A GUIDE TO STARTING THE YEAR RIGHT WITH GOD

Welcome to the year 2024, filled with endless possibilities and opportunities for growth. As we embark on this journey, it is essential to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the source of our strength - God. The start of a fresh chapter offers us a unique chance to find spiritual renewal and deepen our relationship with Him. 

So, whether you're seeking solace in times of uncertainty or simply longing for a stronger connection with your faith, join us as we embark on an enlightening guide that will help you start the year right with God. Embrace divine guidance, discover renewed purpose, and unlock the true potential within - let's make this year one filled with profound growth like never before!

Why starting the year with God is important

The start of a new year often brings about a sense of excitement and anticipation for what is to come. Many people make resolutions, set goals, and create plans to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. However, amidst all the hustle and bustle of setting personal goals, it is important not to neglect our spiritual growth.

Starting the year with God should be a top priority for every believer. It sets the tone for the rest of the year and helps us stay focused on what truly matters in life. In this section, we will discuss why starting the year with God is crucial for our spiritual renewal.

1. Seeking Guidance from God:

As we embark on a new journey into the unknowns of a new year, it is natural to feel anxious and uncertain about what lies ahead. This is where seeking guidance from God becomes essential. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding but to acknowledge Him in all our ways so that He can direct our paths.

By starting the year with God through prayer and seeking His guidance, we invite Him into every aspect of our lives; including our plans and goals for the future. When we submit ourselves to His will, He can lead us towards His perfect plan for our lives.

2. Setting Spiritual Goals:

Just as we set physical or career-related goals at the beginning of each year, it is equally important to set spiritual goals as well.

What it spiritual renewal and why we need it

Spiritual renewal is a process of reviving and rejuvenating our spiritual lives, which can include our relationship with God, our faith, and overall sense of purpose. It is often described as a time of refreshing and reconnection with our spirituality, allowing us to deepen our connection with God and grow in our faith.

In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and neglect our spiritual well-being. We can become so consumed with work, social media, or other distractions that we forget to nourish our souls. This is where spiritual renewal comes in; it offers an opportunity to step back from the chaos of daily life and focus on strengthening our relationship with God.

There are many reasons why we need spiritual renewal in our lives. Here are a few:

1. Connection with God:

Spiritual renewal allows us to reconnect with God on a deeper level. In the midst of hectic schedules and constant distractions, we may lose sight of Him and His presence in our lives. By intentionally setting aside time for spiritual renewal, we can refocus on God and strengthen our bond with Him.

2. Reflection:

When we take time for spiritual renewal, we can reflect on ourselves; both spiritually and emotionally. This introspection helps us identify areas where we may have strayed from God's path or where there is room for growth in our faith. It also allows us to assess how our actions and beliefs align with our values and goals.

3. Healing:

Spiritual renewal can be a healing experience, providing a safe space to confront any negative emotions or past wounds that may be hindering our spiritual growth. Through prayer, meditation, or seeking guidance from a spiritual mentor, we can find healing and peace in God's presence.

4. Strength for trials:

Life is full of challenges and obstacles that can test our faith. Spiritual renewal helps us build up our spiritual strength and resilience to face these trials. By reconnecting with God, we are reminded of His love, grace, and power – giving us the courage and endurance to overcome any difficulties.

5. Realigning priorities:

In the busyness of life, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters – our relationship with God. Spiritual renewal allows us to realign our priorities and put God at the centre of our lives again. This helps us refocus on what is truly important and make choices that align with our faith.

Steps to Prepare for a Year of Spiritual Renewal:

The start of a new year is often seen as a time for making resolutions and setting goals. But as Christians, it's important to remember that true growth and transformation comes from our relationship with God. Instead of focusing on worldly achievements, why not use this opportunity to prepare for a year of spiritual renewal? Here are some practical steps you can take to start the year right with God:

1. Reflect on the past year: Before looking ahead, take some time to reflect on the past year. What were your successes and failures? Where did you see God at work in your life? What areas do you feel need improvement? This reflection will help give you direction and focus for the upcoming year.

2. Set spiritual goals: Just like how we set physical or academic goals, it's important to set spiritual goals too. These could be specific practices such as reading through the Bible in a year or praying daily, or they could be character traits that you want to cultivate like patience or kindness.

3. Create a plan: Once you have identified your spiritual goals, create a plan of action to achieve them. This could involve scheduling specific times for prayer and Bible study, joining a small group or accountability partner, or finding ways to serve and show love towards others.

4. Get rid of distractions: In order to truly renew our minds and hearts spiritually, we may need to eliminate some distractions from our lives. This could mean limiting screen time or social media usage, decluttering our physical spaces, or saying no to commitments that do not align with our spiritual goals.

5. Surround yourself with like-minded believers: It's important to have a community of believers who can encourage and support you in your spiritual journey. Consider joining a Bible study, attending church regularly, or finding a mentor who can help guide you. 

6. Practice gratitude: One way to cultivate a heart of renewal is to practise gratitude. Make it a habit to thank God daily for His blessings and faithfulness, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

7. Be open to change: Renewal often involves change and stepping out of our comfort zones. Be open to where God may be leading you and be willing to take risks for your faith.

Remember, true spiritual renewal comes from surrendering our lives to God and allowing Him to work in us. As we start this new year, let's commit ourselves to seeking Him above all else and trusting Him for the growth and transformation we desire.

Letting go of the past and making room for growth

Letting go of the past and making room for growth is a crucial aspect of finding spiritual renewal. In order to fully embrace the new year and all the blessings it has to offer, we must first learn to release any lingering attachments to our past.

Oftentimes, we hold onto memories, regrets, and grudges from the past that weigh us down and hinder our progress. This can prevent us from fully experiencing God's love and living in alignment with His will for our lives.

The first step in letting go of the past is acknowledging its presence. Take some time to reflect on your past experiences – both positive and negative – and how they have shaped you into who you are today. Recognize that while these experiences may have been significant, they do not define you or determine your future.

Next, forgive yourself for any mistakes or wrongdoings you may have committed in the past. It's important to remember that as humans, we are bound to make mistakes but it's never too late to seek forgiveness from God and ourselves. Letting go of guilt and shame allows us to move forward with a clean slate.

Forgiving others who may have hurt us is also essential in moving on from the past. Holding onto resentment only harms ourselves and prevents us from fully embracing God's love and grace. Remember that forgiveness does not mean forgetting what happened but rather releasing the burden of anger towards those who have wronged us.

Once we have acknowledged our past and forgiven ourselves and others, it's  important to focus on the present moment. We cannot change what has already happened, but we can choose to live in the present and make the most of every day.

Reflecting on your relationship with God

Reflecting on your relationship with God is an essential step towards finding spiritual renewal. It allows you to take a closer look at your faith and assess how it has grown or changed over time. As we enter a new year, it is the perfect time to pause and reflect on our relationship with God, to ensure that we are starting the year right in our spiritual walk.

The first thing to consider when reflecting on your relationship with God is the quality of your communication with Him. Have you been spending enough time in prayer and meditating on His word? Do you feel a sense of closeness and connection with Him? It is important to regularly evaluate these aspects of our relationship as they are crucial in nurturing our faith.

Another aspect to reflect upon is your level of obedience to God's will for your life. Are you actively seeking and following His guidance, or have you strayed from His path? This can be a challenging but necessary reflection as it helps us identify areas where we may need to make changes or adjustments in order to align ourselves more closely with God's plan for us.

It is also helpful to examine how much trust you have in God. Do you truly believe that He has a good plan for your life, even during difficult times? Trusting in God can be difficult, especially when faced with trials and hardships, but taking the time to reflect on this aspect of our relationship can help strengthen our faith and reliance on Him.

Furthermore, reflecting on past experiences can provide valuable insights into our relationship with God. What lessons has He taught you? How have you seen His hand at work in your life? Looking back on these moments can deepen our gratitude and appreciation for God's love and faithfulness.

It is important to reflect on how your relationship with God is impacting other areas of your life. Are you living out your faith in your relationships, work, and daily activities? Our relationship with God should not only be limited to personal prayer and devotional time but should also impact the way we interact with others and live out our purpose.

How to Practise Daily Spiritual Renewal In 2024:

1. Prayer:

One of the most powerful ways to connect with God is through prayer. It allows us to communicate with Him, pour out our hearts, and seek His guidance and strength. In order to make prayer a daily practice, set aside a specific time each day where you can have uninterrupted conversation with God. It could be in the morning when you wake up or before going to bed at night.

2. Bible Study:

Another essential practice for daily spiritual renewal is studying the Bible. The Word of God is living and active, and through it, we can gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding about who God is and how He wants us to live our lives. Make it a habit to read a portion of the Bible every day or use devotional materials that guide you in your study. 

The Bible is not just a book full of ancient stories and teachings; it is a living word that has the power to transform our hearts and minds. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This verse reminds us that reading scripture should not be taken lightly but rather approached with reverence and intentionality.

3. Gratitude:

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in our worries and concerns that we forget to be thankful for all that God has blessed us with. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude not only helps us appreciate what we have but also reminds us of God's goodness in our lives. Take time each day to thank God for His blessings and express your gratitude to Him.

4. Worship:

Worship is another important aspect of daily spiritual renewal. It can take different forms such as singing, playing an instrument, or simply meditating on the goodness of God. Make time each day to worship God in a way that speaks to your heart and draws you closer to Him.

5. Reflection:

It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget about our spiritual well-being. Taking time for reflection allows us to pause, evaluate our lives, and realign ourselves with God's purpose for us. Set aside a few minutes each day to reflect on your thoughts, actions, and attitudes and ask God for guidance on how you can grow spiritually.

6. Fellowship:

Connecting with other believers is also crucial for daily spiritual renewal. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who can encourage, support, and hold you accountable in your faith journey is vital. Make an effort to attend church services or join a small group where you can build relationships with other believers.

7. Acts of Service:

Finally, practising acts of service is another way we can renew our spirits daily. Whether it's volunteering at church or a charity organisation or helping a friend in need, serving others not only reflects God's love but also brings joy and fulfilment to our lives.

By incorporating these practices into our daily routine, we can experience a deeper connection with God and maintain a strong spiritual foundation throughout the year. Remember, spiritual renewal is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires intentional effort and commitment. Let us make it a priority in our lives this year.

HEAR THIS - This Year 2024:

-Guard your EAR GATE (what you hear matters). 

-Guard your EYE GATE (what you watch on television, sites or social media matters).

-Guard your HEART GATE (What you allow into your soul & spirit matters)

-Guard your TONGUE GATE (What you say or conversations you have matters)

-Watch your STEPS (where you go matters- be in the right place at the right time)

Finally- Live Right! God is good and whatever is good is worthy of emulation.