Best of New Year’s Biblical Viewpoints

By Michael Griego on December 29, 2017 • ( 0 )

Gearing up for the big count-down, or let-down? Here are 6 thought-provoking and motivating notions, resolutions and perspectives to help launch you into the New Year. ♦

Happily, before us is a long weekend of New Year’s fun and celebration. As the holiday season comes to an official end next week, people around the world face the new year with various emotions ranging from excitement and joy to fear, anxiety and uncertainty. No doubt each of us have a future full of challenges and obstacles while aspiring toward new heights and goals.

No one’s path is easy. But how we face that path in our own heart, mind and soul is what makes all the difference in our own perspective of success or failure.

As I have been writing these weekly Biblical Viewpoints for the past 5 years, I have addressed the passing of a New Year with thoughts and notions that bring a Biblical perspective to the annual winding-down and gearing-up exercise we all going through at this time of year.

And so I am presenting here a selected 6 of my own Best of New Year’s Biblical Viewpoints for you to pick and chose and read at your leisure this weekend between drinks, food, parties, parades, and ball games. If you’re familiar with my approach, these perspectives are targeted for Christians of all levels, as well as, I believe, non-Christians who are open-minded and inquisitive to the very real questions, issues, and concerns that arise when contemplating the deeper things in life.

This collection includes 1) three self-assessment questions to consider as the year turns, 2) three new Christian resolutions that are fresh, significant, and meaningful, 3) a new year’s resolution challenge that is life-giving and life-changing, 4) a practical New Year Plan adaptation of a secular Wheel of Worldly Success to a Wheel of Spiritual Success, 5) a clarifying word on year-end giving and tithing, and finally, 6) an age-old story of one man’s New Year woes that may bring you new perspectives on your own.

May your mind, heart, and spirit be stirred. Have a Happy New Year!

6 Viewpoints for the New Year
Here are 6 Biblical Viewpoints about New Years that lend themselves to good reading and study by yourself or with friends and family this long weekend as another year kicks off:

Yesterday, Today, and the New Year – As this year winds down another starts immediately. What did we learn yesterday that helps us today and prepares, or even leads us, to tomorrow? Here are 3 questions to ask to give yourself an honest head-start in January. Read the Viewpoint here.
3 Christian Resolutions – We make them every year. Resolute promises to ourselves to be different starting on January 1 of a New Year. As if there’s magic at the stroke of midnight. What’s a Christian to do? I maintain that there are 3 resolutions that every Christian should make. I also maintain that any non-Christian would be wise to understand these. Read the Viewpoint here.
The Christian New Year’s Resolution Challenge – Of course, in general New Year’s Resolutions are fun and silly. Some are certainly serious and well intended. But what about a Christian New Year’s Resolution? Here’s one that’s more spiritual than physical, more practical than frivolous, more difficult than impossible. But it can change your life. At least how you do life everyday. Read the Viewpoint here.
The New Year Plan – Here’s a New Year Planning Tool that’s easy, quick, but profoundly powerful in resetting your course in life. While you will not find the New Year Plan in the Bible, it is a game changer in providing guidance and practical steps to do what you really want to do. Read the Viewpoint here.
Tithing and God’s Grace – At every year-end the issue of giving and tax deductions come up. This matter can be a turnoff, guilt trip, or legalistic compulsion. There are many couples that have to work through this issue, as did my wife and I. Consider the pressures and mixed messages on this highly personal and controversial topic. Read the Viewpoint here.
Daniel’s New Year – Anticipating a rough new year? Do you have troubles and challenges facing you? For some perspective, it’s hard to match the upheaval faced by a young teenager named Daniel. Read the Viewpoint here.

Have a very Happy New Year!
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“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12