a. Relationship with the Lord (Psalm 27:4; Psalm 73:26) b. Relationship with our spiritual family c. Biological family d. Spiritual growth and development e. Service to God (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
2. DO THE NECESSARY SPIRITUAL HOUSEKEEPINGa. Make sure our hearts are right towards the Lord (Psalm 51:10) b. Make things right (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
3. Honestly evaluate yourself for the year 2023 and plan to change for the better (1 Corinthians 4:2) 1 Thessalonians 5:12 "Now, we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." 4. FORGET WHAT IS BEHIND AND MOVE FORWARD. SURRENDER TO THE LORD WHAT HAPPENED IN 2023, INCLUDING YOUR SORROWS AND REGRETS (Philippians 3:14) Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice…” Isaiah 43:18-20 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” HOW TO START 2024 STRONGLY 1. SEEK GOD AND WHAT HE WANTS AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR 2024 Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 2. LEVEL UP YOUR PRAYER LIFE The Lord Jesus prayed a lot. He taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” (Matt. 6:13). He was not complacent. Jesus was alert spiritually. (Mark 10:27; 1 John 5:14-15) Luke 11:9-10 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” 3. TRUST IN THE LORD COMPLETELY FOR THE YEAR 2024. DON’T GIVE UP HOPE (Psalm 22:5; Psalm 25:3) 1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." 4. SURRENDER YOUR PLANS TO THE LORD. LET HIS WILL BE DONE IN YOUR LIFE IN 2024 (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 4:25-27) Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 5. HAVE A VISION OF WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO FOR HIM (Proverbs 29:18; Matthew 11:12) John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."