Every once in a while, I find myself getting dull, unfocused, and swinging with an unsharpened axe. Every once in a while, I find myself colder in my heart than I should be; going through the motions of my Christian life but not really fervent in my relationship with the Lord. The Bible tells me I must “take heed” to myself. Here are some suggestions to help keep yourself sharp.

A new year is a fresh start. And a fresh start is a great time to reset your priorities. What’s really important? And what’s just preferred? I would suggest seven areas of importance that you would consider and work into your routines in this coming year:

Our world is filled with uncertainty, on any given day we awake to news regarding economic issues in places like Russia, China or some other major place in this world. Those issues cause the economies of the rest of the first world nations to shudder and shake. Add to that news a level of uncertainty regarding our nation’s economy because of our political leaders’ unwillingness to deal with the national debt.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s has long been claimed territory on my calendar for goal setting. In the weeks previous, I’ve jotted down general ideas for goals for the New Year, but on this week, I prayerfully finalize these goals.

One of the joys of ministry is striving together with others for the faith of the gospel. I’m thankful that I get to work and enjoy fellowship with pastors of all ages. Here at West Coast Baptist College, I have the privilege to invest in young men preparing for the ministry, and as I’m in conferences and meetings around the country, I am able to preach and fellowship with men who are seasoned, just getting started, and everywhere in between.

If you knew you were receiving a letter from an unjustly incarcerated man, what would you expect to read? Frustration? Anger? Gloom? The book of Philippians actually is such a letter—a prison epistle. The Apostle Paul penned this letter from the recesses of a Roman prison. While we would expect the letter to be sad and gloomy—or at least mournfully resigned—it’s not. The book of Philippians is even known as “the epistle of joy.”

The wise men followed a very special star to the land of Israel asking, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” When they found Him in Bethlehem, they came worshipping and gave Him valuable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that no doubt sustained the family when they escaped to Egypt.

It’s amazing to me that during such a wonderful time of year as Christmas—a celebration that is so significant to our faith—there are Christians who don’t benefit from the season. It’s incredible that we are willing to settle for “getting through” it rather than celebrating it and benefiting from the focus on Christ.

As our family gathers for Christmas each year, we read the Christmas story. Actually, we read part of the Christmas story. We don’t include the genealogies found in either Matthew 1 or Luke 3. But these 32 verses are part of the Christmas story. In fact, they are a significant enough part that God included them in our Bibles.

Perhaps you, like me, have noticed that many people are more willing to come to church at Christmastime than at any other time.