How to Start the Year with Faith and Hope
Happy New Year!
A couple of years ago, I selected the word “SEEK” my life word because I have realized it’s easier to say I want to seek God first and give Him complete control of my life—than it is to actually do it!
I’ve also learned that it’s easier to say I want to live each day with faith and hope than it is to ignore the enemy’s taunts and attacks and actually do that!
If those things are true, and I believe they are . . . I know it’s important for me to focus on the following – 5 Ways to Seek God First Every Day.
Because if we want to consistently SEEK GOD FIRST, we need the Holy Spirit’s help to:
♥ Remain humble and repentant.
♥ Remain in God’s Word.
♥ Remain in prayer.
♥ Remain obedient to God’s will.
♥ Remain in God’s presence.
Over this past crazy year, I’ve had multiple opportunities to observe how very important those five things are for my health – physically, mentally, emotionally, and especially spiritually. I have also discovered it’s impossible for me to remain humble and repentant, or obediently in God’s will and presence if I don’t remain in His Word and in prayer.
And that’s why I’m inviting you to take a journey in the Word and in prayer with me this year.
How to Start the Year with Faith and Hope
Did you know there are 260 chapters in the New Testament? That’s one chapter a day, five days a week to read through the whole New Testament in a year.
I’d like to invite you to join me as I study the New Testament and share 5 short posts each week.
For the last few years, I’ve posted 1,300 to 1,500-word posts on Monday and Friday. This year, I’m hoping to post a 500-word post each day, Monday through Friday.
Each post will offer a brief devotion based on the chapter (with a link to the chapter for anyone who wants to read it online), a highlighted verse or two, and a prayer that meditates on those verses.
I promise to keep each post short and manageable.
Jesus said,
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:33
When you and I “seek the Kingdom of God above all else”, we’re living with the desire to make Jesus the Lord of our lives, to want God’s will to be our will, and to live in unity with other citizens of the Kingdom.
I want to KNOW the TRUTH that Jesus said sets us free. I want Jesus to be Lord of my life and I want to TRUST and OBEY GOD’S WILL.
And I know that will take PRAYER and the POWER of the Holy Spirit giving me everything I need to grow in faith and hope.
That’s why I am so excited about this blogging plan for the coming year and I can’t wait for you to join me. If you’re not a subscriber already, you will want to sign up so that a link to each devotion will be sent to your email inbox. You’ll be able to visit each day or just check-in and catch up on the weekends . . . it’s up to you!
I will also share all the posts on social media – so make sure you follow me there as well. And don’t forget to invite your friends. I believe this is going to be a journey that will truly bless us and help us live with the faith and hope we both want and need.
So . . . let’s read through the New Testament! Are you ready to grow in faith and hope? Me too!! Click here to follow the devotional plan in just 5 minutes a day – 5 days a week.
We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…
and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.
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Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning
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How exciting, Deb! Yes, I’m looking forward to joining you in this endeavor. Each year, I read the Bible all the way through, but it will be a joy to explore the New Testament on a daily basis with you.
God’s blessings in the New Year!
Thank you so much, Martha! You are such a wonderful encouragement always. I wish we lived closer so we could grab a cup of coffee together and chat together. I pray you are blessed in the year ahead!
I am looking forward to reading your blog as we travel through the New Testament. I will be praying that God will give you wisdom and ability to capture the truth in each chapter. God bless you.
Thank you so much, Sheronda! I am so glad you will join us and I appreciate your prayers so very very much! God bless you and Happy New Year!
Deb, I am so grateful for the freshness I sense today in this new year and in reading your desires for this blog, for your walk with Christ, for being attentive to the One Who guides our steps. Not being in the Word and in prayer truly will affect everything else. I purpose to be more consistent in both. How can I “decrease” (my One Word) if I do not understand how or why!! Thank you for your ministry to us over the years.
Thank you, Linda! I love your word for the year. Most of us think about finding “increase” but there are so many ways to Biblically apply God’s desire for us to “decrease.” Less of me and more of Him. What a wonderful reminder. Thank you! God bless and Happy New Year!
So glad you’re doing this Deb. I run into so many ladies who need help like this getting started reading through the NT, especially with some guidance. Grateful for a good resource like this to share and looking forward to it myself!
Thanks, Patti! I am blessed by and appreciate your encouragement. God bless you and Happy New Year!
Happy and blessed new year, Deb! Your writing and sharing this past year has enriched my devotion and Bible reading life so much, and I thank you! Please pray that our women’s Bible study can be back together soon (Abiding Savior on Butler Hill) as we’ve missed so much Scripture reading/sharing together. Thanking the LORD for the past year and all His blessings as He’s guided us through the challenging times and has well-provided. This past Tuesday, God in His mercy took my sister, Kathy, to be with Him in heaven after her year-long struggle with a painful esophageal cancer. It’s a sad/happy time for her family and ours, and we’re comforted to know she knew and trusted her Savior, and that because of Him, we’ll see her again in heaven someday. Thank you for sharing, praying, writing and being the sharer that you are. I always share your posts with my family and friends too. God bless!
Hi, Jane! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I am so sorry for the loss of your sister, Kathy. We are so very blessed to have God’s grace and the hope of heaven. I will be praying for your family and asking God to comfort you in the days and weeks ahead. May you be blessed throughout the year ahead.
Hi Deb, I gladly accept your invitation to join in the Study of the New Testament over the course of the Year 2021.
I thank you very much and look forward to this commitment. God Bess you all year round.
Yay, I’m so glad, Mary! I pray that you are blessed bunches! God be with you!
Thank you so much! We appreciate the prayers! God bless you as you continue the online sharing of His word and your great life applications!
Thank you, Jane! I sure do appreciate your kind encouragement! Blessings!
Your posts have encouraged me in the last year during very tough family circumstances that we continue to struggle with. I’m looking forward to the Bible study Monday through Friday. May the Lord bless you as you are a blessing to so many of us. Thank you.
I am so glad, Linda! Thank you so much for stopping to say hello and for blessing me with your kind encouragement. Looking forward to you joining us this year! God be with you!
Thank You For Your INSPIRING Articles !!!And HAPPY NEW YEAR ! They HAVE TRULY ENCOURAGED ME! G-d♥️ Bless
Thank you so much for pausing to let me know, Cheri! Happy New Year to you! God be with you and bless you!
I am looking forward to reading through the new Testament with you in 2021! Great idea Deb and thank you for this blog. Happy New Year!
Oh yay, Lynn! I’m so very glad you are joining us. I pray you are blessed and that 2021 gives you countless reasons to rejoice. God bless you!
I usually read through the entire Bible each year but I was not very enthusiastic about it this year. This feels like a great alternative! Funny how God always has a plan that is so much better than mine. Looking forward to reading along and I pray we will all open our hearts and minds and learn His truths. Happy New Year everyone!! Blessings and continued health
Oh, Barb, I’m so glad you’re going to join us. I do love how God always has a plan for us long before we know what that plan is. Praying your 2021 is full of blessings and the joy of Jesus. God be with you.
Always look forward to your blogs they’re so inspirational Looking forward to also be reading the New Testament 2021 Thank you sooo much May God bless you richly
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Rose! God bless you!!
Namshukuru Mungu kupitia ukurasa huu nmejifunza mengi.Mungu akubariki katika hili. Maana nmebarikiwa na nimepata uponyaji.
……kutoka Tanzania…
Translation – Thank God through this page you have learned a lot. God bless you in this. For I am blessed and have received healing.
…… from Tanzania
Thank you so much for visiting, Eva! And for stopping to say “hello.” I am blessed by your kindness. God be with you!
Hi Deb always looking forward for your blogs you are a blessing and inspiration to many bless you from Jenny Dean
Thank you so much, Jenny! God bless you!