Be Encouraged Today · December 28, 2021

A Plan For The New Year!

             Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.  Test yourselves.  Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not , you have failed the test of genuine faith.  2 Corinthians 13:5

For many years now, I have consistently journaled my journey with God.  My journals are my private conversations with  God.  One might consider it a daily diary.  They include; my ups and downs,  hurts, pain and my shortcomings.  Also prayers for myself and others.  I’m most interested in God’s thoughts and will for my life.   Journaling is a check and balance at the end of every year..  It allows one to recall and remember the Faithfulness of the Lord throughout the year.  It is equally important for one to remember when going through hard things.  I love going back and praising God for answered prayers that have been answered after years of praying.

Each year I see God’s Faithfulness, even when I haven’t been.  Each year, my one desire is to always draw closer to the Lord.  And that I remain obedient to that in which He has called me to do.  This is a time where I place myself on the altar and surrender my weakness over to Him.  This is the time I like to Pray and consider the direction of my life for the up-coming year.

What better time than a New Year!  It truly is an ideal time to Stop, Pause and Pray as you Ask the Lord to examine your heart.  In (2 Corinthians 13:5), the Corinthians were called to examine and test themselves to see if they really were Christians.  Just as we get physical  checkups, Paul urges us to give ourselves spiritual checkups.  We should look for a growing awareness of Christ’s presence and power in our life.  Then will we know if we are true Christians or merely impostors.  If we’re not actively seeking to grow closer to God, we are drawing farther away from him.  Even those most faithful to God should reflect back on the past.  To Stop, Pause, Pray and Think about the Direction of their lives.      

  Here are some questions to ponder on for the coming New Year, as you seek to draw closer to the Lord:

1. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make           progress this year?, and how will you ask God to move you forward?

2. What will you do as you pray and wait for answers?

3.  What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

4.  What is the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

5.  In what ways will you draw closer to God this year?

6.  In what ways can you seek to improve your prayer life this year?

7.  What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

8.  What would you like to see God do in your life this year?

9.  What Spiritual legacy would you like to leave your Family, Children, Grandchildren, and Church Family?

10.  What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year and how will you accomplish it?

11.  What dead weight would you like to free yourself from?  In what ways will you ask God to help you? 

12.  How do you plan to pick up your Cross and follow Jesus this Year?

As you look to the New Year with upcoming plans, make it your aim to be well pleasing to GOD by putting Him first on your calendar and following His plan with a willing heart.

Be Encouraged Today!

        Knowing God has a plan for you this New Year!