My Prayer as I Start this New Year. Prompted from a NOVO 60 Day Devotional Series until Easter.

Jesus. I have so much peace, confidence, and joy because of what you have done for us, for me. Your incarnation (that took you from glory to homelessness, rejection, and suffering) is alone such an impossible model of selflessness to copy. Then you proved all you were and taught by coming back to life and letting us have evidence that this impossibility is an irrefutable fact. 

I look forward to this new year of “making room” for you by “tidying up” both in the details of my physical life, and in my soul. You will guide me through what kind of garbage needs to be thrown out of my mind (memories or wounds, sin, and ungodly beliefs) that has hindered me from having the abundant life you promised.

But more than wanting an abundant life for myself. I want this 100% life as you promised so that I can maximize my presence on this earth.

The Getty's Hymn In Christ Alone comes to mind as I pray this. Oh that this will be more and more true of me in this new year!

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all in all

Here, in the love of Christ, I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross, as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin, on Him, was laid

Here, in the death of Christ, I live

There in the ground, His body lay

Light of the world, by darkness, slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave, He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

'Til He returns or calls me home

Here, in the power of Christ, I stand

Novo Mission has started a 60 Day Devotional Series until Easter. GOOD NEWS. GREAT JOY. ALL PEOPLE.

This post was prompted by the first in this series by Bill Randall. 

From that post:

I believe it is essential that we carry on this twofold focus on the good news as Jesus himself and the apostle Paul demonstrate. The next 29 days of devotions will highlight these two themes as the core message of the gospel. In summary,

• The gospel about Jesus refers to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 15:1–4). May Novo be known as an organization that remains fascinated with Jesus above all else!
• The gospel of Jesus refers to the good news that Jesus proclaimed, that God’s Kingdom has been made accessible to all through faith and repentance (see Mark 1:14,15). Let us continue to pray for, declare, and demonstrate with expectation the reality of God’s Kingdom reign that Jesus has brought near!

Suggested prayer focus:

1. Take a few minutes to quiet your heart and mind and simply focus on loving Jesus. Tell him what you are grateful for regarding his life, death, and resurrection. Now listen for what he might want to say to you. Perhaps you need to apply the gospel to an area of sin, brokenness, or despair in your life right now? Is there a family member, friend or neighbor who needs to hear the good news about Jesus? 
2. Take a few more minutes and recall how God’s Kingdom has broken into your life and ministry context. Specifically give thanks to God for those things. Finish this reflection by praying as Jesus instructed, “Father, may your Kingdom come and will be done…(in this person’s life, in this situation, etc.). Pray this prayer with humble expectation with reference to anything where you desire to see what is true in heaven impact people and situations on earth (no sickness, bondage, lostness, etc.). 
3. You might like to finish this devotional time by listening to one of my favorite worship songs by Jeremy Riddle called, “Stand in Awe”. Let’s remain fascinated with King Jesus!