GIVING GOD OUR BEST S.T.A.R.T

S - Stop Making Excuses If we want a strong start this 2024, we have to stop making excuses for our failures. We have to stop blaming other people. We must stop seeing ourselves as mere victims of our circumstances. Proverbs 28:13 "A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them he gets another chance." T - Take An Inventory of Your Life 2 Corinthians 13:5 - "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (1 Corinthians 11:27-34; Haggai 1:2-11) A - Act To Advance James 2:26 "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." Matthew 9:22 "According to your faith it will be done to you" (1 James 1:25; Acts 3:1-5) You learn from past failures and mistakes and act in faith for the future. Stop worrying about what others say or think. (Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man is a dangerous trap,but to trust in God means safety.") R - Renew We need to renew our thoughts if we want to change our lives. (Proverbs 4:23 "Be careful how you think. Your life is shape by your thoughts.") Romans 12:2 "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." You also have to let go and get rid of those painful, hurtful memories of shame and guilt and other things. Focus on God's word. (Psalm 1:1 "Happy are those who are always meditating on God's word. They're like trees along a river that do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.") Renew (reform) your habits and ways. (Revelations 3:15-19) T - Trust Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." Trust God to help us succeed. Depend on Him. We shouldn't depend on ourselves. Zechariah 4:6 "You will not succeed by your own strength or power but by My Spirit, says the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!" God specializes in new beginnings. We can have fresh start with a new life as we begin this NEW YEAR.