Planning for the New Year: Aligning Your Steps with God's Eternal Purpose

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, the world around us buzzes with resolutions, goals, and self-improvement plans. Gym memberships surge, diets are declared, and planners are filled with ambitious to-do lists. But as fundamentalist Christians, rooted in the unchanging truth of God's Word, we must approach this season differently. The Bible warns us against leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) and reminds us that "many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21). So, how should we, as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, plan for the year ahead? Let us turn to Scripture for guidance, seeking first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and committing our ways to Him.

In this post, I'll outline a biblically grounded approach to new year planning—one that prioritizes spiritual growth, submission to God's sovereignty, and practical obedience. This isn't about chasing worldly success or fleeting pleasures; it's about glorifying God in all we do, preparing our hearts for His return, and living out the Great Commission in a fallen world.


 1. Begin with Prayer and Surrender to God's Will


Before you jot down a single goal, fall on your knees in prayer. James 4:13-15 teaches us not to boast about tomorrow, for our lives are but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, we ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."


- Start with fasting and seeking God's face: Set aside time—perhaps the first few days of the year—for fasting and prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin, to guide your priorities, and to align your desires with His. Remember Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

  

- Journal God's promises: As you pray, meditate on verses like Jeremiah 29:11, where God declares plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. Write down what the Lord impresses upon your heart. This isn't about manifesting your dreams through positive thinking; it's about discerning God's sovereign plan.


In a world that promotes self-reliance, surrendering to God is countercultural. But as fundamentalists, we know that true freedom comes from submission to Christ, our Lord and Savior.


2. Set Spiritual Goals Rooted in Scripture


Worldly planning often focuses on the temporal—wealth, health, career. But our primary calling is eternal: to grow in holiness and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Make your spiritual life the foundation of your new year plans.


- Daily Bible reading and memorization: Commit to a through-the-Bible plan or focus on key books like the Gospels or Paul's epistles. Aim to memorize verses that combat the lies of our age, such as those on creation (Genesis 1), the sanctity of life (Psalm 139), or the exclusivity of salvation through Christ (John 14:6).

  

- Deepen your prayer life: Set specific times for intercession—for your family, church, nation, and the persecuted church worldwide. Pray for revival, as 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls us to humble ourselves and seek God's face.

  

- Evangelism and discipleship: Plan to share the Gospel boldly. This could mean door-to-door witnessing, supporting missions, or mentoring a younger believer. In these last days, with signs of the end times evident (2 Timothy 3:1-5), we must be urgent about souls.


Remember, spiritual goals aren't optional add-ons; they are the core of our existence as born-again believers.


3. Plan for Family and Church Community


God has ordained the family and the local church as pillars of our faith (Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Hebrews 10:24-25). Don't neglect these in your planning.


- Strengthen your household: Husbands, lead your wives and children in daily devotions. Wives, support your husbands in biblical submission. Parents, teach your children the whole counsel of God, shielding them from secular influences like evolution or gender confusion. Plan family activities centered on worship, such as attending Bible conferences or serving together.

  

- Engage in church life: Commit to regular attendance, tithing, and service. If your church is drifting from sound doctrine, pray about finding a faithful fundamentalist fellowship. Plan to host Bible studies or prayer meetings, fostering unity in the body of Christ.


In an era of apostasy, where many churches compromise on truth, we must hold fast to the fundamentals: the inerrancy of Scripture, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, His substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, and imminent return.


 4. Incorporate Practical and Godly Stewardship


While our focus is heavenly, God calls us to be wise stewards of our time, talents, and resources (Luke 12:42-48). Practical planning, when submitted to Him, honors God.


- Health and finances: Care for your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) through modest exercise and wholesome eating. Budget with generosity in mind, giving first to the Lord's work. Avoid debt and consumerism, which ensnare many (Proverbs 22:7).

  

- Work and vocation: Approach your job as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Plan for diligence, but guard against idolatry of career. If unemployed, trust God while actively seeking opportunities.

  

- Prepare for uncertainty: With global instability—wars, economic woes, moral decay—stock essentials wisely, not out of fear but faith. More importantly, prepare spiritually for trials, as James 1:2-4 encourages us to count them joy.


Use tools like a simple planner or app, but always filter decisions through Scripture. If a plan conflicts with God's Word, discard it.


Conclusion: Walking in Faith, Not Sight


Beloved in Christ, as we enter this new year, let us not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Our plans should reflect our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20), anticipating Christ's return. If we plan prayerfully, biblically, and humbly, God will direct our paths.


May the Lord bless you abundantly as you seek Him first. Share in the comments how you're applying these principles—let's encourage one another in the faith!


In His service,  

DMMC

12-30-25

Location: Peru, IN 46970, USA

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