A Christian Guide to New Year's Resolutions ｜ 7 Tips

Introduction: A Christian framework for New Year's reflection with seven practical tips

Opening of Mike's first-ever live stream. He introduces the topic as something he has done personally each December for a few years with significant life impact.

Tip 1: Look back before you look forward — December as a 'hilltop' for perspective

First of seven tips. Mike uses a journey/landscape metaphor to describe the value of year-end reflection.

Tip 2: Evaluate your responsibilities — write them down as a concrete exercise

Second of seven tips. Mike turns the video interactive by asking viewers to write down their main life responsibilities.

Godly maturity is marked by prioritizing responsibilities over desires

Expanding on Tip 2. Mike makes a theological claim about spiritual maturity.

A forgotten responsibility is likely the most important one to focus on in the coming year

Continuation of Tip 2 exercise. Mike asks whether viewers left anything off their list.

Tip 3: Take a good long look at yourself — evaluate what you have done, not what has been done to you

Third of seven tips. Mike distinguishes victim-oriented thinking from personal accountability.

The seven churches in Revelation were shocked by Jesus's assessment of their spiritual condition

Illustration within Tip 3 about distorted self-perception.

Restaurant rescue shows as an illustration of blind spots to one's own problems

Illustrative analogy within Tip 3 about honest self-assessment.

God repeatedly commands self-examination in Scripture; Isaiah as an example of God calling people to see themselves clearly

Biblical grounding for Tip 3's call to honest self-assessment.

Ephesians 5:15-17 — 'Walk circumspectly' as a call to wise, 360-degree self-awareness and time stewardship

Scriptural support for Tip 3. Mike quotes and exegetes Ephesians 5:15-17.

Thought experiment: imagine a Christlike observer watching your life for a week — what would they say?

Practical exercise for Tip 3 self-examination.

Tip 4: Three specific areas to evaluate — godliness, relationships, and responsibilities

Fourth of seven tips. Mike defines the domains of life to assess in annual review.

Matthew 6:33 — 'Seek first the kingdom of God' as the foundation for prioritizing godliness above all else

Biblical grounding for making godliness the top priority in annual evaluation.

Relationships area: evaluate whether you are fulfilling your calling — not whether others are fulfilling theirs

Elaboration on the 'relationships' area within Tip 4.

Responsibilities area: the question is whether you are 'just getting by' or actively pursuing Christ in each area

Elaboration on the 'responsibilities' area within Tip 4.

Tip 5: Make goals instead of resolutions — goals survive failure; resolutions don't

Fifth of seven tips. Mike argues against the traditional resolution framework.

Tip 6: Go higher — set goals rooted in godly, selfless ambition rather than worldly self-interest

Sixth of seven tips. Mike calls believers to transcend secular motivations for self-improvement.

Tip 7: Take practical steps — lofty goals require specific, actionable commitments

Seventh and final tip. Mike insists that all the prior steps require concrete behavioral change to produce results.

Be better at solutions than at excuses — the key to sustained behavior change

Practical advice within Tip 7.

Stopping the inner monologue of complaint through prayer — personal testimony and Philippians 4:8

Mike shares a personal example of applying Tip 7, and ties it to Philippians 4:8.

Mike's personal ministry goal: maximize online reach as a form of global gospel stewardship

Q&A/closing section. Mike shares his own goals for the new year as a personal application of the tips.

Church selection advice: evaluate a church by both its statement of faith and whether it actually lives out those beliefs

Q&A response to a viewer in the Bay Area asking how to find a good church.

Q&A: Jesus's swords passage — 'have a sword but don't use it' and the principle of Christian self-defense

Live chat question from Ryan White about Luke 22:35-38 and Luke 22:49-51 / John 18:10-11.

Q&A: Scientology is not Christian — it is a dangerous, money-driven cult involving alien mythology

Live chat question from 'Pac-Man' about Scientology.

Teaser: upcoming livestream critiquing the 'Mother God' cult active in Southern California and worldwide

Closing segment. Mike previews future content.