The advent of January generally puts new wind under our sails. We wipe the sweat off our brow from the travails of the previous year, and we set high hopes for the new year. This is evidenced by the annual establishment of resolutions, many of which we simply pull out of storage and dust off. They are familiar faces, halfway between friends and foes. We love the concept of them, though each year we fail in the execution.

“The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a genius, but it doesn’t take a genius to recognize this. But it does take a wise man to heed it. So what each of us needs in 2014 is a God-sized portion of wisdom. And I know just the source: the Bible, the ultimate book of wisdom. That’s your starting place for establishing your to-do list for 2014.

First, identify areas of your life that need to align with God’s will.  Maybe you’ve made a mess of your finances, neglected your health, or have never really gotten serious about your relationship with the Lord. All of these things are important to God. 

“If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” – John 14:14

Asking in Jesus’ name means praying according to His will. His will is for you to be a good steward of your money (Luke 12:42-48) and your body  (1 Corinthians 6:19), with your relationship with Him taking precedence over all (Matthew 6:33). 

Perhaps my favorite hymn (a woefully undersung one, if you ask me) is “Be Thou My Vision.” Let His word be a lamp unto your feet and a light onto your path (Proverbs 119:105) with the Holy Spirit as your guide (John 16:13). 

Then commit your plans to the Lord. Give them to Him, and don’t take them back.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3

Next, set reasonable goals.  Goals matter because . . .

“Without vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18

Without goals, we cannot have measurable success. However, when we set unreasonable goals (e.g. “I will read through the entire Bible in six months and pray one hour a day”), we set ourselves up for failure. It’s better to set a smaller, more achievable goal that you can eventually surpass than a monumental one so tall it casts a shadow over any hope of success.

Believe He will see you through it. We’ve already established that He will bless plans that are in accordance with His will. Trust Him for the outcome.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6

Quitters don’t win, and winners don’t quit.  The enemy will attack you when you remain within God’s will; that much is certain. But . . . 

“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

and remember. . . 

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36

My 2014 goal: a more vibrant prayer life. What’s yours?