It’s almost 2024. The old is gone and the new is come! After the rollercoaster ride of 2023, you may be more than ready to move into a new year. New opportunities, a fresh start – the new year shines before us like freshly fallen snow with no tracks on it. Here are some Christian New Year's resolutions to help you set goals and establish a spiritual tone of the new year for yourself and your family.
“You crown the year with your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance.” – Psalm 65:11 (NIV)
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But first ... before you dive headlong into the landscape of the new year, take a moment to reflect on 2023. God promises to crown the year with goodness, and sometimes it’s up to us to find that goodness. Despite the trials of the past year, what can you thank God for? What areas can you see His blessing, His hand at work in your life or your family? Offer a prayer of thanks so you can move into 2024 with a grateful heart.
Embrace The Opportunity of a Fresh Start with these Christian New Year Resolutions
Now that we've said thanks for the past year... here’s 12 Christian New Year resolutions to help you make the most of 2024!
1. Gain God’s Vision – Set Goals For The New Year
The new year is one of our favorite times of the year. It’s a chance to bring all our hopes, dreams and challenges before the Lord and seek His guidance and input. But doing so doesn't do any good unless we give Him the chance to respond and guide us in the right direction in order to fulfill His will. That's why we must not only set aside a quiet time to come before God with your Bible, a notebook and pen – we must also take the time to listen.
Setting goals for the new year, as Christians, means setting them WITH God, not just for His name sake. Ask God what He wants you to focus on in this new year. Is this the year to start work on your master’s degree? Launch that new business venture you’ve been dreaming about? Consider a new school for your kids? Let God guide you as you make plans and set goals for the new year.
READ ALSO: 17 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT A NEW BEGINNING FOR THE NEW YEAR
Inviting God into our new year resolutions shows Him that we are willing and ready to be His disciples, being guided by His Spirit. Ask God to help your eyes, ears and heart to be open this new year in order to hear His word and feel Him moving you in a certain direction.
2. Find A Bible Reading Plan
Now that you’ve set goals for the new year, you’re going to need God’s wisdom, strength and courage to see it through! If you’ve been struggling to read your Bible, the new year offers a chance to reset and find a Bible reading plan that works with your lifestyle and give you some spiritual discipline. Choose an online Bible app or download an audio Bible you can listen to in the car as you take the kids to school, on the way to work, while on a walk on the treadmill or as you make supper.
God's word is there for us not only to read His story but to strengthen us and give us hope and courage throughout the days of our lives. Reading the Bible daily is a good practice to make sure you always keep God's will and grace in the forefront of your mind. God’s wisdom will bear good fruit in your life all year long.
3. Do Healthy Things
You probably knew this one was coming! Most of us could eat healthier, but instead of feeling like you need to diet or exercise more, consider making an exchange. This for that. A burger on the grill instead of fast food. A walk around the block to re-energize instead of another cup of coffee. Think about options and start replacing unhealthy choices with healthier ones.
Look for things that are not only better for you physically but mentally and spiritually as well. Perhaps that's spending less time on social media in order to make more time to read your Bible, pray or journal. That doesn't mean you have to cut social media out entirely - just exchange half an hour of the time you usually spending scrolling for some quiet time with the Lord.
4. Manage Your Finances Better
The Bible says that what a godly person earns will enhance their life, while the foolish will squander their income. (Proverbs 10:16 NIV) Take stock of your finances and consider ways to grow what God gives you. Don't only try to grow what you already have but look for ways to cut back in spending where you can. God calls us to live humbly and within our means and we can honor God by managing what He gives us fruitfully.
Consider creative ways to increase what God gives you: sign up with a dog service and walk a dog every day. Take old wooden pallets and turn them into DIY headboards to sell, or maybe you have some other artistic talent you can capitalize on. Ask around your neighborhood if anyone needs a babysitter or house sitter.
READ ALSO: NOTABLE CHRISTIAN QUOTES ABOUT STARTING THE NEW YEAR RIGHT
Review your finances from the last year and try to find ways to cut some unneccessary expenses. Maybe you only buy a coffee two days of the week instead of four. Or you bring your lunch to work more days this year than last year. Simple and easy switches or cutbacks can end up amounting to a lot of savings over time!
5. Listen More
We mentioned taking time to listen more to God, but what about our family, friends and community God gave us for our journey? It's also important to take the time to listen better to your spouse or your kids or your friend who’s been texting you that you know you need to get back to. We're also here to be like Jesus to others, and Jesus is the best listener of all.
When you're with your loved ones stop what you’re doing and really listen to their heart. Get down on your child’s level and look into their eyes as they speak. Sit down with your family for a meal instead of setting it before the kids while you wash dishes. Make eye contact. Relax. Listen. Stay present when you're with others and see just how much stronger it makes your relationships. Speaking of ...
6. Build Meaningful Relationships
As you develop better listening skills, take your relationships offline this year. Make a phone call, schedule a face-to-face coffee, take a walk together. Tell your friends about the goals you've set for the year and ask them to become your accountability partner! Choose a family friend you have always wanted to build a deeper relationship with and tell them that you want to spend more time with them in the new year.
This is one of the best New Year resolutions you can make! Counteract the loneliness that’s increasingly prevalent in our society with real interaction. Honor God by loving your neighbor and making meaningful connections everywhere you can. Make 2024 a year of building closer relationships with the people God has put in your life.
7. Expand Your Horizons
Break out of your normal routine and expand your horizons this year! Take a class, learn a new skill, explore your city, serve your community by volunteering at a non-profit. Find a way to broaden your perspectives with new experiences and new people.
This helps us to learn more about the big wide world that God created. We're able to appreciate other people's talents and skillsets when we try to learn new hobbies or activities. Expanding our own horizons helps us appreciate the diversity God created throughout humankind.
8. Memorize Scripture
Rather than rote memorization of scripture, choose the verses that pop out at you in your Bible reading. Take those scriptures and apply them to your life for real transformation. For example, consider our scripture above, “You crown the year with your bounty.” Memorize this Bible verse by turning it into a prayerful declaration. “God, You crown my year with bounty. 2024 is going to be a great year in You!”
9. Become A Praying Person
We all know we should pray more, but most of us wrestle with finding the time. An easy way to become a praying person is to create prayer prompts. Turn your fridge or desk cubicle into a prayer wall with photos of people or even just sticky notes with their names and breathe a prayer every time you open the refrigerator or sit at your desk. An earnest prayer doesn’t have to be long.
10. Make A Difference
The new year is a perfect time to find a new way to serve your community and give back. Find volunteer opportunities and make plans now to volunteer for a cause that is close to your heart. Include your friends or family to make it something that can deepen your relationshuip with a loved one. Making an impact together helps you both grow and form a servant's heart. Plus, you can hold each other accountable for sticking to the commitment!
11. Be Open To New Ideas
The Bible says, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” (Proverbs 18:15 NIV) Another version reads, “Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.” Your new year doesn’t have to be the same as last year. Break the mold and consider a new way of doing things – especially if something’s not working. If you feel stuck or frustrated, seek God for a better way.
12. Develop A Heart Of Worship
Too often we reserve worship for Sunday morning, but God’s presence can calm every storm! Establish God’s peace in your home and the pressures will lift off, the stress fade away. Turn on Christian praise music or choose a faith-centered TV show or movie to watch with your kids. Choose activities that will lift Christ up in your life and God’s peace will drive out the anxiety.
2024 holds so much promise and opportunity! As you prayerfully make your new year resolutions, keep Jesus at the center of your planning.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29 (NIV)
We pray that you enjoyed this list of 12 ways to make a Christian New Year resolution. For more inspiration, be sure to sign up for the Great American Pure Flix Insider email newsletter today!
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