Happy New Year! While many make a list of resolutions to adopt in the New Year; often 2-3 weeks into the New Year, those resolutions fall by the wayside. Instead of making a list of resolutions that may be hard to keep, let’s focus on what God has planned for you. Jeremiah says,
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to get you an expected end.”
– Jeremiah 29:11
You may be one of those who have this verse memorized. These words are words of hope and comfort. Jeremiah spoke these words of comfort to the Israelites who were experiencing suffering and hardship under the domination of the Babylonians. Jeremiah told them despite their current situation, believe that God has a plan for them. You can believe God has a plan for your life also! God desires for us to know His will for our lives, so pray for God’s will to be done in our life. To know God’s will for your life, you must spend consistent time with God. This week, we will begin the New Year with a few spiritual disciplines to assist you to experience a deeper level of knowing God and discovering God’s will in your life.
Quiet Time – Psalm 46:10 says: “Be still, and know that I am God…” There are some that enjoy the mornings to have quiet time with the Lord; others may find that time of stillness before the Lord in the evenings. Build time in your daily schedule for regular and consistent time with God.
Read God’s Word Regularly – Carve out time in your day regularly to read God’s Word. The reading can be from a particular book, chapter or verse of the Bible, or a daily devotional. When you place reading God’s Word a priority in your life, you will grow in your walk with the Lord.
Scriptural Meditation – Scriptural meditation differs from Bible study in that you meditate on God’s Word by reading fewer verses. Thus, you can close your eyes and invite God to speak to you personally from those verses for a personal application. Remember Psalm 1:2 says blessed is the one: “whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law, day and night.”
Prayer – Communicate with God in prayer. While driving, pray. At work, pray. During private devotions, pray. Paul says, “we ought to pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition.” (See Ephesians 6:18.) In other words, pray with perseverance and faithfulness in the heart as this keeps one’s heart connecting with God.
Beloved, these are just a few spiritual disciplines. Others include fasting, giving, serving, worship, fellowship, being obedient to God, etc. Incorporate spiritual disciplines in your daily life and allow God to show you His will, plan and purpose for your life! Happy New Year!
Next Week: Continuation
General Disclaimer: The writer has used her best efforts in preparation of this information. No representations or warranties for its contents, either expressed or implied, are offered. Neither the publisher nor the writer shall be liable in any way for readers’ efforts to apply, rely or utilize the information or recommendations presented herein as they may not be suitable for you or necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. This information is for educational purposes. In some instances, this article contains the opinions, conclusions and/or recommendations of the writer. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.