January 10th - Starting the New Year with Intention

- 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)