". . .you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds;
you put on the new man,
the one created according to God's likeness
in righteousness and purity of the truth."
Ephesians 4:23-24

As the new year begins, many people will make common resolutions to lose weight, get better grades, train harder and spend more time with friends. I'll be honest, some of those are mine for 2008; but there is one I have added to my life this year, and I hope more people will do the same.

For me, music is a big thing. I listen to it at all times of the day. One message that I continue to get from praise music is to be more like Christ. As I listen to worship songs and read my Bible, that message keeps coming back: BE MORE LIKE CHRIST. The New Testament tells us over and over again to be like our Lord and to show His love to the people around us.

I know that with all the peer pressure and distractions around us, this can be very difficult. And honestly, sometimes I don't do a very good job at it. But as this year starts, we all have a new beginning. Let's make this a year in which we can say on the field, in the classroom, at work and at home with our families, we were more like Christ than ever before.

1. In your daily life, how can you become more like Christ?
2. Which things in your life are you doing right now that you should continue to do? Not continue to do?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mike O'Leary is a student-athlete at Valley City State University. He also is one of the student-leaders of their FCA Huddle.

In Jesus' name, Amen.