BEGINNING AGAIN

As we begin 2024, let’s focus on starting a new year with how God enables us to embrace the Spiritual fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23.  Isaiah 43:18-19 “The Lord says, `Forget about what has happened before.  Do not think about the past.  Instead, look at the new things I’m going to do.’   

Following is an acrostic for refreshing ourselves in ‘24:  START  

Stop making excuses

You are the only one that can choose how you’re going to respond to life’s circumstances.  

Proverbs 28:13 says, “You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.”  Realistically, most of the problems in my life are my own fault.

Take stock of your life

Galatians 3:4 says, “You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away?” God uses relational and spiritual experiences to shape you.  He can work through those to whom you are close, like a family member, or through actions like attending church, meeting with a Tables group, or reading your Bible, having a quiet time.

Act in faith

It takes faith if you want to change your circumstances, your personality, or anything in life.  Jesus says this in Matthew 9, “Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you…’” That is a very simple statement but it’s very powerful.  We tend to get out of life what we expect.

Refocus

I need to refocus my thoughts if I want to change my life.  Romans 12 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Trust God to help me

The only way to a fresh start is by trusting.   Zechariah 4 says, “So the angel explained that it was the following message of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘I am the LORD All-Powerful. So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit.’”

Let’s rely on God to begin again in a new year and guide us through 2024.