[1] If you don’t do it already, start doing a daily devotional or quiet time.

This is the single biggest thing you can do to further intimacy with God, fight against sin in your life and grow in knowledge of the Scripture. I think mornings are the best time to do it (something like a pre-game pep talk), but when you do it is less important than if you do it. Make it work for you. Just do it.

[2] Have at least one area in your life where you are setting the bar really high.

Run a marathon. Learn a new language. Take up a new hobby. Read a whole book of the Bible. Lose the weight you need to…whatever. The goal itself is less important than the benefits these patterns will have in spilling over to the rest of your life.

[3] Fall in love with the Psalms.

This is the most emotional book of the Bible and there’s something in the book that touches every experience we have in life…It speaks about elation, depression, victory, defeat, joy, pain, complacency and discipline. At any given point in your life, whatever you are experiencing is mirrored in at least one Psalm. Know your way around this book so that when the experience comes, you know where to go to gain perspective.

[4] Learn how to finish strong.

Focus on patterns and habits and less on singular experiences. Retreats, really emotional sermons, mission trips, etc. are all wonderful things, but these come and go. Use them to develop godly patterns and habits that will last a lifetime. I have seen many, many friends who had emotional experiences but didn’t develop the day-to-day habits of walking with God. Those people flamed out. Don’t let this happen to you. The coolest people I know aren’t necessarily young people “on fire for God.” They are older people with a lifetime of trusting the Lord and watching Him work. Make it your ambition to be like those people.

[5] Even if you’re not a reader, try to read some solid Christian books.

Some of my favorites are In His Steps by Charles Sheldon, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Desiring God by John Piper and Knowing God by J.I. Packer. I have also been encouraged by the works of Max Lucado and Charles Swindoll.

[6] Learn to manage your money in a way that honors God.

This is one that I am still learning. More than ever before, I am learning from Scripture the importance God places on how we use our money. I highly encourage you to tithe regularly, give to missions causes and choose wise investments.

[7] Practice some disciplines you might not normally.

By this, I mean things like fasting or Scripture memorization. Even just doing this from time to time will keep you really sharp.

[8] Consider doing without cable.

I can tell you that my TV watching is a huge barometer on my spiritual life. Not having cable means two things for me. Number one, there is less of an opportunity to see stuff that will stick in my mind and feed my flesh. Number two: Because there is less available to watch, I watch less TV and have more time for other, more constructive things.

[9] Go on a short-term mission trip.

God’s heart is for the whole world. We see that all over Scripture, but it’s hard to get your brain around that until you actually get there and see it. I went to the Ukraine in 1999. Before that trip, I could’ve told you that sure, God loves gypsies and orphans in the Ukraine. But having been there and seen it for myself, I can tell you, God LOVES gypsies and orphans in the Ukraine. Get out there and see for yourself.

[10] Make people more important than stuff.

As time goes along and I get more to worry about, I value my family and friends more than ever.

RELATED LINKS:

Journaling: The Spiritual Cross-Trainer

Revitalize Your Prayer Life

Christian Meditation: An Oxymoron?

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