Reflections for the new year that is upon us...

Donald Whitney has published some wonderful thought-provoking resources that I am trying to work my way through in my quiet times. I would challenge you to read these questions over the next several days, along with me, and to pray about what actions God would have us take in our efforts toward holiness:"Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) -
1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family's life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently for this year?
8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last?
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
"The plans of the diligent surely lead to advantage." (Proverbs 21:5)

Then, for further consideration, here are some deeply challenging questions from George Whitefield to use in probing your soul:
HAVE I...
1. Been fervent in prayer?
2. After or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God's glory?
3. After any pleasure, immediately given thanks?
4. Planned business for the day?
5. Been simple and recollected in everything?
6. Been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?
7. Been proud, vain, unchaste or enviable of others?
8. Recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?
9. Thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?
10. Confessed all sins?