Starting the New year with God in Las Vegas: How to build a strong foundation

Seek Relationship, Not Rules

When the new year begins here in Las Vegas, many people set spiritual goals — read the Bible more, attend church regularly, pray every morning. Those are good habits, but they’re not the foundation of faith. The true foundation is a personal relationship with God.

Rules can guide you, but they can’t change you — only intimacy with God can. Jesus never said, “Follow the rules and you’ll know Me.” He said, “Abide in Me.”

Your faith isn’t built on a calendar of church events or a checklist of religious duties; it’s built on knowing His voice through Scripture, prayer, and quiet time. The church can help you grow, but your reliance must stay on God and His Word, not on the institution or the people in it.

A strong foundation starts with relationship, not religion.

Don’t Settle for Spiritual Activity Without Relationship

Jesus warned about this very thing when He said,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” — Matthew 7:21–23

It’s a sobering reminder that spiritual activity isn’t the same as spiritual relationship. We can serve, give, attend, and even lead — but if we don’t truly know Him, we’ve missed the heart of it all.

As you start this new year here in the Vegas Valley, don’t chase the image of religion or try to recreate what worked in the past. Let go of old expectations and begin again with an open heart — one that simply says, “God, I want to know You.”

If you’re seeking to grow your faith in Las Vegas this year, start by pursuing the One who knows you best — not a new routine, but a renewed relationship with God Himself.

 

Read the Bible Like You’re Meeting Someone

If prayer is how we speak to God, the Bible is how God speaks to us.

When you open Scripture, don’t read it like a book of rules or stories — read it like a letter from Someone who knows you deeply and wants you to know Him in return. This is the meeting place of relationship.

For a long time, I read the Bible to learn about God — to gather facts, memorize verses, or prove what I believed. But eventually, I realized I needed to read it to hear God. Every verse is part of a living conversation.

When you read this way, something shifts. The Bible stops feeling distant or heavy, and it starts to feel personal. You begin to recognize God’s tone, His patience, His love, and even His correction — the same way you recognize the voice of someone you love.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27

So as you start the new year here in Las Vegas, don’t just read the Bible out of routine or resolution — read it to listen. Let it speak life, direction, and renewal into your heart. Whether you’re studying at home, with a small group, or through one of our Bible studies here in the Vegas Valley, remember: the same God who spoke creation into existence still speaks through His Word today.

Make Sure Your Faith Is Built on the Bible — Not Feelings, Upbringing, or the Crowd

It’s easy to assume we’re walking with God because of how we were raised, a prayer we once prayed, or because we feel spiritually connected. But Jesus calls us to something deeper — a faith rooted in truth, not tradition or emotion.

Every believer must come to a moment of honest reflection: “Is my salvation based on what the Bible teaches, or on what I’ve always believed or felt?” That question isn’t meant to create doubt — it’s meant to create clarity. God doesn’t want uncertainty in our relationship with Him; He wants assurance grounded in His Word.

Your relationship with God must be personal, but it can’t be based on private interpretation. It has to align with the truth He’s already revealed in Scripture. Feelings change, people differ, and church traditions evolve — but God’s Word stands forever.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24

And sometimes, when we start comparing our understanding to the Bible, we feel a tug of compassion: “But what about all the people who were sincere and believed differently?” It’s a real question — one that often comes from love — but it’s also one of Satan’s most effective distractions. He’s been using the same question since the garden: “Did God really say?”

The enemy loves to blur the line between compassion and compromise. But God’s truth isn’t determined by how many people believe it, or how sincere they were — it’s determined by what He has spoken. His mercy is far greater than our understanding, but our responsibility is clear: to make sure our own faith aligns with His Word.

The most loving thing we can do — both for ourselves and for others — is to build our foundation on truth. Because only truth brings freedom, and only freedom leads to life.

It’s actually healthy to open God’s Word and ask, “Am I truly saved according to what Scripture says?” That’s not a question of fear — it’s a question of faith. It shows a heart that wants to make sure it’s walking in truth, not assumption. The Bible encourages us to examine ourselves:

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” — 2 Corinthians 13:5

When you read the Bible with that posture, you’re not doubting God’s grace — you’re making sure your confidence rests in His Word, not in memories, feelings, or culture. It’s one of the most loving things you can do for your soul.

Here in Las Vegas, surrounded by so many worldviews, beliefs, and backgrounds, it’s even more vital to build your faith on the Bible — not on what’s popular, emotional, or convenient. Let the Word of God be your anchor in a city that’s always moving, and your foundation when everything else shifts.

Walk in Obedience — Because You’re Transformed

True obedience flows from a changed heart. When the Spirit of God lives within you, His Word isn’t just a command — it becomes your desire. You begin to walk differently, not because you’re trying harder, but because you’ve been transformed from the inside out.

Jesus said,

“If you love me, keep my commands.” — John 14:15 

That’s not a call to earn love — it’s the response of someone who’s already received it. When you’ve truly encountered God, obedience becomes an act of love, not obligation.

The world teaches behavior modification, but God brings heart transformation. You can change habits on your own, but only the Spirit can change your nature. That’s why Scripture says:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” — Ezekiel 36:26

Walking in obedience is evidence that your heart has been renewed. It’s no longer about checking boxes — it’s about walking in step with the Spirit who now leads you.

So as you enter the new year here in Las Vegas, don’t chase perfection — pursue connection. Let your obedience be the overflow of transformation. Whether you’re living out your faith at home, in your workplace, or serving in your local church community across the Vegas Valley, remember that obedience isn’t about proving yourself — it’s about reflecting the One who changed you.

Praying in unity

Take the Next Step — Get Connected and Grow in the Word

If you’ve read this far, it’s because something in your heart is stirring. Don’t let that moment pass. Growth begins when you respond to what God is showing you.

The best way to stay rooted in your faith is to stay connected — to God’s Word and to His people. None of us were meant to walk with God alone.

Maybe that means joining our online Bible Study Series or getting connected with someone at Valley Christian here in the Vegas Valley who can help you get started in the Scriptures. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation, one study, or one friendship to open your eyes to who God really is.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17

If you’re ready to build a strong foundation this year, take a step of faith — reach out, ask questions, and let someone walk with you through the Word. Because a new year doesn’t change your life — God’s Word does.

Whether you’re new to the Las Vegas area or have been part of the community for years, we’d love to help you grow deeper in Scripture and connection. Join us at Valley Christian Church Las Vegas and see how God can transform your year from the inside out.