God’s gift . . .
Into the New Year
Start the new year off with a sure thing—
God’s promise to give you a hope and a future.
(Billy Graham)
By the Christian calendar, we are called into quiet reflection and prayer two main times of the year—Advent and Lent . . . but it can be extremely hard to make time for “quiet” in December and March . . . Now, January and February? . . . this should be a time when we have less happening . . . The holiday events are over . . . outdoor work is dormant and less demanding . . . Could you consider that this is a suitable time to slow down, pray, and reflect on where you are in your journey of faith?
Christ persistently invites us into a deeper, closer relationship with God . . . this is a lifelong journey for each of us . . . Each of our lives are filled with opportunities to take small, gradual steps toward God . . . We just need to open our hearts and minds to recognize these chances and accept them.
Take time to talk to God . . . to walk with God . . . to tell Him---
In the secret, in the quiet place, in the stillness you are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait only for you
'Cause I want to know you more
I want to know you, I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you, I want to see your face
I want to know you more
I am reaching for the highest goal that I might receive the prize
Pressing onward, pushing every hindrance aside out of my way
‘Cause I want to know you more . . . (In the Secret)
♪♬♪ . . . In the Secret
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=126PB9K-9lg&list=RD126PB9K-9lg&start_radio=1
The beginning of the new year is the perfect time for a renewed, refreshed, and refocused walk with Christ . . . I encourage you to embrace God’s grace, and take time to reflect, recalibrate, and renew your commitment to “get to know Him more.”
Remember, starting refreshed and renewed isn’t about erasing the past from our memories or behaving like it never happened
. . . Instead, it is about allowing God to work in your heart, allowing Him to transform your perspective on what has been, and welcoming Him to give you fresh strength to move forward . . . Let yourself see your experiences—good and bad—through the lens of God’s eyes, His purpose and plans . . . which can bring clarity instead of confusion, hope instead of despair, and a renewed sense of purpose to walk with Him.
“And this is the way to have eternal life—
to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
the one you sent to earth.”
John 17:3
Everyday time together, for you and the Lord is foundational . . . Set aside daily moments to pray, read the Bible, and worship . . . if you have to, actually schedule this on your calendar . . . listen for His voice, His guidance, and His will in your life . . . and you will start the new year on solid ground.
INSIGHT . . .
So, do you remember New Year’s resolutions you made throughout your life? . . . Did they stick? . . . How long did they last?
A resolution is defined as a firm decision to do, or not do something . . . Resolutions are great, maybe—or are they? . . . Resolutions require determination, perseverance, discipline, desire—all those things that take a lot of effort and time focusing on changing unfavorable activities or behaviors we want to stop . . . Resolutions can also focus on positive, beneficial behaviors we want to start or increase, but that can be just as hard to carry through . . . Personally, I have a long list of resolutions—positive and negative behaviors—that didn’t survive past the 10th of January.
The success rate with resolutions is usually low because they were trivial, spontaneous decisions that lost steam and faded very quickly . . . Resolutions should be rooted in an authentic, genuine, realistic desire to change and grow . . . Realistic?—I don’t think my past resolutions fit this at all.
”Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace.”
Philippians 4:6-7a
So, this year, my intention—not resolution—is to spend more time in focused prayer, and a lot more time being quiet and listening to God . . . What about you?
The most important resolution you can make as another year approaches is this:
to open your heart and life to Jesus Christ, and commit your life to Him.
Don’t waste your time on resolutions that don’t ultimately matter;
resolve instead to live for Christ.
(Billy Graham)
Look at your upcoming schedule . . . spend focused time in prayer discussing this with God . . . and then decide which spiritual intentions are realistic to accomplish with His help.
INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .
“I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
Psalm 16:2
A good place to begin a fresh heart or refreshed mind is with an honest evaluation of where you are in your spiritual journey . . . invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in your faith and trust . . . Remember, God’s grace inspires, enables, and empowers you to rise above any challenges.
Reach out to Him—God is always ready to meet you right where you are . . . Every step you take toward getting to know God more is met with His arms wide open arms and His heart full of boundless mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love.
Talk with God . . . and don’t be afraid to ask Him hard questions . . .
What are you longing for in the next days, months, years??
Has God been whispering, speaking, even yelling at you about anything specific in life?
Is there anything new rising up within you? . . . a desire? . . . a change?
. . . an affirmation that you are on the right path?
Is there anything new you are being challenged to do for God?
ILLUMINATION . . .
As you pack away the aftermath of the holidays, stop and think for a bit . . . Rather than leaving the baby in the manger when you pack up the Christmas decorations, how about truly remembering that that Baby, Jesus Christ—God’s most perfect gift to us—is the One who gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins . . . the only One who has conquered death and, because of Him, we can come to know God and the reality of eternal life . . . That Baby is filled with love for each of us, is our Light in the darkness, and is with us every day.
As you move into the new year, reflect on these questions . . .
Where did God show up for me this year? . . . was there for me when I didn’t expect it?
What lessons did the Spirit teach me that was I able to hold tight to?
Where did I gain new understanding about my relationship with God, that I need to keep within my heart and soul?
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Ephesians 6:18
INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.”
Psalm 100:1-2
I urge you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.
♪♬♪ Current . . . The Goodness of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f4MUUMWMV4&list=RD-f4MUUMWMV4&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Traditional . . . How Great Thou Art
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXQpDDcrN-w&list=RDtXQpDDcrN-w&start_radio=1
INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .
These next few months, I encourage you to reflect on simplifying your life . . . we’ve all had a lot of good and bad experiences over the years, and the lessons learned are truly priceless . . . but now, as we head into the new year, it’s time to look forward . . . time to focus on the future God has planned for each of us . . . to look forward with anticipation to what God has planned—because He is our great Lord and Savior.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100:4-5
Heavenly Father, thank you for this new year and its potential.
Fill our hearts with joy and peace that surpasses understanding.
Guide our decisions, open the right doors, close the wrong ones,
and help us walk purposefully with wisdom and grace in the year ahead—Amen
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Prayer Paths (written by Dr. Debbie Parcel)
is a weekly email letter designed to “fuel”
your active prayer life, help you stay engaged in
focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God.
To receive Prayer Paths by email each week—send a request,
with your name and email,
to BarnabasRoad2025@gmail.com
(Prayer Paths is offered through Barnabas Road Ministries)