Inspiration

How are you feeling at the start of this New Year? Are you feeling excited and ready to go? Or are you feeling flat and a little discouraged? May I encourage you with these promptings:

• Don’t spend too much time alone, or your negative thoughts may just keep playing over. Make time to be with people who uplift your spirit. Peter, James, and John were Christ’s inner circle, but fellowship with all his disciples was important to Him. In His darkest hour He wanted them to eat with Him (Mt 26:26-30) and pray with Him (Mt 26:37-38).

• Make church a priority in your life. Hebrews 10:25 says that this is where we get our encouragement. The Word of God preached transforms our heart. Praise and worship make the Devil flee, and the Spirit strengthens us. Testimonies remind us that God is in control. Prayer keeps us in communication with God. Gathered prayer is powerful because the fullness of the Holy Spirit is present. Fellowship reminds us that we are part of Christ’s Body (1 Co 12:13).

• Watch and read things that Jesus would willingly watch and read with you. Things with violence, witchcraft, explicit sexual content, and horror will not give you peace of mind or godly joy.

• Make time to read your Bible. While listening to podcasts and Christian speakers online may inspire you, God’s word is more powerful. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16.

May God continue to bless you abundantly in 2024.