The new year is a week old. Have you already broken your resolutions?

I have never been one to sit down and write out any resolutions, but I do like to take time in this season to assess life and seek to make any needed changes.

I would like to offer to you some possible habits to develop this year that I believe will help change your life for the better. I shared these with my church this past Sunday, and I want to present them to you for serious consideration.

These thoughts are based on the first half of 2 Peter 3:18 where the apostle wrote, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Practice these four habits this year, and you will do just that.

The first habit is simple. Pray more consistently. Jesus prayed. That alone is reason for you and me to be more faithful to pray. We often find ourselves so busy that we do not pray as we should. Let me encourage you to be more consistent in your prayer life.

Second, study more regularly. I am first talking about study of the Bible here. Too many followers of Christ do not know much about the Bible. It is our source book for any and all information that we need about Jesus and living for him. Make it a habit to read and study some every day.

Third, worship more passionately. I have two things in mind here. The first is to be in worship every time that you can. You need the church, and the church needs you. I know there are those who dispute that, but I simply remind you that Jesus is the builder of the church. We need to be involved. And then, when there, be a part of what is happening. Sing, pray, listen, learn … and worship.

The fourth habit to develop this year is to give more generously. Sure, as a pastor I would encourage you to give to your church. But there are other charities and individuals who need your help. Giving generously is a distinctive Christian characteristic. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The older I get, the more I realize that to be true.

This list of habits could have been 20 pages long, but I have a word limit. Still, I believe that you can grow to be more like Jesus as you pray, study, worship and give. I pray that 2016 will be a blessed year for you.