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In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
As we begin a brand new year, many of us will make new commitments to better our lives. We will promise to hit the gym three times a week, read ten books, spend more time with our family, or reduce our debt by making larger payments. And on it goes with resolutions we hope will lead to a stronger, more vibrant life.
And while these goals prove worthwhile, many of us fail to set new promises with the goal of bettering our spiritual life. Perhaps some of us don’t see the value of the various spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading the Bible, acts of service, sacrificial giving, to name a few. These disciplines may seem unnecessary for our jam-packed schedules.
And yes, it’s true. Spiritual disciplines take time out of our schedules. They require us to intentionally integrate them into our routines. Bottom line: they take hard work, commitment, and perseverance.
So, are spiritual disciplines worth it? Should we engraft them into our list of New Year’s resolutions? Will they make our lives better?
Although these are valid questions, may I suggest we approach these questions from a different perspective? Perhaps we can ask ourselves these questions: Can I survive this new year without God’s help? When difficulty comes, will I have the spiritual wisdom to handle it? Does my life have eternal meaning and purpose? If we answered no to any of these, then yes, we must create new spiritual goals for this new year. The following are five suggestions to help us get started.
Who is God?
If you need a refresher on who God is, consider reading and reflecting upon these passages from the Bible.
- God the Father: Gen 1, Mt 28, Jude 1; Deut 6; Jn 17
- God the Son: Isa 7, 9; Phil 2; Jn 1, 3, 14; Col 2; Heb 4; 2 Cor 5; 1 Cor 15; Eph 2
- God the Spirit: Acts 5; Rom 8, 12; 1 Cor 6; 1 Jn 3; Eph 5
Who is man?
To better understand who man is, consider these verses.
- Man as the image of God: Gen 1; Psa 139; 1 Thess 5
- Man as fallen: Gen 3; Rom 1, 3, 6; 1 Cor 15; Psa 51; Prov 20; 1 Jn 1
- Man as a Christ-follower: Rom 8; Gal 5; 2 Thess 2; Jas 2; 1 Thess 5; 1 Cor 14
How can I be a better spouse?
To relate better with our spouse, consider these Bible passages.
- Conflict management: Mt 5
- Sexual intimacy: Song of Songs
- Role of husband: Eph 5; Gal 5
- Role of wife: Prov 31; Eph 5
What is prayer?
For a refresher on what prayer is and how to do it, consider these verses.
- Prayer as thanksgiving: Psa 8; Mt 6
- Prayer as petition: Psa 5; 1 Thess 5
- Prayer as lament: Psa 22
What is the Bible?
To learn about the importance of Bible study, here are some helpful verses.
- Bible as God’s Word: Jn 1; Psa 119
- Bible as transformative: 2 Tim 3; Rm 12; Jn 17
Because spiritual disciplines take time, let’s keep at it and not give up. When we slip back into our old routines, let’s not get discouraged. Let’s focus on one day at a time and commit to bettering our spiritual life this new year. And when difficulty comes, know He is there with us helping us to become more like His Son.


