Nothing really changes when December 31st ends and January 1st starts. We might stay up later than usual to celebrate, but after the party, our problems are still there. Our concerns and our worries do not go away when we turn the calendar page.

But there is something “new” about a new year. Somehow it just feels like there is a chance for a new beginning. Perhaps there might be a different outcome this time, maybe something will change this year. It is why so many people resolve to try a new diet or join a gym or read more books and watch less TV at the turn of a new year.

God’s Mercy Is New Every Day

God knows our struggles. He sees us fall and fail time after time, yet He does not give up on us. He encourages us with the word new in Scripture to give us hope that the old can be forgotten and changed and He can make all things new. Here are five passages where God offers hope with the new:

1. Jonah 1-2: This first passage is a perfect example of a sense of the old and the new. You know that God told Jonah to go preach to Israel’s enemies. He refused because he did not see people the same way God did and ended up in the belly of a big fish. Jonah cried out to God and thanked Him for saving his life. God again told Jonah to go preach to Nineveh. This time he obeyed, and Nineveh repented and was saved. Jonah sinned and ran from God, but God’s mercies chased him down and gave him another chance.

2. Philippians 3:13-14: But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Paul made just as many, if not more, mistakes than most of us, yet by God’s grace, he was able to let go of the past and press hard toward the future reward. He knew he had been forgiven and trusted God to reward his work and his faithfulness.

3. Lamentations 3:22-23: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Not just on January 1st, but each day of the new year and every year, God renews His mercy to us. No matter what our challenges might be, God’s love and care remain constant.

4. 2 Corinthians 5:17: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

In the verse above from Philippians, Paul was able to forget the past because he was a different person now. If Christ has saved you, you can step into the new year with confidence because your identity is in Christ, not in your mistakes or failures.

5. Isaiah 65:17: See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Later, in the book of Revelation, Jesus again says, “I am making all things new” and says that God will wipe every tear away, and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain. Even with the hope of a new beginning in the new year, we will always have pain here in this life, but these verses remind us of God’s ultimate plan for renewal and restoration. Those who know God will spend eternity in a new place, where nothing of the pain of our past will even be remembered.

As we move into and through this new year, cling to the hope that God’s promises are trustworthy and true. He can make something new and beautiful of our challenges and pain, both now and in the future. “I am making all things new.”

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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As we’re approaching a new year, it’s the natural time to think about ways you want to change your life. Take some time to set measurable, attainable goals in categories such as: Spiritual, Marriage, Family, Relationships, Finances, Professional Growth, Personal Growth, Career, Physical Health, Education, Travel, and Self Care. A good place to start might be: 1. Spiritual 2. Physical 3. Relationships. As the year goes on and you start meeting your goals, you can add new categories, or more involved plans, but start simple for now. 

What Will Make Your Life More Meaningful?

Start with thinking through what will make your life more meaningful and fulfilling. There are so many things we fill our time with that don’t enrich our days or help us live out our purpose. What are some things you can cut out of your schedule to make room for the things you really want to make time for? Write down your thoughts to help you keep track of your process. Doing the work to understand why you want things to be different in your life and how you’re going to accomplish them gives you something to look back at and be encouraged when you feel like giving up.

Plan to Succeed

After you’ve thought through the things you’d like to change, start a plan. One way to try is reverse engineering: you visualize the end result (in this example, what you’d like your life to look/feel like) and work backwards making smaller, bite-sized goals to move you towards your desired outcome. When you’ve figured out your first set of small goals, make sure to write them in your calendar or set alarms on your phone to help you make them a priority. Also, make appointments to revisit your goals to see how you’re doing or what might need to change to keep you on track. 

Baby Steps

Remember that changing habits is hard; have some grace with yourself. It’s easy to want to just give up when you find sticking to your plan is harder than you imagined. Don’t- get back to the plan immediately. Have you ever said to yourself, “I’ll start again Monday”? Try this instead: “I’m getting back on track right this minute.” This saves you from more guilt about going off the rails and starts to change the way you think about yourself when you make mistakes or forget about your goals. Set up ways ahead of time to reward yourself for whatever progress you’ve made, and then have plans for bigger rewards when you meet goals or make great choices. 

Ask For Help

There’s no shortage of books, blogs, apps- you name it- to help you set, track, and learn about goals. Find some resources to support you in your plans, and don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend for advice or accountability. Having support from people you love can make all the difference in meeting your goals!

What plans do you have in place to make 2022 your best year yet?

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Love Broke Thru- TobyMac

joy.- for King & Country

What If- Matthew West

Everything Comes Alive- We Are Messengers

Walking Like Giants- Stars Go Dim

All That Matter- Colton Dixon

Never Been A Moment- Micah Tyler

Day One- Matthew West

Move (Keep Walkin’)- Toby Mac

Higher- Unspoken

Dear Younger Me- MercyMe

Impossible- Building 429

Let Go- Hillsong Young & Free

Walking Free- Micah Tyler

No Hold On Me- Matty Mullins

Glory Days- Jason Gray

Prodigal- Sidewalk Prophets

Priceless- for King & Country

Amen- Matthew West

Thrive- Casting Crowns

Soul On Fire- Third Day

Greater- MercyMe

Feel It- TobyMac, Mr. Talkbox

Reason- Unspoken

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching- Family Force 5

Smile- Sidewalk Prophets

Different Drum- Blanca

Shelter- Carrollton

War Cry- Social Club Misfits, Tauren Wells

What a Friend- Matt Maher

Rescuer- Rend Collective

Good Morning- Mandisa, TobyMac

Everywhere I Go- Tim Timmons

You Are Loved- Stars Go Dim

HARD LOVE- NEEDTOBREATHE

Lights Shine Bright- TobyMac, Hollyn

Bulletproof- Citizen Way

Magnify- We Are Messengers

Changed- Jordan Feliz

If You Ain’t In It- Danny Gokey

Good News- Mandisa

The River- Jordan Feliz

Old Church Choir- Zach Williams

The Cure- Unspoken

God Is On The Move- 7eventh Time Down

Point To You- We Are Messengers

Grace Got You- MercyMe

Even Then- Micah Tyler

Good Feeling- Austin French

Happy Dance- MercyMe

Sparrows- Jason Gray

Best News Ever- MercyMe

Freedom Hymn- Austin French

Do Something- Matthew West

Rise Up- Cain

Happy exercising!

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I’ve found myself longing for a deeper connection with God, with my family, and a more settled thought life. The three habits I’m going to share with you are centered around those things.

1. Day of Rest

This one’s tricky, because if you’re like me, a day of rest can easily become anything but restful. Your day of rest doesn’t have to be the same day you go to a worship service. For a long time, my family’s day of rest was Saturday, because if you work or volunteer at a church, you know Sunday can be downright hectic. So Saturdays were the days we protected from plans, spent time together as a family, went outside to enjoy Creation, prayed together, etc. Be careful not to let your schedule encroach on your day of rest. It’s easy when you’re looking at a full calendar to think, It would make my schedule so much easier if I work a little on my day of rest…but it won’t stop there. Before you know it, you’ll be back to no rest again. Think about your day of rest as a way to say to God, “I know that You have promised to take care of me. I know that I don’t need to work 24/7 to take care of myself. I trust Your plan and Your example.” Rest is a form of worship. 

2. Read Aloud

There are a lot of great reasons to read aloud to your kids of all ages (or anyone in your family who’s interested), but my favorite benefit is the bond you build with the person you’re reading with. It gives you instant conversation material, and as you experience the story, you learn about new places, things, and people together. You’re making memories and understanding more about the other person and learning how they think and feel about all sorts of different things. One of my favorite things is when my son unexpectedly references an event or a character from a book we’ve read together. If you’re interested in learning about the ways reading aloud helps children become better readers, writers, and more empathetic adults, get The Read-Aloud Revival by Sarah MacKenzie.

3. Journaling

Before you write this off as something you would never do, or something you don’t see a benefit in, hear me out. If you Google “benefits of journaling” you’ll find all sorts of things ranging from stress relief to boosted memory to recovery support from trauma and PTSD. What I’ve learned from my experience is when I journal regularly, I feel calmer and more grateful. The way I use my journal is called Bullet Journaling- meaning you put a bullet point before each item on your to-do list, and then manage your day from there. One of my favorite features of bullet journaling is you can do everything in one book. All in one place I have my meal plan, grocery list, budget, prayer list, creative space, monthly and daily to-do list, habit tracker, etc. I think it’s best to buy a blank journal and fill it in the way you want- you can be as artistic or as utilitarian as you please. Think of the goals you’ve made or the practices you want to add to your life, and add pages to help you in the right direction. I add quotes and Bible verses to help me focus on the things I want to base my days on. There are LOTS and LOTS of YouTube videos, Pinterest boards, and Instagram profiles to help you get started and keep you inspired along the way. 

Have you found ways to make your life more meaningful and more intentional? Tell us below!

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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