Embracing Consistency and Gratitude for New Beginnings

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude as a Foundation for New Beginnings

Reflecting on the past year with gratitude is essential as it shapes our mindset for the future. By acknowledging what God has done, we prepare ourselves to embrace new opportunities with a heart full of thankfulness. This attitude influences how we transition from one season to the next, ensuring that we carry forward a spirit of readiness and openness to what lies ahead. Gratitude is not just a response to past blessings but a proactive stance that sets the tone for the new year. It allows us to see each day as a gift and an opportunity to grow and serve. [02:58]

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)

Reflection: What are three specific things from the past year that you are grateful for, and how can you carry this gratitude into the new year to influence your daily actions and decisions?

Day 2: The Power of Consistency in Faith and Goals

Consistency is crucial in both our spiritual journey and personal ambitions. Just as athletes train regularly to achieve their goals, we must apply the same dedication to our lives. Reflecting on past successes and areas for improvement helps us set realistic and sustainable goals for the new year. It's important to avoid complacency by recognizing that past achievements are not the end but a foundation for future growth. Consistency in our actions and faith ensures that we remain aligned with God's guidance and our personal aspirations. [06:26]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle with consistency. What practical steps can you take today to begin building a habit of consistency in this area?

Day 3: Perseverance Through the Example of the Disciples

The story of the disciples in the book of Acts is a powerful testament to the impact of consistency and perseverance. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, they remained committed to their mission, leading to significant reformation and growth of the early church. This example reminds us that we are part of an ongoing story, and our actions contribute to the legacy of faith. By staying dedicated to our mission, we can overcome obstacles and make a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond. [11:00]

"But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a challenge you are currently facing. How can the example of the disciples inspire you to persevere and remain committed to your mission despite difficulties?

Day 4: Embracing the Process with Small Steps

Starting small and embracing the process is key to achieving our goals. By taking manageable steps, we can gradually build towards our aspirations. It's important to fall in love with the journey, recognizing that small acts of responsibility and consistency can lead to significant achievements over time. This approach not only makes our goals more attainable but also allows us to appreciate the growth and learning that occurs along the way. [16:22]

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one small step you can take today towards a larger goal? How can you celebrate and find joy in this small beginning?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Timing

Aligning our actions and attitudes with God's will is essential for making each day great. It's important to avoid the temptation to rush ahead of God's timing and instead trust in His plan. By doing so, we open ourselves to the blessings He has in store for us. Trusting in God's timing requires patience and faith, but it ultimately leads to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. [19:14]

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to rush ahead of God's timing? How can you practice patience and trust in His plan today?

Sermon Summary

As we step into the new year, it's a time to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. The beginning of a new year often brings a surge of motivation, with many setting resolutions to improve various aspects of their lives. However, the challenge lies in maintaining consistency beyond the initial excitement. It's crucial to be thankful for what God has done in the past year, as this gratitude shapes our mindset for the year ahead. How we exit one season influences how we enter the next, and this principle applies to both our spiritual journey and personal goals.

Consistency is key, whether it's in pursuing personal goals or following God's guidance. Just as athletes train consistently to achieve their goals, we must apply the same dedication to our spiritual and personal lives. Reflect on the past year, acknowledging both successes and areas for improvement, and use these insights to set realistic and sustainable goals for the new year. Avoid complacency by recognizing that past achievements are not the end but a foundation for future growth.

The story of the disciples in the book of Acts serves as a powerful example of consistency and perseverance. Despite challenges and setbacks, they remained committed to their mission, leading to significant reformation. This same principle applies to us today; we are part of an ongoing story, and our actions contribute to the legacy of faith. Start small, embrace the process, and gradually build towards your goals. Whether it's a personal resolution or a divine calling, consistency and a positive mindset are essential.

Ultimately, we have the power to make each day great by aligning our actions and attitudes with God's will. Avoid the temptation to rush ahead of God's timing, and instead, trust in His plan. By doing so, we open ourselves to the blessings He has in store for us. Remember, small acts of responsibility and consistency can lead to significant achievements over time. As we journey through this new year, let us commit to being consistent in our faith and actions, trusting that God will guide us every step of the way.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude Shapes Our Future: Being thankful for what God has done in the past year sets the tone for the new year. How we exit one season influences how we enter the next, so it's important to carry a mindset of gratitude and readiness for new opportunities. [02:58]
2. Consistency in Goals and Faith: Whether pursuing personal goals or following God's guidance, consistency is crucial. Reflect on past successes and areas for improvement, and use these insights to set realistic goals for the new year. Avoid complacency and recognize that past achievements are a foundation for future growth. [06:26]
3. Learning from the Disciples: The disciples' commitment in the book of Acts exemplifies the power of consistency and perseverance. Despite challenges, they remained dedicated to their mission, leading to significant reformation. We are part of this ongoing story, and our actions contribute to the legacy of faith. [11:00]
4. Start Small and Embrace the Process: Begin with small, manageable steps towards your goals, and gradually build upon them. Embrace the journey and fall in love with the process, recognizing that small acts of responsibility can lead to significant achievements over time. [16:22]
5. Aligning with God's Timing: We have the power to make each day great by aligning our actions and attitudes with God's will. Avoid rushing ahead of God's timing, and trust in His plan. By doing so, we open ourselves to the blessings He has in store for us. [19:14]
** [19:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:58] - Gratitude and New Beginnings
[06:26] - Consistency in Goals and Faith
[11:00] - Lessons from the Disciples
[16:22] - Starting Small and Embracing the Process
[19:14] - Aligning with God's Timing

Sermon Clips

"Yeah, I mean, you know, it's kind of like you look at some people, they're the one, the first week of the year, you know, one weaker gyms or gym people or one week or one monthers, you know, churchgoers, right? So they go. So for the whole month of January, and then they don't plug in anything else the rest of the year." [00:01:44]

"So yeah, I think that's the biggest. thing is like, whatever it is, especially what the Lord's leading you in, but like, whatever goals you have, yes, is to be consistent with it. And really come to terms with yourself this year, you know, what we had mentioned in the last episode about being thankful for what God did in 2024." [00:02:28]

"You know, how you leave something is so important, because it really provides you with the mindset of how you're going to enter into something new. And so we really have that choice now to take the next step, right? And now that we've been thankful, and our mindset is in the right spot, we could either let that fall now that we're in 2025 and just say, well, God did all this in 2024." [00:03:04]

"Think about the things you could have done better in 2024, and the things you did amazing on in 2024, and the things you could have done better in in 2024. Now say, okay, in 2025, this is how I need to do it. I need to do that better. Yeah. And then don't get complacent with the things you did so well in or that God did for you in 2024 and not think that it can't happen again or double blessing." [00:04:18]

"Now, like, let's use that same mindset and say, okay, there's some more. There's some more I want to accomplish for his kingdom. And God, I know there's going to be more you're going to do for my own life because I'm going to obey you in the process. And I think that's the important message that people just need to understand is, you know, there's a consistency that it takes." [00:05:22]

"OK, take the disciples. How many times did Jesus scold them about their faith in the four gospels? Right. Yeah. Because he was the great player of that team having to pick everyone else up. You have little faith. Oh, we're waking him up from naps now because we're sinking and there's a storm or whatever. But then once he ascended or retired." [00:11:00]

"be great and notice in the book of acts that's when my reformation came because they were consistent they could have easily left and just been like well our work is done he's ascended again how you leave something is how you enter something so they decided once he left that they were going to use he said go into all the world and preach the gospel they could have let that fall to the ground or they could have entered something with those words and they entered something and caused reformation oh even when james was killed what did they do they kept preaching peter and john were put in in prison what did they do they went out kept preaching paul look at him with how much he went through it's like they were consistent about their goals they were consistent about also what the lord told them" [00:11:34]

"and that's got to be the thing it's like again i'd rather have a whole team full of and that's what jesus was ultimately training him for like hey i'm not gonna be here so i'm showing you how to be through me once i'm out of here and then it's your job to instill this for generations to come that's why i say acts is a in my opinion acts as a ever -continuing book of the bible it really is you know we represent the 29th chapter in the book of acts there's 28 and it just goes on for generations and generations there's a principle in the book of acts that carries on to today yeah and i think people could use that same mindset when they start to think about the new year don't just be something and have this goal for one week and then like not do anything with it but to your point you got to start small so it's like okay you know maybe you don't go to the gym seven days the first week maybe you start with two or three right and when you go to the gym don't do the hardest workout you know don't if you can't run four miles start with one or two you know or if you can't bench press two plates start with one plate right and just work your way up but fall in love with the process that's one thing i've always heard someone say is fall in love with the process because the process to get there like the journey is amazing like my brother always talks about that just like fall in love with being uncomfortable and you know one one of the greatest quotes i've ever heard i had an old quarterback coach that said make today great we are really the ones that can determine if we're going to make today great or not and that's the thing i'm not going to lie to you i'm not going to lie to you i'm not going to god can try to bless us and we can refuse it by our mindset our mouth our outlook and sometimes trying to do too much when god says hold on a second this is out of the will that i have for you and so sometimes we try to jump in front of god and be the god of our own life and it doesn't work that way right and so i think you know we have the choice to make today great or not we have the choice to allow heaven to be closed or an open heaven over us with our mouth with our actions with how we view ourselves and sticking true to those goals you know i have certain times i have to feed him every day right so it's like i have to set the responsibility to do that and it's you know it starts small and works his way up right like he starts eating kind of small at first but then he works to eating now like massive amounts of food and i think that's the thing that's the thing that's the thing that's i've learned that over like the month of having him it's just like you know i had to like more often than not take him outside to use the bathroom because he was training on how to use the bathroom outside but then he started learning now to like alert me of like hey we don't go to the bathroom in the house so like can i go outside you know what i mean yeah but you have to build and like you said start small yeah you know that's why like the responsibility of like making your bed then could like work into something big like man it started with me just being responsible enough to make my own bed every morning and now that mindset of remembering to make my bed and be responsible now i graduated like law school the small things lead to big things like you said that's so" [00:12:20]

"it's true" [00:15:50]

"you start in january that you won't finish till you know october" [00:19:14]

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