The last time I remember writing a New Years post was 2020. I was in nursing school. I was feeling so optimistic about so many things. And then……..Covid!

Four years later it’s a brave new world of engaging with the public and living a relatively normal life. And I’m asking myself, how will I live in 2024. What will I do? What will I prioritize? I can’t speak for everyone but I have been thinking about the New Year for 2-3 months. I have several areas in which I hope to improve this year. Physically, I would like to loose weight and get stronger. Spiritually, I would like to grow in bible reading, prayer and theological understanding via study and reading Christian materials. Financially I would like to continue growing in my giving and earning. I want all of this to happen via biblically driven, spirit-filled knowledge and wisdom.

There are many ways to practically pursue all of these goals. It is easy to over spiritualize and become paralyzed by a fear of somehow missing or disappointing God. So how do you explore and pursue new beginnings with God in mind without overcomplicating it or making decisions that are not in line with scripture? You have to live a life true to the word.

Biblical Wisdom and Knowledge

In Proverbs 2:6 the bible says “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” 

James 1:5 states, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it twill be given to you.”

Proverbs 1:7 states, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

We are clearly encouraged that wisdom and knowledge come from the Lord and that we should ask for it. But they begin with a proper fear (reverence) for Him.

Hosea 4:6 states, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.”

While this originally referred to the Israelites perishing eternally because of their lack of knowledge of God, the argument has been made that this could apply to a lack of spiritual growth and flourishing in the Lord as well.

Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” John 17:17

So we know that God wants to bless us with wisdom and knowledge and that we are sanctified (made Holy) by the truth of God’s word.

The Holy Spirit is called our Helper and teacher

John 14:25-26, These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

What if it isn’t clearly stated in God’s word?

The common wisdom on this question is that, as long it lines up with the clear instructions and principles laid out in scripture, you have the freedom to make many decisions that aren’t spelled out in scripture.

For instance, the bible doesn’t tell you who to marry, but it does tell you, you should marry a believer. The bible doesn’t tell you what kind of job to take but it does prohibit abortion, so working at an abortion clinic is not supported by scripture.

With these concepts in mind, I know that I can utilize the word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make and support decisions for the new year.

Application

I may write more specifically to my goals this year concerning the application of scripture and Godly wisdom to physical, spiritual and financial health but for brevity’s sake I will just say this….

Read

Read daily in the scriptures. Any reading is better than none, but a plan that organizes it and helps us stay on course is ideal, otherwise most of us will not be consistent. There are many good bible reading plans of various designs and length. Here are a couple of popular examples.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/mcheyne-bible-reading-plan/

https://www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans

Scripture memory is important as well. For this I always recommend the Fighter Verses material. all materials and a link to the app can be found here.

https://www.fighterverses.com/

Pray

There are multitudinous resources out there on prayer. I will probably write on this later but a very basic layout for prayer is called ACTS.

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

If you don’t know what they mean it is easy enough to look them up. While we are called to pray continually,

“pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This basic form of prayer will help you pray thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Physical well-being

There are a couple of passages that come to mind regarding the stewardship of our bodies.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Yes this is addressing sexual sin specifically, but it can have a broader application to our responsibility to take care of ourselves so we can be effective for Christian work.

“for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This passage emphasizes spiritual exercise and health over physical, but in it Paul does state that physical health is of some importance. if we won’t o be effective for the kingdom, both physical and spiritual aspects of our life must be considered.

Finances

While the debate over tithing definitely exists in the church today, there is NO debate regarding giving and generosity.

Some argue whether OT teachings on tithing continue into the NT. I fall on the side that they do. I believe that nothing in the NY redefined tithing or suggested it shouldn’t happen. I do believe however that Jesus and the rest of the NT emphasizes the heart behind giving over the amount.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This passage suggests that there is a link between giving and blessing (i.e. sowing and reaping) however, God wants whatever we give to be done purposefully and with a cheerful heart.

So while I tend to agree with those who suggest that tithing (10%) is a minimum for giving as a rule, many if those same people would argue it is much more important to give something purposefully and joyfully than to give nothing at all.

So if things are tight, give what you can and work toward growing the amount. If you have plenty to work with, give the tithe as a minimum and then give above and beyond that to various other offerings, support of other ministries or concepts that support those in need.

The promise exists that God’s blessing follows generous, obedient giving. He wants us to give and he wants us to be blessed. He does not promise the form of that blessing but he does promise blessing for obedience. But if we do not obey God in giving, His protection is not promised in the same way or to the same degree.

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.” ‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Finally

As we begin this NY we know for certain that God’s word supports New Beginnings and the pursuit of growth in spiritual, physical and financial areas of life. He wants us to be blessed in these areas that we might be a blessing to others and further the work of the kingdom.

Always, as Christians, we must keep an eternal mindset and remember that we are to work hard at our faith and at Christian living. Yet, never forget it is by the grace that God supplies that we are able to do this at all. 1 Peter 4:11.

Last but not least:

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

May it be so in 2024.

Love in Christ,

Josh