Waking up to a glorious sunrise is a reminder of how God gives us a new beginning with every new day. Yet, how many times do we wake up instantly thinking about our responsibilities, concerns, or unresolved issues. What would happen if we woke up and looked at the sunrise every morning for five minutes and thanked God for his faithfulness, his love, and our new beginning?
Focus on God’s Promises, Not the Past
Jesus told us that we would have troubles in our life. But Jesus also showed us how to overcome them with his power living in us. Many of us have faced tragedy, loss, betrayal, heartbreak, and at least some form of abuse. When we don’t work with Jesus and let him heal our wounds or seek professional help, the negative thoughts and emotions from our painful experiences can cloud our current and future perspectives.
We can focus on the past instead of what God is doing right now in our minds, heart, and life. We can forget that through Christ’s deadly sacrifice and resurrection, we have a second chance. Living in the past prevents us from living right now. God spoke these words through his prophet Isaiah to his people, the Israelites, after they returned their hearts to God.
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands. (Isaiah 43:18-19, MSG)
God’s words are our promise that he will make new beginnings in us. Aren’t you tired of falling into the mindset that things will never change, the circumstances are too much, or that you don’t make a difference? God’s word and the life of Jesus all tell us that God’s children have a new beginning on earth and a perfect heavenly future with them.
Three Steps for New Beginnings
These three steps can help you prepare your mind, heart, and soul for the new things God will bring you this new year. When you are a disciple of Christ and a child of God, you can never be separated from their heart and love no matter what happens in the world.
- Focus on your personal relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
Jesus said. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5, NIV)
Unless you walk hand in hand with Jesus every day and spend quality time with God by studying his word, through songs of praise, and in prayer, you will not foster a close relationship with Jesus and God. Their desire is for you to know them intimately. They don’t want to be a roommate you occasionally talk to. Begin each day by spending quality time with them, even if it means you have to get up fifteen minutes earlier. Jesus died for you. Don’t we need to honor him?
- Take inventory of your soul, your mind, will, and emotions
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. (Eph. 4:1-4, NLT)
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see any mindset, belief, agreement, or judgment spoken over you that hinders your relationship with your Father and Jesus as you study his word. When you find one of these hindrances, a negative emotion, or a desire to choose a sinful word or behavior, go to God immediately.
Ask him to bind these thoughts, emotions, or temptations that go against the loving sacrifice of Jesus. Replace them with God’s word, like the verses above, to overcome these learned patterns in your life. Proclaiming God’s word is the weapon of faith that Jesus used in the desert, so let’s follow his success.
- Create plans to “train to be godly” (1 Tim 4:8, NLT) AND wait for God’s direction
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Duet. 31:8, NIV)
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psa. 27:14, NIV)
The Bible is full of people who believed in God, but they created and followed their own plans instead of waiting for God. When we choose to be a child of God and a disciple of Christ, our life is not our own. We owe them our honor, service, obedience, and life. God created us with his very hands for his purpose.
We are in the army of God. To fulfill all that God has planned for us, we must train to be strong and ready. I don’t mean that we stop living in our everyday responsibilities and the choices we must make. I’m talking about creating a spiritual plan that keeps you challenged and growing. As you become stronger and closer to God, you will hear his voice and plan.
In the meantime, what is your plan to train to be godly? When are you studying God’s word, alone and with others? When are you praising him in song? Are you praying with him? Are you asking him what to say or do in everything?
So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:19
Create Your Plan to Prepare for a New Beginning
Anyone who has struggled with weight, a habit, or addiction can only overcome it by acknowledging it, creating a plan with God to work through it, and living according to their plan. The same is true for the disciples of Christ. He died and rose from the dead to give us a new beginning that included his love, grace, and power living in us so that we can overcome. This week, create a plan including all three of these steps and begin training to be godly and more like Christ!
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you. (Psa. 143:8, NLT)
