- January 10th, 2018 -
Scripture: Isaiah 55: 10-11
“As the rain and the snow come down from
heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and
making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and
bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my
mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I
desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
“Be still and know that I am
God”
Psalm
46:10
It’s the start of a new year. Take a moment to breathe deeply. Realize
that the Holy Spirit is with you, inviting you into deeper relationship with
God. You are loved. You are saved. You are made righteous through the blood of
Jesus. Let everything else fall away. Breathe.
This is a good time to take stock and remind yourself of how God has
moved in your life over the past year, and how He wants to move as you start
this new year. Meditate on these questions, inviting God to speak His truth
over you. Take your time. This is an opportunity to be reminded of God’s
faithfulness in your life and to respond to it.
How
did you view God in 2017 and how would you define your relationship with Him
now?
What
descriptive words come to mind when you think of God in your life over the past
year? How would you like to know God better this year? Are you more in love with Him than you were a year ago?
In
which areas of your spiritual life have you grown most in 2017?
What
has helped you most in growing your relationship with God?
In
which areas of your spiritual life has your growth disappointed you?
Maybe
you started the year with a resolution to spend time in prayer every day but didn’t.
Perhaps you’ve been trying to overcome a persistent sin, but are still
struggling. What do you struggle with most?
In
which areas of your spiritual life would you most like to grow?
Perhaps
you’d like to improve your prayer life, or deepen your understanding of the
Bible. Our church is currently reading through the bible together with the
“Read Scripture” app. Consider joining in. Whatever you’re focusing on, form a
plan and ask God to help you follow through.
What
are some ways that can help you become more aware of God’s presence moment by
moment?
“The Practice of the Presence of God” (book) focuses on how to develop our
awareness of God’s closeness in the mundane activities of everyday life. The
daily Examen Prayer is
another tool to help us recognize God’s presence in every moment of the day.
Think of some ways you can improve your focus on God throughout your day.
What
bold prayer do you want answered?
Sometimes
we feel reluctant to ask God for things because we’re afraid our prayers won’t
be heard or answered. But Paul urged us to approach God boldly. What would you
most like God to do this year? Keep a prayer journal, where you can record your
prayers and how they were answered in 2018.
Where
have you seen examples of answered prayer?
Sometimes
we pray about things and receive an answer, but move on with our lives so
quickly we forget to ponder the significance. Remembering answers to our
prayers helps us build our faith. What are some of your answered prayers from
the past year?
How
will you live out your commitment to God in a practical way?
No matter
how much we still need to learn, we can always help someone else on their
spiritual journey. Perhaps God has placed a certain person on your heart that
you can encourage/walk alongside. You might commit to praying regularly for the
church, teach a Sunday School class, volunteer with the Surrey Food Bank (at
our church every 2nd Tuesday), or help at a homeless shelter. These are all
practical ways to show the love of God to others. What is God calling you to do
this year?
What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what
will you do about it this year?
We all have one and we
know exactly what it is. Is God prompting you to get control over it? Is He
inviting you to do something else instead? Will you do it?
What is a new way you can strengthen your
church?
The church is made up of
a body of people and each of us has a significant role to play. What is your
role? What has God called you to? Are you currently in a role that you
shouldn’t be in? Ask for clarity and direction.
Who will you pray most fervently for
this year?
God
places the people He wants us to pray for and serve right in our line of view.
Think of the circle of people that move around you on a day-to-day basis. It could be someone at your workplace, a
family member, someone at church, someone you pass on the street every day. How
does God want to use to in that person’s life and how does He want you to pray
for them?
Be
intentional with this new year and the time you are being given each day, and
consider how you can continue to develop your relationship with God. Trust that
He has a plan for you this year and that He will be faithful to carry it out!
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as
Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in
him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with
thankfulness."
Colossians 2: 6-7
“Forget the
former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am
making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43: 18-19
“But as for me, I
watch in hope for the Lord, I wait
for God my Savior; my God
will hear me.”
Micah
7:7
“One
thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I
press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus”
Philippians
3:13–14
(some questions taken from bustedhalo.com and crossway.org)
