New Year’s Spiritual Goals

I am a big fan of J.C. Ryle. I have read his classic work title Holiness and I’m nearly finished with Practical Religion. Here are some goals I want to make in my life. Many thanks to Bishop Ryle for putting them in a very doable list.

  • “Walk more closely with God, get nearer to Christ and seek to exchange hope for assurance.”
  • “Seek to feel the witness of the Spirit more closely and distinctly every year.”
  • “Lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets me.”
  • “Press towards the mark more earnestly.”
  • “Fight a better fight, and war a better warfare every year I live.”
  • “Pray more.”
  • “Read more.”
  • “Mortify self more.”
  • “Love the brethren more.”

“Oh that I may endeavor so to grow in grace every year, that my last things may be far more than my first, and the end of my Christian course far better than the beginning.” J.C. Ryle

 

 

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Looking Back

“The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

I have been following a particular blog written by Elisabeth Klein for well over a year now. This end-of-the-year topic of looking back and contemplating the year’s happenings in my own life by answering probing questions has helped me to set goals and see where the Lord has taken me. So much of my own plans have gone the way of the wind but I am so thankful for my Lord who loves me enough to lift me beyond my plans and goals and not let me wallow in my sin for any longer than necessary to teach me what He wants me to learn.

I pray for myself that I would find some quiet place with my Bible and a notebook and honestly answer these questions. My prayer for you is that you also can grow closer to Him in the coming year.

“I have been asking myself some of these questions at the end of every year for almost twenty years now. It’s a wonderful way to take in with gratitude all that’s happened and to prepare your heart for the year that’s coming. (I wish I could say I came up with them on my own; however, I’ve gathered them over so many years the sources have blurred.)

Who were the most stimulating people in your life (and why)?

What was your most meaningful spiritual experience?

What were your most significant family moments?

What was the biggest contributor to your personal growth?

What was the biggest blunder you committed?

What caused your greatest sadness? What was your greatest joy?

How is my heart toward God?

What’s going well? What can you celebrate?

What are you trying to ignore?

What’s boring you? How do you want to be remembered? What’s the ending you want to write for your life?

Who do you love?

So, what’s next?

Enjoy some time alone with God over the next few days thinking through your responses, and pray.”

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Where is my trust?

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is in the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of draught nor cease to yield fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8

Where have I placed my trust? Not only is my trust in the Lord but my trust is the Lord. What is my reward? The comfort of knowing that my strength in the Lord is as a mature tree, green and fruitful; confident that without any fear when lean times come, He will take care of me.

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Welcome!

Thank you for heading down the road to my home. Please sit down and let us enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a homemade goodie. Allow us time to ponder the things of the Lord and life together; and let us discuss these things across my table.

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