This year will either be something great or a colossal waste of God's resources. Choose.

What would you do differently, if you could live last year again? Waste less time? Spend less money? Make more? Eat less? Exercise more? Worry less? Criticize less? Encourage more? While we cannot relive the past, we do have a fresh year just waiting for us to have another try - what will we do with this second chance? My favorite definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If you and I are to ever begin to accomplish something truly important, then we will have to stop acting like crazy people and stop repeating the things that caused regret in years gone by.

So, here is some unsolicited advice for a better year. You don't have to take it, nobody will ever know other than you and God, but I am convinced if you will do these three things next year that your life will be transformed. The three things are simply this: Pray as much as you can. Read your Bible as much as you can. Worship with the church as much as you can.

"Just as I thought", you are saying to yourself, "what else would you expect from a preacher?" Nothing else, I would hope, for it would be a worthless preacher indeed who did not recognize these basic truths. The fact is that you will be happier if you pray more, you will be wiser if you consult the word of God more, and you will improve every facet of your life if you will worship more. You and I know this for a fact because we have proven it in our own lives - either by doing these three things... or by failing to do them.

So, if last year was not what you had hoped for then just try these three simple things. God is waiting for your prayers. Your Bible is right where you left it last. The church is meeting this very Sunday. These things will take time and effort and sacrifice but, if you will do them, twelve months from now you will look back upon this year as one of the very best of your life.  

As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For, He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you". I tell you now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

II Corinthians 6:1-2, NIV