Top Ten List

 

Now is the time when various people and organizations put out their Top Ten lists for the past year. I’m not up on current culture, so I don’t pay much attention to what the best movies, songs, or trends of 2025 were.

 

It’s a good time to think about everything God has done for us in the past year. We can be like the psalmist who said, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night…..For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!” (Psalm 92:1-5).

 

Spend some time in reflection and make your own Top Ten list of things God has done for you in the past year. Think about the prayers He answered, everything He gave you, all He helped you do, all the times you experienced His forgiveness and mercy, and the big and little ways He made himself known to you. Think about how He has been working in you, on you, and through you. Keep your list as a reminder of God’s love and faithfulness.

 

When you’ve finished your list of what God has done for you this year, start working on your Top Ten list of what you will do for God and His people next year. It doesn’t have to be exactly ten items! Lay your list before God in prayer and ask for His help in doing what you’ve proposed to do. We can’t do it on our own. Even the apostle Paul admitted, “ I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Romans 7:18). You might want to share your list with someone so as to be accountable to them for your progress.

 

If you want some help in making your resolutions for the coming year, here are a few ideas to get you started.

 

1. Read the Bible regularly. Try reading other Christian authors.

2. Attend church regularly. Be involved in its activities. Fellowship with other believers.

3. Pray regularly and with thanksgiving. Take time to listen.

4. Work wholeheartedly on at least one area in your life that bothers you.

5. Seek ways to serve.

6. Don’t allow anyone or anything to steal your peace.

7. Allow God access to your work, finances, and any other area that you’ve been claiming as yours alone.

8. Forgive others. Better still, forgive someone that you have resisted forgiving until now.

9. Maintain an attitude of gratitude.

10. Take better care of yourself.

11. Ask God’s help each day.

12. Don’t lose heart. Tomorrow is a new day.

 

May we all have a happy and blessed New Year!

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The individual posts in this blog have been collected into a book, Reflections From the Basic Truths Blog.  It is available for free as an E-book through Barnes and Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflections-from-the-basic-truths-blog-james-yarmchuk/1147055811?ean=2940181202702, Apple Books, and multiple other book websites. It is available for a minimal charge on Amazon and can also be purchased as a paperback through them.