Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now, is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Since God is closer than we think each and every time we wake up, it is now imperative that we Christians are awaken. We as Christians must strive to get closer to God this year; we cannot continue our previous practices. We must realize that the battles will become fiercer as he approaches closer. The word of the lord says Put on the whole amour of God, that he may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:11-12. Now more than ever, we must put on the whole armor of God in order to endure any trials, temptations, or other attempts by the enemy to cause us to sin. Some people had a rough year last year, but this year will be even harder since the enemy will try to assault our spiritual lives and exploit our weaknesses. It is up to us to draw nearer to God, to seek him out first, and to let him guide us in the direction he desires. Let God direct your steps; let him take away the friends who are hindering your life so that he may add friends who will enhance it. Luke 18:1, the Bible tells us that Jesus “spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” This is not the time we should cease praying. We ought always to pray if our prayer life was not that way.
Philippians 3:13, NIV
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead
Make sure that anything from the past that prevents you from moving forward has been left behind because it is a new year. Say goodbye to whatever offense you are holding onto, anything you didn't comprehend, and any lingering resentment or anger. Say goodbye to needing to constantly be right, to being combative, snarky, and pessimistic. Say goodbye to dysfunctions, guilt, and regrets. Say goodbye to having a negative self-perception and to feeling unworthy and inadequate. Any relationships that you are aware are unwise and leading you to compromise, end immediately. Say goodbye to the distraction from seeking God's presence caused by our connection to our phones. Say goodbye to the routines that stifle the desires that drive us to improve our prayer lives. This is a new year, so begin by accepting who God says you are.
I’m issuing you a challenge to live your life according to these three guidelines for rest of the year.
- Praying 3 or more times a day (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Fasting 2 or more times a week (Luke 5:33-35
- Reading your bible everyday (2 Timothy 2:15)
If we start implementing these principles into our lives, compared to how it is currently, our spiritual lives will undergo a significant transformation. We must let our principles consume the things that will suffocate our spiritual development.
