A New Year, a New Plan

The tree isn’t even put away yet, and I’m still finding pieces of wrapping paper stuck to things throughout the house. Still, I find myself already looking toward the new year. This is, quite possibly, my favorite week of the year: the craziness of holiday preparation is behind us, and now we simply enjoy each other and all those fun Christmas gifts we received.

It’s about this time that I also start thinking of the New Year…things I want to accomplish, projects I want to complete, and new goals I want to achieve. I love the feeling of getting a “fresh start” to things, and after the craziness that is December, I long for the snowy calm of a Missouri January.

I shared last week how I am feeling especially empty and drained this year. That’s why one of the first things I am doing in the New Year is making a priority of being renewed and refreshed, both physically and spiritually.

How? I’m so glad you asked. 🙂

Starting on January 2, and for 30 days after, I am committing to spend 30 minutes every day in Bible reading and prayer. God’s Word is something I am extremely passionate about, but for some reason this simple step (spending time daily with G0d) tends to be one I overlook regularly. It seems to fall in the “I’ll-get-to-that-later” category. Anyone else have one of those? If so, you know that it rarely is “gotten-to” later, because there’s so much else to be done right now.

The truth is, there will always be things to be done right now. But I’m not as effective in the other things–being a wife, a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend–if I’m not consistently sitting at the feet of the Savior and transforming my mind with His Word (Romans 12:1, 2).

So, beginning next week I’m giving myself a spiritual jump-start, and I’m making myself accountable to you. Won’t you join me? It’s so much fun to do these things with a friend. Here’s all you have to do:

  1. Commit to spend 30 minutes a day reading the Bible and praying. You can divide the time however you want (15/15, 20/10, 10/20, etc). If this is new to you, don’t be intimidated. Simply, read a chapter or two a day and pray about what you’ve read. (If you don’t know where to begin, I recommend the Gospel of John, in the New Testament.) Or, start in your favorite book or that one you’ve always been wanting to read or study. I’ll share more tips in upcoming posts.
  2. Each Monday, I’ll be posting recommended resources, tips for making the most of your study/prayer time and using Bible study resources, as well as some fantastic encouragement from guest bloggers. You won’t want to miss them!
  3. Every Thursday, I will post about what I’ve been reading and learning. Stop by and leave me a comment telling me what you’ve been reading, what you’ve learned, or something you’ve been praying about. If you’re a blogger, I’d love for you to post what you’re reading/learning and link up to There Is Grace! (You can grab my button in the sidebar to the right.)
  4. That’s it….it’s so easy!

So grab your Bible, a notebook, and a pen and get ready to start your New Year with a new plan. I’m so excited to do this with you. See you in January!

*************Join the Challenge here*******************

Linking up here today.

15 thoughts on “A New Year, a New Plan

  1. No website…:) but I am in with my favorite Sister in Law!!!! I have been wanting to make this committment as well, so who better to share some of what I learn about and receive blessings from than Miss Nancy! I am looking forward to it!

  2. Great idea for accountability! Our church is reading through the New Testament together this year and it’s helpful to stay on track knowing friends are studying and growing right along side me. I’ll be checking back here! Thanks!

  3. I found you through Lora at My Blessed Life. I just blogged today about my number one goal for this year being to spend more time praying and reading God’s Word. I think your challenge will be a great help to jump-start that goal! Thanks for the invitation!

  4. Sounds great Nancy, I can’t wait to see your tools and how God is pouring into you. I agree with the difficulty level of actually spending such a small part of the day with Him… it’s a sad truth. About 5 months ago my faith sisters and I set up a MAP (from Dannah Gresh’s book Five Little Questions) and one of my personal commitments was 30 minutes of reading His Word each day. And it is still a struggle with 3 wise women praying for me! Thanks for this opportunity to be more accountable, at least for 30 days!

    Marissa
    http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com

    1. thanks so much for joining the challenge, Marissa! So glad to have you. I’ll be hosting a link up about the challenge tomorrow. If you get a chance to post about it, be sure to link up! Looking forward to hearing all God is doing in and through you!

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