“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 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 noonday sun.”¹

Here are twenty tips for better living in the New Year:

1. Rise and pray every day: “Again today, dear God, I
commit and trust my life and way to you. I’m available.
Please use me to be ‘as Jesus’ to every life I touch.”

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

3. Remember these simple sentences: “I was wrong.”
“I am sorry.” “Please forgive me.” “Thank you.” Say
them whenever needed and say “I love you” often—
whether needed or not.

4. Come apart and rest a while before you come apart—stress is a killer.

5. Remember, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”

6. Don’t nurse grudges: “Failing to forgive is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”

7. Carpe diem. Seize the day. “Opportunity comes to
pass—not to pause.”

8. Quit the blame-game—”choice, not chance, determines
destiny.”

9. Control your thinking or your thinking will control you. “What the mind dwells on the body acts on.”

10. Invest your life in a worthwhile cause by having a noble purpose for which to live—one that is bigger than yourself—one that will help make your world a better place in which to live.

11. Be a positive realist. You will always see what you are looking for: “Two men look out the same prison bars. One sees mud, the other stars.”

12. The greatest abilities are availability, dependability, and responsibility.”

13. “There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.”

14. “Smooth seas never make skillful sailors.”

15. When God is silent. “I believe in the sun even when it isn’t shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when he is silent.”

16. Cry when needed. “Every unshed tear is a prism through which all of life’s hurts are distorted.”

17. Laugh a lot. It’s still the best medicine.

18. Remember, “The bumps are what we climb on.”

19. Fear not. At least 95 percent of the things we fear never happen. Trust God for the other five percent.

20. Have faith and put God first with your time, talents,  and tithe (money).

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to so live. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 37:3-6 (NIV).

NOTE: “Tips for Better Living” is available on the ACTS online store beautifully presented at: http://tinyurl.com/tips4living.

<:))))><

Wishing all a very Happy and God-blessed New Year!

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”¹

Writing in The Age, a Melbourne, Australia newspaper, John Weldon states that “the custom of making New Year’s resolutions ‘has been observed since ancient Babylonian times—when most of the resolutions recorded concerned, not surprisingly considering that culture’s fascination with all things agricultural, the returning of borrowed gardening tools.’”¹

That’s a great idea for a practical New Year’s resolution—returning things we’ve borrowed!

Because New Year’s Day is the oldest special day of the “Big Five: Mother’s Day, birthdays, Christmas and Easter,” Weldon is amazed that some marketer hasn’t commercialized this day as it has the other four for squeezing another buck out of unsuspecting customers.

Fortunately, New Year’s day hasn’t been commercialized (yet) and while most New Year’s resolutions don’t last longer than a day’s journey to the next temptation, I still think it is a good idea to make at least one that you (with God’s help) vigorously intend to keep and then do something about making it happen—providing it is a resolution of value.

Suggested prayer for the New Year:

“Dear Lord, Please give me …

A few friends who know me and love me still,

A thankful heart to give you praise always and in everything,

A trusting mind to keep on believing in you no matter what the future holds,

A humble, pleasing personality,

A teachable disposition,

A thoughtful, kind, and caring touch,

A forgiving and understanding spirit,

A loving and accepting attitude to communicate your love to every life I touch,

A worthwhile work into which I can put my best efforts and thereby help make my world a better place in which to live, and

A life that will make a difference not only in my world, but in my street and, most of all, in my home. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 5:6-9 (NIV).

2. John Weldon, “There’s gold in those New Year’s resolutions,” The Age, Melbourne, Australia, December 29, 2004, http://www.theage.com.au/.

<:))))><