A New Year
Happy New Year, friends!
I don’t know about you, but I love the start of each year. It is a clear marking of a fresh start, a new beginning. It offers us hope for all that God will do in the upcoming year. Many of us start the year with great intentions. Some call these resolutions, but I like to stick with the term “intentions.” Intentions by definitions are things intended, an aim or plan. A quick google search reveals that the top five most common new year’s intentions include: improving our physical health by exercising more and losing weight, getting organized, learning a new hobby or skill, and living life to the fullest. While all of these things are great, I can’t help but think about how improving one’s spiritual health didn’t make the list. And why not?
I pray that this year will be different!
May this new year be a year that we surrender our plans to the Lord.
Surrendering our plans for this upcoming year allows us to let go of control and instead requires us to place our trust in God. It shifts our thinking from what can I accomplish this year to what does He want to accomplish through me this year?
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
- Proverbs 19:21
May this year be a year that we grow spiritually by intentionally seeking the Lord.
In Matthew chapter six, we find Jesus preaching to His disciples and a large crowd and He instructs them not to worry about worldly things like what they would eat and drink or what they would wear. Instead, He states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (verse 33). In these verses, Jesus teaches what is of most importance – to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The reward for doing so is provision. This year, may we prioritize seeking the Kingdom and our relationship with God.
May this new year be a year of developing spiritual disciplines that will lay a strong and sturdy foundation for our lives.
Examples of spiritual disciplines include, but are not limited to, reading and studying the Bible, prayer, fasting, seeking solitude (quiet time away with God away from distractions), journaling and worship. Spiritual disciplines are simple practices and actions that help strengthen our faith and allow us to improve our spiritual health, as exercise does our physical health.
“…rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value of all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” - 1 Timothy 4:7-8
If you, too, want this year to be different, I encourage you to make your spiritual health intentional this year.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
RESOURCES: Opendoor’s Bible Reading Plan (can be located using the Opendoor app)
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for a new year! We give this year to You – may Your will be done. This year, we intentionally seek You and Your ways, Lord. In the simplicity and in the chaos of life, we keep our eyes on You, knowing and trusting that You are always near and are the perfecter of our faith. Thank You for all that You have done and all that You will do in this new season. Amen.
I don’t know about you, but I love the start of each year. It is a clear marking of a fresh start, a new beginning. It offers us hope for all that God will do in the upcoming year. Many of us start the year with great intentions. Some call these resolutions, but I like to stick with the term “intentions.” Intentions by definitions are things intended, an aim or plan. A quick google search reveals that the top five most common new year’s intentions include: improving our physical health by exercising more and losing weight, getting organized, learning a new hobby or skill, and living life to the fullest. While all of these things are great, I can’t help but think about how improving one’s spiritual health didn’t make the list. And why not?
I pray that this year will be different!
May this new year be a year that we surrender our plans to the Lord.
Surrendering our plans for this upcoming year allows us to let go of control and instead requires us to place our trust in God. It shifts our thinking from what can I accomplish this year to what does He want to accomplish through me this year?
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
- Proverbs 19:21
May this year be a year that we grow spiritually by intentionally seeking the Lord.
In Matthew chapter six, we find Jesus preaching to His disciples and a large crowd and He instructs them not to worry about worldly things like what they would eat and drink or what they would wear. Instead, He states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (verse 33). In these verses, Jesus teaches what is of most importance – to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The reward for doing so is provision. This year, may we prioritize seeking the Kingdom and our relationship with God.
May this new year be a year of developing spiritual disciplines that will lay a strong and sturdy foundation for our lives.
Examples of spiritual disciplines include, but are not limited to, reading and studying the Bible, prayer, fasting, seeking solitude (quiet time away with God away from distractions), journaling and worship. Spiritual disciplines are simple practices and actions that help strengthen our faith and allow us to improve our spiritual health, as exercise does our physical health.
“…rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value of all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” - 1 Timothy 4:7-8
If you, too, want this year to be different, I encourage you to make your spiritual health intentional this year.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
RESOURCES: Opendoor’s Bible Reading Plan (can be located using the Opendoor app)
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for a new year! We give this year to You – may Your will be done. This year, we intentionally seek You and Your ways, Lord. In the simplicity and in the chaos of life, we keep our eyes on You, knowing and trusting that You are always near and are the perfecter of our faith. Thank You for all that You have done and all that You will do in this new season. Amen.
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1 Comment
Thank for this! I really needed it today. Have been under spiritual attack and pushing myself to pray praise read the Word trusting the Lord to strengthen me. We all need all the encouragement we can get in those times. This encouraged me. Thank you Lord!