A Fresh Start with Jesus
- Kara Stephens
- Dec 31, 2024
- 2 min read
“It is only God who can do that kind of work in us, but we have to desire that change. That fresh start.”
As we are on the verge of heading into a new year, I feel like there is always such an emphasis on things we want to do better. Eat better, exercise more, save money. Yet it never seems to last. Life happens, and it all goes by the wayside. But this year, if we improve in anything, I pray it will be our relationships with Christ. This is something that CAN be lasting and will have the biggest and best effect on our lives.
Read Psalm 100:4: This verse is our reminder to give thanks to God and praise His name. Look into your new year with hope, joy and expectant anticipation for what He is going to do in your life and the lives of your family members. Start the new year fresh, with praise for who God is and what He has done, and will do. Pray for a fresh start.
Read Isaiah 40:31: It is never too late to throw off the old and to start fresh. Don’t dwell on what has been, but embrace a new beginning of leaning into God, His Scripture, and prayer in every single circumstance. Pray that He leads you exactly where you need to be. Pray for a fresh start.
Read Ephesians 4:21-24: Our old selves may have had faults and gave into selfish desires, yet we can be made new when we continually seek Jesus. Our minds and actions will be transformed… but we have to put in the work (studying and applying God’s Word in our own lives), and desire to do that over everything else. Live in truthfulness and grace. When we decide to go from old ways to God’s ways, our identity changes and we are made anew. A fresh start.
Read Ezekiel 11:19: If there is anything that I truly long for, a heart of flesh would be it. God can change our hearts. From a heart of stone, to a heart of flesh. From anger and bitterness to love and forgiveness. It is only God who can do that kind of work in us, but we have to desire that change. That fresh start.
I pray that if you focus on anything this year, that this will be it. That you will focus on a fresh start with Jesus.
Action Steps:
Listen to the song “New Thing Coming” by Elevation Worship
Ask God for renewal in your relationship with Him. Make this year a fresh start with Jesus by your side.
Written by Kara, a mom who looks forward to a new year and a fresh start with Jesus