For most Americans, the new year brings hope of change and transformation. People implement new diets and workout routines to change their health or physical appearance. People are invigorated to break bad habits, like smoking, drinking too much, watching too much TV. Some straying Christians use this as an opportunity to return to habitual acts of piety that they have often neglected. They begin to attend services again, start a Bible reading plan, and praying before meals. While I do not have statistics on hand, I am willing to bet that less than 25% of New Year’s resolutions are practiced consistently throughout the year.

The problem with most goals is that we aim too high at first. We try to read the hardest parts of the Bible when we have hardly read the Bible on our own the previous year. We try to go from praying nil to praying nine times a day. It is always best to start small or with something easier in order to establish a rhythm before diving into the hardest spiritual practices. 

Additionally, we have the problem of not consulting those who are more experienced before setting our goals. What Bible reading plan would they recommend for a noob? What steps can I take to develop my prayer life? How do I continue to be faithful in attendance despite a busy schedule and discouragement?

Furthermore, we have no accountability. We never ask a mentor to hold us accountable. If you want an accountability partner, always look for someone who is reliable and experienced in what you are trying to accomplish. Most veteran Christians have completed Bible reading plans and have developed discipline of their own and can help encourage you throughout your journey.

I am praying for this whole congregation that everyone will deepen their walk with God this year and that through their faithfulness and God’s grace, he will transform our lives.

By now, everyone is probably familiar with the name Damar Hamlin. Playing for the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, Hamlin made a fairly routine tackle on Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals. With approximately 6 minutes left in the first quarter, Hamlin stood up, adjusted his helmet, and then collapsed on the field. Speculation is that he suffered commotio cardis, a rare event caused by a blow to the chest wall. Hamlin essentially died on the field, suffering cardiac arrest. He was revived on the field and is being treated at UC Medical Center, a level 1 trauma unit. I share this story now because there are at least three things we have seen after this tragedy: generosity, prayer, and love and compassion.

Hamlin had established a charitable fund to raise money for toys and clothing for a daycare run by his mother. He had a goal of raising $2,500. As of Wednesday, the fund had raised nearly $7 million. We see that there are many people who want to give generously when they see a need.

While the scene on Monday night unfolded, many on TV and social media were saying ‘our thoughts and prayers are with Damar.’ On NFL Live, broadcast on national television, on Tuesday, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky paused and offered a prayer for Damar. It’s a shame that it took a tragedy like this to move someone in the public eye to pray publicly but I applaud Orlovsky for having the faith and courage to do so. In times of tragedy our first option should always be to pray fervently.

Ironically, in a 2021 profile on Hamlin he said, “the way I grew up teaches you to cherish everybody in your life because you never know who you’ll lose. You could lose anybody. Everybody I talk to, I say, ‘I love you.’” Events like this remind us how precious life is and how quickly it can end. From the emotion shown by teammates and opponents on Monday night, to the continued compassion shown by so many, we have seen an outpouring of love for this young man. We are reminded how me must love everyone, always.

Through great tragedy, we fortunately see how great people can be. Through the events of this week we, hopefully, are reminded that we should give generously, pray fervently, love abundantly, and live every day as if it may be our last.

Welcome to 2023! It is only new if you let go of the old. What old thoughts, emotions, and habits must you let go of? In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul coaches us to change into the very image of Christ (:18).

We start by letting our actions (instead of false bragging) flow from God’s letter written on our hearts (:1-3). This will lead us to focus on Christ through praise which will unleash His power (:4-6). When this happens God’s Glory will be evident in our lives. If Moses face illuminated the brightness of God’s glory, imagine how much more we can shine (:7-11; Mt.5:13ff).

Friend, are you willing to receive this glorious power from the Holy Spirit in 2023 (:12-18)? Then let Christ live in you so that He can change you.

From the article above, would you consider making 4 commitments to start 2023?

1. The one thought, emotion, or action I will let go of is _____________.

2. My 1st loving action will be ________________.

3. I commit to praise God by attending all or one assembly per week _________ .

4. I will let God’s light shine through me to the following person ___________.

It’s hard to believe, but 2022 is in the history books. Traditionally with a new year comes a set of resolutions everyone wishes to achieve. As Christians, what resolutions are we looking to accomplish in 2023? While the Bible doesn’t mention setting resolutions, it can guide us on spiritual ones. Below are three resolutions Christians should strive for in 2023.

Daily Bible Reading

Reading the bible daily should be a common practice for us. Yet, many need to catch up on this simple task. I fall short of reading the bible. It is one area in 2023 for me to improve on. Is daily bible reading part of your routine? If not, why not? There are many ways to achieve this, such as partaking in an annual Bible reading plan. This year we all need to focus on reading our Bible more. In the book of Timothy, we see mention of reading the Scripture.

1 Timothy 4:13, ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and teaching.

Praying More

I can remember being a child and praying at night as a family before bed. The older I’ve gotten, this has become a less common thing. Daily prayer is essential and needs to happen all the time. When we pray, we talk to God, allowing us to take all our burdens and troubles to him. There isn’t a predetermined schedule of when we are to pray. In Philippians, we see what praying can do.

Philippians 4:6-7, ⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Bible Study

Studying the Bible is essential. When we study Scripture, it allows us to gain a better understanding of his Word. The book of Matthew mentions that we need to make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. For us to do this, we must have an understanding of the Scripture and what is necessary to baptize someone.

Matthew 28:19, ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

I find life is more enjoyable the simpler I keep things.  I had a boss who once said always use the KISS Method.  I asked what is was and he said “Keep It Simple, Stupid!” In a world of political correctness, this method is less often taught. I feel it should be taught, it makes you realize you can always learn something, and it encourages some humility.  I find it is very effective and valid. This is true whether we are discussing business or life situations.  There is no sense overcomplicating things. They will become complicated enough naturally.  The more you work to keep things simple, the easier it is to absorb and accept complications that show up unexpectedly.  People can be so easily confused in today’s world. Right and wrong or good and evil- are these things really difficult to understand? Somewhere along the way the world has managed to confuse even the simplest of concepts.  I like to keep things simple, and I believe it helps you to be successful and reduce stress in your life.  It also makes it easier to see the vastness of eternity versus the brevity of our time here on Earth. 

Luke 12:15 ESV ¹⁵ And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV ³³ For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Proverbs 15:16 ESV ¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.

2 Corinthians 1:12 ESV ¹² For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

When I consider the verses above, they allow me to gain some clarity and reduce the complexity of things around me.  This focuses me and things become simplified. I gain contentment in my life and in my thinking.

Job was at his wits end. In very short succession he lost everything:

• He LOST HIS ABILITY TO PRODUCE WEALTH. He lost his livestock – around $30 million.

• He LOST HIS LINEAGE AND LEGACY. All his children, 7 sons and 3 daughters, were reported dead.

• He LOST HIS HEALTH.

• He LOST the SUPPORT OF HIS WIFE.

But was it really all that bad? Did he not gain anything? Well, there were his friends – right? Relentlessly they set out to interrogate him with the tenacity of a pack of pit bulls. They gnawed at him with bad theology. You sinned so God is punishing you. Own up, confess up, come clean – that is all God requires.

Job’s loss was our gain. Through his pain we learn that life is not fair, and suffering is inevitable. In the place of his loss, Job leaves beacons of hope that can lead to healing.

*1st beacon is an attitude. Job 1:21–22 (ESV) — ²¹ And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” ²² In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

*2nd beacon is faith. Job 19:25-28 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

*3rd beacon is steadfastness. Job 13:15 (ESV) — ¹⁵ Though he slay me, I will hope in him.

Dear friend – your path is through your pain. But never alone.

What we value controls us. If we value money, whoever gives us money controls us. If we love praise, the opinion of others is what we seek. If we are addicted to drugs, we will do whatever it takes to get those drugs. We are dogs willing to do tricks for a treat.

We all value food, clothing, shelter, and life itself. But the deeper question is how much power do these external things hold over us? Another way to phrase the question- is there something I value more than life itself? As Christians, I hope our answer is “yes.” We should not be willing to compromise our faith and our character for these external goods. We ought to value the opinion of God rather than that of men. Like Jesus and the martyrs, we should be willing to endure physical suffering and pain and death

In order to know if our answer is truly “yes,” we have to think about how our values practically play out in our lives? Have you ever sinned to get ahead in school, work, or life or to avoid consequences? Do you often prioritize your work or “self-care” time over assembling with your spiritual family? If you answered “yes” to these questions, what makes you think that you would take up a cross like Jesus and be crucified with him? You are simply a puppet controlled by your desires and external circumstances. You lack freedom and agency. Thankfully, you can cut loose from these strings and no longer be the world’s marionette. You can choose to surrender your whole life to God one action at a time by choosing to value honor in God’s eyes more than anything the world has to offer.

For encouragement, read Matt 5:10–11; 6:33; 16:24–26; 2 Cor 4:16–18; Hebrews, Philippians, James 1:2–4; 1 Pet 3:8–22.

Outside scripture, read 4 Maccabees and Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (these should be on the public domain on the internet and at the library).

Do you ever feel like Neville is preaching directly to you? Well, it happened to me again as Neville preached about “anger” this past Sunday.

Proverbs 14:29-30 (NIV) “²⁹ A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. ³⁰A heart at peace gives life to the body…”

A quick temper can be like a fire out of control, it can burn us and everyone else in its path. Anger divides people. It pushes us into saying things we don’t really mean; it creates anxiety and causes bitterness in relationships.

Peace is defined as, “a state of calm; freedom from strife or discord; harmony in personal relationships”.

As Kyle mentioned in his prayer, we can never totally avoid strife in the world around us, but with God we can know perfect peace even in chaos.

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” 

As Christians, when we are devoted to Him, our whole attitude should be of “peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control”, not quick temperedness and angriness!

God’s peace is different from the world’s peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, meditation, or in good feelings.

Philippians 4:7 (NLT) “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

It comes from knowing that God is in control. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mercy, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos. Do you want peace and patience? Keep your thoughts on and your trust in God.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”

In the only Psalm Moses wrote, this meek man gives a synopsis of the top four essentials to life [Psalm 90]:

GOD IS SUPREME. SO, FEAR, OBEY, & WORSHIP. ¹ Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. ² Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

LIFE IS SHORT. SO, REFOCUS AND CONSTANTLY BE PREPARED TO DIE. ³ You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” ⁴ For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. ⁵ You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: ⁶ in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers…. ¹⁰ The years of our life are seventy.

SIN IS SERIOUS. SO, CONSTANTLY TURN AWAY FROM IT. ⁸ You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. ⁹ For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

SUCCESS IS ACHIEVABLE. SO, CONSTANTLY ASK GOD FOR FAVOR. ¹⁷ Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Almost every Christmas, I see blog posts and sermons about how Christians should not celebrate Christmas as Christ’s birth. Some say it should not be celebrated because it has roots in paganism, others because it is not actually the day of Christ’s birth. However, possibly the most convincing reason among our brethren is because the Bible never commands us to keep Christmas.

However, the Bible is more lenient on this subject than these reasons let on. In Romans 14, Paul encourages the congregations in Rome not to judge one another for things that are a matter of conscience, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord” (14:5–6a; ESV). Some people were arguing over whether the holidays (or “holy days”) should be kept or if they should just regard all days as the same. He gives them liberty to celebrate holidays if their conscience allows it.

Therefore, we need to do the same thing. We should not bind laws upon our brethren that Christ did not bind himself. If people want to recognize December 25th as a time to celebrate Jesus coming into the world, they are permitted by God. Nevertheless, they need to keep the other commandments of God and make sure that this practice does not impede your relationship with God and others, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31b).

This is a reprint of my article from December 13, 2020 (with some revisions).