Tag Archives: new years
Inspiration

3 Things to Do as You Start the New Year

By on Sunday, January 8, 2023
new year

The New Year approaches! What plans and purposes does God have for us in the year to come? Here are three things I will be doing to get ready for the coming year. Join me in prayerfully going through these steps.

1. REFLECT.

Before rushing ahead into a new year, hit the pause button. Stop and take time to look back. Think through the major events of this past year, both ministry and personal. I ask these questions.

-How has God shown me unusual kindness or grace this past year?

-What did He reveal to me about His nature and character? read more

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Inspiration Prayer

Important Questions As You Start the New Year

By on Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Important questions

Happy New Year! As this year begins I find myself doing what I do in a 3 part disciple makers meeting. Taking time to reflect, pray, and listen is one of my important rituals each New Year’s Eve and Day.

I’m looking back, looking up, and looking forward.  Here are some questions I’ll ask myself.  Perhaps you’d like to use them too.

Important questions for LOOKING BACK:

– What has God done that I can thank Him for?

– What have I learned about who He is this year?

– What have I grown in as far as being a more effective and obedient disciple maker and minister? read more

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Inspiration Missions Prayer

A Holy Dissatisfaction- My Prayer for 2020

By on Tuesday, June 21, 2022
holy dissatisfaction

This is an inside look at my heart, an invitation to pray with me today. I invite you to join me in holy dissatisfaction.

As I do each year, I’ve been pondering my goals for the coming year. What is God wanting to do? What is He laying on my heart to believe Him for? I want to be focused on the right things…the God things not just the good things or the many things.

You likely do too. It’s the start not only of a new year but a new decade.

As I pray, I find myself filled with what is best described as a holy dissatisfaction. I’m longing for more. read more

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Discipleship Faith

How to Set God-sized Effective Goals for 2020

By on Tuesday, June 21, 2022
2020 goals

Do you have a love-hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions? You’re not alone. We love the opportunity to have a fresh start, a new beginning. We resolve to do better this year in those difficult areas of our lives like health, exercise, and other things. At the same time, it can be disillusioning. Year after year you make the same resolutions only to abandon and forget about them. I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. In contrast, setting God-inspired goals for the New Year is a powerful practice in our lives. read more

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Church Planting Discipleship Inspiration Missions

3 Important Things to Do as You Start the New Year

By on Tuesday, June 21, 2022

The New Year approaches! One of my favorite moments this Christmas came the day after. I sat for a few hours beside our Christmas tree. It was early morning. I found myself reflecting on the goodness of God in my life over this past year. I allowed those moments to surface in my memory- the times when He had protected me, given guidance to me, surprised me with His kindness or favor. How very, very good He has been!

New Year

Remembering His goodness in the past year

  1. REFLECT.

-How has God shown you His goodness this past year?

-When did you experience unusual kindness or grace?

-When did you sense His support, protection or presence in a unique way?

I’m not a huge fan of Facebook, but I do appreciate the way it helps me keep in touch with people. That morning as I scrolled through my news feed, I was struck by how many smiling faces I saw…people wishing me a Merry Christmas…people who didn’t know about Jesus before our paths crossed. Now they were posting pictures and videos of Christmas gatherings, people dancing, preaching, celebrating the amazing story of the King of Kings born into this world. I saw pictures of spiritual grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My heart was warmed. Disciples were making disciples. His kingdom and His government had and were increasing. I had somehow played a part in that. What a blessing! What a gift!

-Who is celebrating Christmas this year who wouldn’t be, if it wasn’t for your witness?

-Who is passing on the gospel message to others because you were willing to live out the message before them?

2. RELEASE.

As we reflect, painful feelings also surface. There are things we wished for but didn’t see accomplished. People we prayed for, who still seem so hard and closed. Times we hoped and fought for a miracle, but it didn’t happen like we expected. There might be memories of offense and disappointment you experienced. Heading into the New Year,

RELEASE read more

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