These 10 New Years’ Resolutions for Christians are very simple, but not necessarily easy. Anyone can accomplish them, but most won’t want to put in the work necessary. Perhaps you will find ones on this list that you disagree with. That’s ok! Just give it a fair read and an honest thought and study of Scripture, ok?
10 New Years Resolutions for Christians in 2024
1. Be a peacemaker.
Matthew 5:9 It is so easy to get worked up about things; world politics, community politics, people who wrong us, family drama, church drama, etc. But resolve to be the one who brings peace. Don’t spread the rumors, don’t listen to the stories, don’t join the clique. Be the one who initiates peace and unity.
2. Go to Church Regularly.
Hebrews 10:24-25 speaks of gathering together to “spur each other on to good works”. This can be anywhere, of course, but where do we normally, freely, urge each other to be more Christlike, more loving, and do more good works? Generally these conversations take place at church.
I also am a firm believer in teaching our kids to set aside a day (a few hours, really) every week where we stop our frantic rush and just worship and fellowship with our Saviour and other believers. I want to see crying babies, rowdy toddlers, elderly people, tired moms, stressed dads, anxious young professionals — everyone! Let’s all come together once a week and just set aside our life for a second to be reminded of His. Let’s sing at the top of our lungs and pray with each other. Let’s hear the preached Word and hug each other and be reminded that we aren’t the only ones fighting this battle against sin and self.
I know the arguments about churches. I have experienced them. There are pastors and former church friends who block me on social media and won’t speak to me. It was hurtful. It was unfair. But There are more churches, just pick another and keep going. Make the decision that you and your family will go every Sunday this year.
3. Read the Bible Daily
Psalm 119:11, Psalm 1:2 Hiding God’s Word in our heart and meditating on it all day is Biblical practice, yet we read so little! Popular verses and promises such as “God is with her, she will not fail” are easy to read but often taken out of context. Besides that, when we quick read a verse or two to calm our conscience. we miss out on a deeper relationship with Jesus! He is our Redeemer, our Savior, and our Lord. Yet we rarely take the time to really know Him.
I am old enough to say I used to write snail mail to my boyfriend before I was married. Every few days I got a letter in the mail from him. Oh, how I pored over those letters! I read and reread them, not wanting to miss a turn of a sentence, or a word that might help me get to know him better! Make it a practice this year to read and meditate on God’s Word every day. Spend 30 minutes. It will change your life. I have been getting up early for most of my life to read 1-2 chapters a day, and I will tell you that there is nothing that has influenced my life more than that one practice. I do not say this to sound spiritual, far from it! But only that it has helped me so very much!
4. Find ways to serve others
If you are a parent or a spouse, you have the opportunity daily to serve your family. But it up to you if you do it lovingly without grudging or not. If you are a young person who still lives with others – roommates, family, friends – then you to, have built-in opportunities to serve others daily. There are few people who live such isolated lives that they can’t find someone to serve. If you do live alone and work alone, then find somewhere to volunteer – church, work, interest groups, hospital, soup kitchen, etc. Go beyond what is expected, really look for ways to serve. Find something extra to do for others this year. Whether that’s a project, a weekly service opportunity, or a daily dedication to serving your family with cheerfulness. Do all things as unto the Lord.
5. Be an encourager.
Oh how discouraging our world can be! Especially as Christians, we face backlash and hatred on every hand. Nearly every workplace can become a minefield for a devout believer. They don’t understand or support our way of life. Because of this, I beg you to make it your ambition to be an encourager! Encourage everyone, but especially the other believers!
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:3-5
6. Start a gratefulness journal.
Start a gratefulness journal. I have had my share of trials in life, but one thing that always, always works to lift my spirits is to start naming things for which I am thankful. Not just speaking them into space – but actually thanking God. “Thank You for this soft, cozy bed” is a frequent gratefulness of mine. “thank you for friends who love me” is one way I remind myself that I am not alone. That people do care about me. Especially during times of depression and sadness. If I start thinking about all my friends, I am so grateful for the friends who have stuck with me through uncomfortable times, when it would have been easier for them to leave.
7. Post only positive things on social media
I love social media, but it can be a trap. It also took me far too many years to realize that I was being foolish by arguing online. A few years ago I resolved to only share positive things. To share funny or encouraging things. Things to make people laugh or feel good. Because life is hard enough without me sharing every depressing statistic or every horrific world update. They will get that quickly enough. I want to be a gentle, happy presence. Of course, I share sad news about friends, at times. GoFubdMe’s etc, but I generally try to share only helpful things.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
8. Pray every day
I will be the first to admit that I don’t pray as much as I want to or should. I want to, but it is a difficult practice for me, as I believe it can be for many Christians. I talk to God throughout the day whenever I think about it, but setting aside regular prayer time is hard. I think this must be because prayer is SO important, that Satan tries every which way to distract us. It seems that the most important things in life are hard to nail down. Maybe that’s just me… I want to pray more. Maybe I will start a prayer notebook – just lists of prayer needs and then record answers and such, I used to do that some, but it fell by the wayside.
9. Be Hospitable
So many lonely people in our isolated world. In an age of social media and instant shipping and everything-delivered, we crave community more than ever. Yet, we are all waiting on someone else to initiate it. Worse, when they do, we reject it because it feels uncomfortable. We are so averse to getting out of our comfort bubble, that we make up excuses to say no to friends who invite us. We want deep friendships, we long for true connection, for people we can depend on who will be with us through thick and thin, yet we refuse to do the work.
Be the one. Determine that this year YOU will be the person who invites. If you can’t invite, then suggest and at the very least, attend. Someone invites you? Say yes. Don’t back out. Show up. Be uncomfortable. Negative feelings are actually not a bad thing. Work through them – they will make you more resilient and capable. Keep it simple. Have a soup night, or tacos, or backyard hotdogs. Meet at a park. Go out for coffee. Just show up. Get out the door.
10. Be humble.
1 Peter 5:5 Humility is such a tricky thing, isn’t it? The thing I like to remind myself of, is that other people’s opinion is worthless to me. Only what God thinks of me, matters! Whether others think we are good, or whether they think we are bad – throw it into the trash! I only consider whether God is pleased with me.
“Do not desire to be the principal man in the church. Be lowly. Be humble. The best man in the church is the man who is willing to be a doormat for all to wipe their boots on, the brother who does not mind what happens to him at all, so long as God is glorified.” Charles Spurgeon
I hope this list of New Year’s resolutions for Christians has prodded your mind to think of what is truly important, what needs to come first in our lives. It surely has given me a lot to think about, as I looked up verses and reflected on these things. May God bless your new year, and may your life reflect His, in every way.
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