Have you ever wanted to make the new year different…maybe even better than the year before? It’s really possible! And in this episode, we show you 4 super practical ways to make 2024 a year that your resolutions become a reality! No more looking back and wishing you would have done things differently. Start 2024 with these 4 steps and make this the year you do what you say instead of looking back on it with a lot of regrets.

The Bible tells us…

“What is your life? It is even as a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:14

“So Teach us to number our days and apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

SO…HERE ARE 4 WAYS TO HELP US LIVE 2024 INTENTIONALLY:

1. PRAYERFULLY PICK A VERSE OR A WORD FOR THE YEAR

Ask God some good questions:
• God where am I?
• Where do You want to take me this year?
• What = pay attention to more?
• What ways = need to grow?

Helpful online resource links:
TheHopeTable.com
TheProverbialHomemaker.com

2. MAKE A PLAN TO GET IN THE WORD AND PRAY (EVERY DAY)

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So, make a realistic (not a pie-in-the-sky kind of plan) plan and stick to it.

Put some spiritual disciplines in place. Routines helps us stay the course.

Think about how you can make daily Bible reading a priority and then…

1. Look at your schedule realistically and do what you need to do to have dedicated time in the Word and prayer daily.

• Schedule it in like an appointment that you’re making with the Lord.
• Remember… there is always enough time to do God’s will!

Ideas to help you stick to your plan:
• Decide you WILL NOT go to sleep without reading something from His word.
• Don’t eat breakfast until you’ve eaten from the Word of God.
• Don’t get on Facebook until you’ve sought God’s face first.

Create a Plan B for when life doesn’t work out the way you planned:
• Put a Bible in the car
• Put a notebook in the car for when the Lord speaks to you and prayer requests and notes
• Last resort is to use your phone. Phones can be a blessing but they also come with a lot of distractions

Use reading plans, Bible reading groups and podcasts to help:

• Kathy Howard’s website has a great reading plan and Bible study resources.

• Kathy Howard’s Facebook group, Reading the Bible Together, is a good source for interaction.

• Bible Recap Podcast goes through the Bible and has a quick commentary-type podcast daily.

• Tricia Goyer’s Daily Bible Reading podcast has a reading plan on her website and a Facebook community group.

• Biblegateway.com has a variety of Bible reading plans.

Or…just start at the beginning and read through the Bible to the end. And then start over and do it again.

3. Make Healthy Choices

We are body, soul and spirit and in order to be all God created us to be, we need to make healthy choices for our body, soul and spirit.

• Make healthy choices for your physical health. (All boils down to eating healthy and exercising) AND getting enough rest!

• Guard your heart and mind. Renew your mind by getting in the Word.

• Choose what you think on.
• Be part of a local church and connected in community of believers who encourage you to live biblically…
• Have an iron that sharpens iron kind of friend.

4. Be Faithful - Committed - Dedicated - Disciplined

• Create a time block schedule for each day.
• List your priorities and remember they’re your priorities.
• Learn to say no when doing what is good conflicts with doing what is best.

AND…let’s not forget that we are called to reach the world for Christ.

• Every day, ask the Lord to put people in your path that you can share the Gospel with.
• Practice sharing your testimony.
• Memorize the Romans Road.
• Carry tracts with you.
• Take a friend on a tract blitz.
• Make a list of family and friends you want to see come to know Christ.

As we close this New Year’s Episode and consider these 4 ideas:

1. Choose a word for the year

2. Make a plan to get into the Word

3. Make healthy choices

4. Be faithful

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”