Isn’t it exciting to start a new year? Oh, the promise of a fresh, clean slate. The hope of renewal and a better day. We’ve learned from past mistakes, gained perspective from being another year older and we’ve laid to rest all the bad things from the past year. Now we’re breathing in a newness of life that comes with new beginnings. In all the living we must do while here on the earth, we still have work for God to do.
John 14:12 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” I’ve compiled a short list of things you can do to enhance this new year while working on a new you and serving God. This list is definitely not all inclusive, but it should help keep your spiritual wheels turning throughout this new year. Many of us like to play games. It gets exciting when we get to level up. It often comes with decent rewards, new things to use on that level, and let’s not forget the game coinage that comes with it, too. Wouldn’t we like for life to be that way? Well, using this list, as you map out 2024, understand that each time you establish things like this as a daily or weekly part of your life, you level up. Make it your life’s goal to become more rooted and grounded in God’s word, taking on his thoughts and his ways as your own and then go out and help others. Okay, here we go. Some of these may be trivial, but if you have ever established this in your life and then go any length of time without keeping to these things, you’ll certainly miss them. One, make sure to put God first in everything you do. Give God the best of you this year and he’ll put in his best for you. You’ll enjoy divine favor, overflow in many areas of life and so much more. Two, stop sinning. We must remember that God is a Holy God. He doesn’t like sin to be around him. We can’t be full of sin, and waiting on a ‘holy moment’ to hit. Learn what God says is sin and make a concerted effort to stay away from all of it. Three, you want to make sure you are as obedient as you can be. God has given us the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us into all righteousness. Draw closer to and spend more time communing with the Holy Spirit this year. Four, choose to live a life of forgiveness. We have to forgive any and everybody of any and everything they’ve ever done to hurt you. Certainly, you recognize that you’ve made mistakes and possibly have hurt others before as well. To live your best year ever, choose to walk in forgiveness and stop letting things of the past dictate how you are to be and haunt your future. Hanging on to bitterness and unforgiveness is like hanging on to last year's steak and potato dinner. Let it go - you have so much more to look forward to, Amen? Amen! Think about this: Jesus had suffered through a very unjust trial, had been beaten 39 times which was so bad the word says you couldn’t even tell he was a human. Then he carried a cross that didn’t belong to him-it belonged to us- up a high mountain and was hanged on it. People spit on him, put a crown of thorns on his head, speared his side, and gambled for his garments. Hanging on the cross, he tells our Father God to forgive them for they know not what they do. If Jesus can forgive-so can you. You can’t live a blessed life if you are going to hang on to rubbish. Let that stinking hurt go. Breath in a deep breath and let the fresh life of Christ fill your lungs and life. Five, learn about tithes and offerings. Giving your hard earned money to God is the best way to say I’m trusting you God to take care of me and all my situations. And don’t forget, tithing brings with it special protections. Read Mal 3:10-11. A tithe is 10 % of all your increase. Like unforgiveness, let it go. You’ll give your tithes to the church that feeds you spiritually but in your heart, you're really giving it to God. Ask God to receive your tithes and to bless others and in so doing he’ll take care of you. Talk with God about how to disperse your offerings. And always be ready to help a little old lady across a busy street or to help a little child. Those are examples of alms. Six, develop and/or maintain a prayer life- Praying is a two-way communication, not a radio announcement to heaven and when you are done you sign off. Stick around and see if God will answer you right back. During that time, get your spirit ready to receive. Take control of your mind and begin to focus on this time with God. Seven, make use of personal bible study time. Use devotionals to help you, they often have scriptures you can look up and study. Two of my favorite devo’s are Soul Retreats for Women and Soul Retreats for Moms. These are no longer published but you can buy some lightly used ones from Amazon. It’s well worth it. The one for women has a beautiful purple tea cup on the front cover. The one for moms has a cozy and inviting garden bench on the cover. Be ready to take some notes. Even if you attend some function with your church regularly, it isn’t enough. Give God some personal time where it’s just the two of you. Dare to sit down at that table-that quiet table where it's just you and the Father, dare to believe he will talk to you and show you things. Eight, seek God early- don’t wait until the day is over to spend time with God. You want him on the job at first light-amen? Why pray over your day when it’s already gone. Now, if you pray in the evening time for the night and the next day…okay. Even still, there’s something special and very powerful about getting up and making yourself ready to meet the day by spending time with God and asking him to set the parameters of your day. This works in conjunction with your tithes and offerings for special protections. That’s it. I pray your whole spirit, soul, and body takes on more of God this year and that in Jesus, you do more in 2024. La Donna Comments are closed.
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