Getting Ready for the New Year

The start of the New Year is right around the corner. For some they look forward to making a New Year’s resolution and for others they prefer not to. Regardless if you make a resolution or not, the beginning of the year can be a great time for a fresh start and outlook on your relationship with Christ. It can be a great time to start attending church more regularly, get involved in a ministry, connect with a small group or going deeper in your personal time with God.

Just like many buy a new workout outfit or shoes to help them keep their New Year’s resolution to frequent the gym more, it can be encouraging to pick out a new Bible or devotional book to inspire your time with God. TheCSB (in)courage Devotional Bible is a great option. The CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible is an invitation for all women to find their stories within the tapestry of the greatest Story ever told—God’s Story of Redemption. Each book of the Bible has an introduction connecting the book to the whole biblical narrative. There are ten distinct thematic reading plans for those trying to read through the Bible.

It also provides resources for women to explore the Bible, dive deeper into Scripture with stories of courage from 50 women of the Bible. There is also journaling space throughout the Bible to record reflections and insights. Readers will experience Scripture in new ways in the company of women willing to “go first” with everyday stories that bear witness to God’s grace to find beauty in brokenness and hope in the hard. It features 322 devotions by over one hundred writers of the (in)courage community. The themes range from adoption and cancer to missions work. Each devotion has been written by someone who has walked the topic being addressed and how God met them there.

TheCSB (in)courage Devotional Bible can be used in conjunction with the(in)courageonline community. The heart of (in)courage is to bring women into a deeper community with Christ and one another.

“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.  And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:51-52

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Risen Reflections

Get involved. Whether you make a New year’s resolution or not, take time at the start of the year to reflect on how you can go deeper with your relationship with God. It might mean making a commitment to attending church more regularly. It could be serving in a ministry or getting involved with a small group. It could be going on a missions or service trip. Take time this weekend to set aside a few hours to reflect and pray. Think back on this past year and what you felt like was missing. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct your time. Consider adjustments you might need to make to your schedule in order to fulfill your commitment. Share your decision to get more involved with a friend, small group member or your pastor so that that they can encourage you and hold you accountable. You might not have other people in your town that you can connect with so an online community like (in)courage might be a great option.

Go deeper. Spending time reading the Bible and praying can seem overwhelming at first. Start with a small goal of reading and praying for 10 minutes a day. If possible try and have it in the beginning of your day. Maybe it is reading a devotional while you sip your morning coffee or listening to a message or podcast as you drive into work. God wants to meet with us daily so that He can give us perspective on how to go about our day. Treat yourself to a new Bible, new journal or new devotional to start your new year.

Encourage someone in their walk with God. Grab coffee with a girlfriend and share your stories of how you decided to follow Christ or what God is doing in your life right now. Find someone at church or in your small group that needs a mentor and meet with them weekly to help them grow in their relationship with God. Ask God to show you someone in your life that you can help encourage in their walk. Reflect on someone in your life that mentored or encouraged you especially when you first started walking with God. Think through ways or things that they did that were helpful to you.

We were given a copy of (in)Courage Devotional Bible for review from Frontgate Media. All of our thoughts and opinions are our own.