Determine How You will Grow This Year

Whatever happens in 2021, God is still on the throne, and believers are in his hands. Therefore, we will stand firm.

Because of, or despite, whatever may happen in the coming year, is there one way you would take control of your life and grow in your character or faith? Romans 8:28 says that “In all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.”

But don’t just wait for God to do something good—be part of making it happen. In the Bible every person God called had to get out and be part of what God was doing.

What are you ready for and willing to commit to? This is more than a New Year’s resolution. It’s seeking God’s guidance and grace for growth. Then it’s committing yourself to prayer for that and agreeing with your prayer by taking some kind of regular action.

Like me, you may count many unattained goals in your life. I have learned that connecting our intent to daily habits or regular practices is the critical component for any hope or goal to be fulfilled.

If we hope to attain anything or grow in character or faith, we must tie that desire to regular practices by which that growth naturally comes about. Intentions become reality through what we do to get there. And I encourage you to do that by the leading and ongoing grace of God.

Consider the Annual Growth Commitment. It’s a commitment to grow in a particular area of your personal character by the habit of
1. Committing it to daily or frequent prayer.
2. Doing your practical part in agreement with that prayer.

I’ve been doing it since 1986, and over time it has transformed me. Ask my wife.

On the menu bar above, click “Online Library.”  Then under “Live by God’s Word and Spirit,” you’ll find a half-dozen items. Among them is a PDF that explains the Annual Growth Commitment and includes cards to cut out if you so desire.  Or just click here:  Your Annual Growth Commitment.

The agreement between prayer and personal habits, in alignment with God’s Word and Spirit, can gradually become an unstoppable force.

May you personally experience that in 2021.