Peace of Christ!
So 2013 has begun and you are excited and full of plans! You have so much to do and do not even know where to start, right?
Below I have prepared a short list of five steps to take at the beginning of this year. Take a look!
1 – Organize your wardrobe
Yes, you read that correctly! Organizing your wardrobe seems like a childish task and is considered boring by many. Yet it is very important that we do this, because throughout the year we often put papers, objects, and so on inside it, and they may end up forgotten in that little corner where things vanish! Hahahah. So it is time to tidy up, find forgotten plans and objects, revisit memories of occasions and people through the things we find, and so on!
2 – Check whether your plans conflict with God's plans
It is not worth planning, dreaming, and waiting for something that does not please God and/or is not His will. Many people contradict themselves when they pray to the Lord asking for something that is not in accordance with His will, and then pray saying, “May Your will be done.” Take advantage of the fact that 2013 has only just begun and plan together with the Lord, with your knees on the floor, truly seeking Him. I have no doubt that you will have a much more pleasant journey in His presence!
3 – Begin a Bible reading plan
When it comes to studying the Bible, there are many ways to acquire knowledge, wisdom, and so on. Among them, as I learned from Pastor Paul Washer, it is extremely edifying to read the whole Bible every year! There are several reasons for doing so, and I believe I will soon write a post on this subject. Online you can find various reading plans, with recommended chapters for each day, expository commentaries, and much more. Personally, I do not follow any ready-made plan! Hahah. I do my annual reading through a plan based on prayer and meditation. I pray, read, seek to learn the context in which the book was written, who the author was, the date of that passage, and so on, and then meditate on what I read. Yes, it is a lot of work and may take a little more than a year to finish, but I still glorify God because the result has been wonderful!
4 – Use a notebook while reading the Bible
For those who are not used to it, this may seem strange! Yet it is a healthy habit to cultivate, and if you have never read the entire Bible you will have many questions along the way. With those doubts will come many questions to which you will not find immediate answers. So, as you read and questions arise, I recommend writing down the question and the passage in your notebook or notepad, so that you can continue reading at that moment and not forget the question later. Then, even if you do not seek the answer from your pastor, Sunday school teachers, the internet, or biblical commentaries, the second time you read the Word something “magical” will happen! Many of your questions will be answered by you yourself! Oh, glory! Hard to believe? Then try it! With dedication to learning and reading the Word, God provides us with incredible moments! When I heard this I did not believe it either, and when I saw that it worked I jumped, praised, smiled, and glorified the Lord!
5 – Dedicate some time to your family
Last but not least! This item belongs among those things that seem simple and obvious but are rarely carried out, and I say this from my own experience. We are often so busy with college, work, ministry, several favorite films or series piling up, or friendships, that we end up failing to appreciate those moments with our family. Every day, not only does the amount of information available to everyone grow, but so do the world's demands that we keep up with it. As a result, time passes and we have done so many things that it amounts to having done nothing! So, if you can, get up now and go kiss and hug your mother, father, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters! Tell them you love them! Think of an activity they love and make an effort to do it with them this time! Perhaps some of them will not be with you for many more years in this world. Make the most of it!
May God bless you!
Wishing you success!
João Victor