And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3.18).
What a hope! Because the renewing Spirit is transforming us into our Savior’s likeness, each new year affords new opportunities for growth. Some Christians think the annual custom of making New Year’s resolutions is legalistic and doomed to failure. However, I am not so negative. Knowing that God works in me both to will and to act according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2.13) and being confident that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion (Philippians 1.6), I can evaluate my current practices and consider how the Spirit might enable me to set some new or better priorities in the coming year.
When undertaking new steps in reliance on the Lord, the hardest step is often the first one. So, if you can put a few important dates down on your calendar, you are already making progress in getting those things done.
Here are some resolutions you might consider for 2025. No one will want to do all these things or even most of them! These are ideas to stimulate your planning. I’ve come to realize that adding just a few calendar dates can be a big step in the right direction. Sow an action; reap a habit.
- Begin a habit of reading daily through the Bible in a year (or two or three). Check out the many different plans available for free online at Ligonier Ministries or in a Bible app.
- Plan a special one-on-one outing with one or more of your kids or grandkids.
- Put a date on the calendar when you and a friend will recite Bible verses that you are memorizing.
- Invite over a new family or couple from the church and get it on your calendar.
- Set up a time to talk on the phone with an old friend you have lost touch with.
- Make a commitment to give an extra financial gift in 2025 to CPC, your missionaries, or a Gospel-centered cause or school.
- Plan for a week-long “digital” fast and mark it on your calendar.
- Buy tickets to a sporting event, concert, or show. If you can, buy extra tickets so you can invite someone who needs a night out (Let them know ahead of time to avoid a conflict!)
- Call up a hurting person and ask them for the best time to bring over a meal or take them out to eat.
- Plan Sunday School or the evening Praise & Prayer meeting into your Sunday schedule. Give it a good try for several months.
- Pray weekly for a missionary, missions organization, or the evangelization of another country. Especially consider those supported by CPC. Use the helpful book Operation World or their website operationworld.org
- Schedule a date night with your husband or wife for some time in the next six weeks.
- If you have the flexibility, put two solid prayer days on the calendar for 2025.
- Schedule a monthly visit to a different shut-in from CPC.
- Sit once a month with someone new during our Midweek meal at CPC.
- Help with the Fellowship Hall clean-up during Midweek (Emily Calloway is the contact). Cleaning dishes isn’t the most glamorous way to serve, but it is a need!
- Volunteer with the Children’s Ministry since usually it is in persistent need of helpers for the Nursery and Sunday School/Midweek classes.
- Make a list of five individuals whom you love or simply know who do not know Christ as Savior. When will you pray for them regularly?
- Firm up your vacation plans and start saving now. Often, it’s better to spend money on experiences and memories than new stuff.
- Begin an exercise plan.
God’s richest blessings to you in this new year!
Bill Massey, Interim Senior Pastor
