Much of my Christian life has been loving God with my mind, but not much more. Christianity was about learning more facts about God rather than knowing God Himself.

My hope for 2019 is that I would experience the person of Christ more as I walk in communion with Him. I pray this for you as well.

Specifically, here are 7 specific ways that we can experience the risen Lord in 2019.

1. Find Rest in Jesus

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

2. Be Guarded by the Peace of Christ

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

3. Experience Life in Christ

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

4. Encounter the Love of Christ

Ephesians 3:17-19 “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

5. Have the Mind of Christ

Philippians 2:5-11 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…”

6. Know Christ Personally

Philippians 3:10 “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”

7. Experience Relationship with Christ

John 14:21, 23 “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him…If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

May the grace, peace and presence of Jesus be with you in 2019!