Over the course of the next few days millions of people will set personal goals and resolve to make 2010 a better year. Some will determine to shed those extra pounds, others save for retirement, and still more to read more books or finish those lingering projects. However, while those are undoubtedly worthy endeavors the Christian should also keep in mind seven principles that will help to make 2010 a better year spiritually.

1. Demonstrate a commitment to Christ by consciously establishing spiritual priorities.

• Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

2. Display a commitment to the kingdom of God by keeping holy habits or customs. The parents of Jesus had holy habits which were instilled in the Christ child.

• The Parents. Luke 2:27, "And he [Simeon] came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law."
  
  
• The Christ child. Luke 2:42, "And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast."

3. Unless providentially hindered redeem spiritual time by leading others to Sunday School, worship and prayer and let no one keep you from doing what is right including visiting friends, family or neighbors (and we will not even mention sports for then someone might think we have stopped preaching and teaching and gone to meddling).

• Ephesians 5:16, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
  
  
• Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
  
  
• 1 John 2:15-17, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

4. Ask not only WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) but WWTHSD (What Would the Holy Spirit Do?). Offer the Holy Spirit what you consume and ask Him to bless what you say and where you go.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

5. Do not ascribe to people motives they may not have.

• 1 Corinthians 13:5, "Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil."

6. In a given situation, before becoming angry do not purport or claim to know a matter before understanding the situation fully. Most anger will subside when all the facts are known. False rumors will also be dispelled which is good because God HATES them as per Proverbs 6:16-19 because they sow discord among the brethren.

• Proverbs 18:13, "He that answereth [responds to] a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

7. Love the local church of God’s choosing for you by not entertaining thoughts of leaving it unless the same conditions are present which would drive the Lord Himself away. Those conditions are set forth in the seven churches of Revelation 2:1-3:22.

• In the church of Ephesus there was a loss of love for Christ. A congregation really can grow to love other things (Rev. 2: 4-5).

• In the church of Smyrna there was a loss of faith so that the congregation is more characterized as a synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9). Good works became fleshly works. (Buildings, projects)

• In the church of Pergamos there was a movement towards false doctrine (Rev. 2: 14-15, 16).

• In the church of Thyatira. strong willed individuals not called of God were dominating the congregation (Rev. 2: 20, 23). There was an acceptance of the doctrines of Satan by calling wrong, right.

• In the church of Sardis normal Christian ministries were neglected (Rev. 3:2).

• In the church of Philadelphia individuals were turning from the historic faith.

• In the church of Laodiceans there was indifference to worship and Christian living. Spiritual neutrality characterized the congregation. There was no holy passion (Rev. 3:15, 16).