New Beginnings in the New Year

image

Rev. 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” 

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

As always, it is important to explain to your children what we are celebrating:

  • Have each family member draw pictures of things they remember about this last year.  Thank God for those things – the good and the not so good.
  • Emphasize the fact that no matter what happened last year, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to begin new things like being a better listener, being quick to obey, learning something new, making a new friend, exploring a new place, etc.
  • Make a list together of things you would like to accomplish in 2019.  Make this your family’s prayer list for the year.
  • Illustrate these and put them in a prayer box to pull out during prayer time.
  • Use the scriptures above to point out that Jesus gives us hope for new things in the new year.
  • Check out the following links for activities to celebrate New Year’s.

Free Coloring Pages:

http://ministry-to-children.com/new-years-coloring-page-let-your-light-shine/

http://www.childrens-ministry-deals.com/collections/free-stuff/products/new-years-coloring-page

Games:

Free download  http://ministry-to-children.com/new-years-eve-party-activities-and-games/

Free download  http://www.childrens-ministry-deals.com/collections/free-stuff/products/10-new-years-minute-to-win-it-games

 

Here’s a poem that has been my heart cry for over 30 years.  It is a good one to memorize and pray intentionally on a regular basis in the new year:

Lord Jesus, make yourself to me

 a living, bright reality

More present to faith’s vision keen

Than any outward object seen

More dear, more intimately nigh

Than even my sweetest earthly tie

by Charlotte Elliott

Share

Happy New Year!!!

 

image

Rev. 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” 

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

As always, it is important to explain to your children what we are celebrating:

  • Have each family member draw pictures of things they remember about this last year.  Thank God for those things – the good and the not so good.
  • Emphasize the fact that no matter what happened last year, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to begin new things like being a better listener, being quick to obey, learning something new, making a new friend, exploring a new place, etc.  
  • Make a list together of things you would like to accomplish in 2018.  Make this your family’s prayer list for the year.  
  • Illustrate these and put them in a prayer box to pull out during prayer time.
  • Use the scriptures above to point out that Jesus gives us hope for new things in the new year.
  • Check out the following links for activities to celebrate New Year’s.

Free Coloring Pages:

http://ministry-to-children.com/new-years-coloring-page-let-your-light-shine/

http://www.childrens-ministry-deals.com/collections/free-stuff/products/new-years-coloring-page

Games:

Free download  http://ministry-to-children.com/new-years-eve-party-activities-and-games/

Free download  http://www.childrens-ministry-deals.com/collections/free-stuff/products/10-new-years-minute-to-win-it-games

 

Here’s a poem that has been my heart cry for over 30 years.  It is a good one to memorize and pray intentionally on a regular basis in the new year:

Lord Jesus, make yourself to me

 a living, bright reality

More present to faith’s vision keen

Than any outward object seen

More dear, more intimately nigh

Than even my sweetest earthly tie

by Charlotte Elliott

Share

A New Year

Rev. 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

                             IMG_7657  IMG_7401

                          IMG_7492   IMG_7356

The children have all gone home and I now have time to reflect on the wonderful time spent together.  There were 13 people, 3 beagles, and 1 cat in our house.  It was filled with laughter, noise, chaos, some tension :-), hugs, eating, messes, movies, games, toys, and many of our Christmas traditions.  I loved every minute of it!!!!

The house is quiet now and I am trying to project for this new year my hopes and goals for myself, my marriage, and my children.:

I have chosen two words to focus on this year – intentional and peace:

intentional:
– in my prayers
– in time with God
– in my commitments
– in my relationships

The ‘I will’ verses are so powerful when you start talking about intentions:
Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

peace:
–  peace with God through Jesus.
– peace within myself and peace with others.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

My intentional prayer for each member of our family is that the greatest thing in each of our lives will be knowing God and making Him known. (Phil 3:8) (Mat 5:16) (1 Peter 2:9)

My intentional prayer for my husband is that he would feel surrounded by my love (Proverbs 5:19)

My intentional prayer for our grandchildren is that they would grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man as Jesus did (Luke 2:52)

Share