My 2023 Plan for Spiritual Growth

January 23, 2023

Do you have a plan for 2023 to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ? It is so important, because as believers it is imperative that we have an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. Our level of intimacy with God will determine how much victory and success we experience in our lives. You do not have an intimate relationship by default just because you are born again.

An intimate relationship with God is available to every believer, but it must be cultivated, nurtured, and developed like any other relationship. We can get so caught up in the things we DO as Christians that we neglect the foundation—our relationship with God.

God wants to be involved in every area of your life. He wants to communicate with you on a daily basis. Therefore, it is imperative to do everything necessary to cultivate your relationship with God and deepen your level of intimacy with Him.

One of the greatest benefits you will gain from an intimate relationship with God is the ability to trust Him more easily. The more intimately you know someone (their character and their nature) the easier it is to trust them. Trust is central to every healthy relationship.

There will be many things in 2023 that will arise that can shake you and bring fear and anxiety. The key to overcoming is a strong, healthy relationship with your heavenly Father. The key is to know that it is a relationship, and a relationship takes intentionality, discipline, and time.

Peter tells us, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8 NIV

We can be productive and effective in our relationship with God. Planning for and doing that in 2023 is of utmost importance because your relationship with God is more important than any other relationship that you'll ever have in your entire life.

  • Your relationship with God will affect all of your other relationships—with your spouse, your kids, your co-workers—everyone.
  • Your relationship with God will impact how you handle the inevitable challenges, disappointments, and setbacks in 2023.
  • Your relationship with God will have a direct impact on your mental and emotional health.

So how can you nurture this relationship? Here are some ways I find helpful:

  • Commit to regular worship with others.
  • Attend Discover NewPointe.
  • Read The Daily, Monday through Friday. This will help you focus with further learning from the Sunday service.
  • Join a small group for accountability and community.
  • Serve. It will stretch your heart and make you more like Jesus.