clean white page. Let us go on (Hebrews 6:1)!
IV. Make up your mind to be faithful to church.
I like what Dr. Lee Roberson has said over the years concerning church attendance, “Three to thrive!” In other words, be at the services Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. Be here whenever the doors are open (Hebrews 10:25)!
V. Edify people.
God’s Word says in I Thessalonians 5:11, “. . . edify one another. . . .” The Greek word for edify is oikodome; this denotes the act of building. (Oikos means “a house” and dome, “to build.”) When we speak to people, our words should build people up. Try to say something nice to someone every day. If you love somebody, tell them.
VI. Seek wholesome entertainment.
There is a verse we were taught while growing up that served as the criteria concerning all that we did. Think about this verse before you engage in anything. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). Simply ask yourself, “Can I do what I’m about to do for the glory of God?” Then proceed accordingly.
VII. Develop the mind of Christ.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). “. . . consider him. . . .” (Hebrews 12:3). Focus your thoughts on Christ. “. . . lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:3).
- Pastor Pope -