“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” – Matthew 3:2

With a new year upon us, it’s a great time for fresh starts and new beginnings. Maybe you’ll set new goals or come up with a new year’s resolution. Maybe you’ll go to the gym or jump on the treadmill? Pick up a new book or start a new hobby?

But be careful not to start something new without first stopping something old.

It makes no sense to start working out, but not change your diet. Pizza and pushups just don’t mix.

Like most things, this is much easier said than done. As the saying goes, old habits die hard.

The same is true with changing our spiritual habits, too. If you decide to start praying more often but continue worrying all the same, what good is that?

Standing up from where you are right now and running a marathon is possible, although ill-advised. But it’s much easier to do, if you put a plan in place for how you will train and prepare your body each day before the big race! It’s a process!

Therefore, the Bible is very clear; for your benefit and mine. In preparation for Jesus’ arrival (new life), John the Baptist said we must repent, to turn away, from our sins (old life). If you hope to experience new results, new relationships, and much-needed restoration you have to change the way you think, speak, and act!

When we sin, and we all do (Romans 3:23) what good is it to simply “feel bad” about what you’ve done, but not change your behavior? Christ died so that you could be reconciled (reconnected) back to God! For all those who put their faith in him, he has promised new and everlasting life!

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

So as this new year begins, and you look for a fresh start remember this… God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you there. Trust him. There’s new life ahead!

  • What new spiritual habits is God calling you to start this year? (Prayer, daily scripture reading, serving, fasting, weekly worship, quiet time, and reflection, etc.)
  • What is your plan for starting and sustaining this new habit?
  • Who will you share your plans with so they can offer encouragement and help hold you accountable?
  • Before you start anything new, ask God to reveal something you need to stop. What is it?
    • With God’s help, stop it.