Hooray! It’s a start of another year and we all have great plans to accomplish. For business people, we have all our yearly goals and strategic plans lined up and ready to be executed. For those university, collage, secondary, primary, and preschool students on their final year, great and successful plans are ahead and we can’t wait to say those two words ‘’Finally done’. I just pray that this year turns out to be a blessing to all of us.

In the midst of all these plans and excitements, Lets be reminded of the most important things that really matter to our personal relationship with God, because there is no greater planning than that which involves God. We have plans to develop our careers, businesses, personalities and so on, but let us not forget a plan that will help strength our relationship with our heavenly father.

As the bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘’ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight’’

Proverbs 16:3 ‘’ Commit to the lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.'' 

Psalm 37:5-6 ‘’Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the nooday sun.''

Proverbs 3:9-10 ‘’Honour the Lord with all your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops: then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine’’

Beside your other plans, have a plan that will help you develop a stronger relationships with God this year; make it a year to draw yourself closer to Christ. So, to help you with that, I have come up with the top best practical suggestions for Christ like living in 2018

Read God’s Word Daily: Plan to read the word of God daily to nourish your soul. The Bible is essential for knowing God and His will for our lives on a daily basis. The Bible gives us instruction, exhortation, encouragement, correction, comfort and perspective. We need to diligently study His Word so that we acquire an accurate understanding of it and then faithfully act upon the truth (2 Timothy 2:15). It is through the regular, personal intake of the Bible that we come to know God better, understand His will for our lives, experience God's transforming.

 (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Timothy 4:13, 1 Peter 2:2, John 1:1, Psalm 1:2, Matthew 24:35)

Pray Daily: For followers of Jesus Christ prayer is the best way to communicate with God. Make your days count with prayers, have time to walk and talk to God daily, and take the time to listen to what he has to say. Thank God for giving you eternal life and His Word. Ask Him to teach and guide you so that you will become even more faithful in following Him. Jesus set an example of daily prayer by praying during all kinds of circumstances, and therefore as living Christians we should learn to do the same. He taught us the importance of daily prayer. He said, “Always pray, never lose heart” (Luke 18:1). He also said to converse with God day and night (Luke 18:7). Talking to God daily helps us strengthen our relationship to him, pour out your heart to him, praise him, sing to him, bring him your requests. And learn to listen to his voice in your heart.

(Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6, Luke 5:16, Jeremiah 33:3, James 4:8)

Fellowship: Connect with other believers because the family of God protects us from spiritual degeneration. Biblical unity is strength, and continued gatherings beget and foster love and give good opportunities to stimulate or provoke one another to good deeds. Those who believe the gospel are united in the Spirit through Christ to the Father, and that unity is the basis of fellowship. Going to church should no longer a bothersome duty, but a happy occasion when we meet with God and His people. As Christians worship and serve together, they experience true fellowship and help from God, and complement each other in church’s various ministries.

(Psalm 55:14, Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:7, Hebrews 13:16, 1 John 1:3, Ephesians 5:19)

Getting Involved: You as a Christian have a massive potential to make a difference in your neighbourhood, Get involved! With the talents and abilities God has given you, help to live out the life of the gospel in your neighbourhood, at work, and in the church. Share your gifts with others. Let your home, your possessions, your time and your strength demonstrate the love of God. Churches and Christians get involved in the community to better represent Jesus, and to make His name known. Don’t only experience and talk about God’s love; as his children they help those people in need and distress.

(1 Peter 4:10, Hebrews 6:10, Matthew 20:27-28, Acts 26:6-7, Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 1:12, Romans 12:1, 1 Samuel 12:24, John 12:26, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Mark 10:45, Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Share the Gospel: God has entrusted us with the responsibility of being His ambassadors, and we are born again to live and declare the wonders of God. One of the best ways to share your faith is to live a godly life. Being redeemed also means that you will have a desire for others to come to Christ. Every spiritually healthy Christian will be motivated to win as many people to the Lord as possible. Let others feel and see the change that God’s power has made in your life. Confess to your neighbours and friends the message of redemption through Jesus Christ. As Christians we must not be afraid to open our mouths and share the gospel. We need to be God’s workers on earth and help bring people to the truth. 

(Isaiah 6:8, Mark 16:15-16, Philemon 1:6, 1 Peter 3:15-16, Matthew 4:19-20, Psalm 96:2-4, Corinthians 9:16) 

When you have all the above mentioned practical suggestions in your plans, then God’s love and care in all that you do is secured. I hope that this blog posts helps you grow and succeed in all your plans for 2018. May it enable your relationship with God grow.

Chaow Chaow!