1 00:00:35,675 --> 00:00:40,675 Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Daily Christian Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's 2 00:00:40,715 --> 00:00:43,915 Speaker 1: meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. 3 00:00:44,235 --> 00:00:46,475 Speaker 1: If you go to lifeaudio dot com you will find 4 00:00:46,555 --> 00:00:50,075 Speaker 1: dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've 5 00:00:50,075 --> 00:00:53,915 Speaker 1: got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head 6 00:00:53,915 --> 00:00:57,795 Speaker 1: over to lifeaudio dot com now and remember you can 7 00:00:57,835 --> 00:01:01,555 Speaker 1: have full access to our meditations commercial free. Just text 8 00:01:01,635 --> 00:01:05,075 Speaker 1: Abide to two two four three three for twenty five 9 00:01:05,115 --> 00:01:09,355 Speaker 1: percent off. Now receive his piece as we meditate and 10 00:01:09,435 --> 00:01:16,515 Speaker 1: abide in Christ. Welcome to this Abide Meditation. I'm Tyler Boss. 11 00:01:17,915 --> 00:01:23,395 Speaker 1: Happy New Year. Let's start this year with God. The 12 00:01:23,475 --> 00:01:25,955 Speaker 1: new year is the perfect time to take a look 13 00:01:25,995 --> 00:01:29,115 Speaker 1: at your life. It's time to come to the Lord 14 00:01:29,755 --> 00:01:36,635 Speaker 1: seeking renewal and restoration. Let today be the day that 15 00:01:36,715 --> 00:01:40,955 Speaker 1: you come before the Lord, maybe for the first time, 16 00:01:41,395 --> 00:01:46,555 Speaker 1: or maybe the first time in a long time, or 17 00:01:46,555 --> 00:01:49,315 Speaker 1: maybe you've walked faithfully with the Lord and you want 18 00:01:49,355 --> 00:01:54,155 Speaker 1: to continue that in the new year. Psalm fifty one 19 00:01:54,195 --> 00:01:58,755 Speaker 1: to ten in the New International version says create in 20 00:01:58,915 --> 00:02:05,715 Speaker 1: me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast 21 00:02:05,875 --> 00:02:16,435 Speaker 1: spirit within me. As you come before the Lord, take 22 00:02:16,475 --> 00:02:25,435 Speaker 1: a slow, deep breath, Straighten your shoulders and roll them 23 00:02:25,515 --> 00:02:32,955 Speaker 1: back slightly. Tilt your chin up toward the ceiling and 24 00:02:33,115 --> 00:02:38,955 Speaker 1: hold for a moment before bringing it down to your chest. 25 00:02:41,515 --> 00:02:46,315 Speaker 1: Feel the stretch and release any tension you might be carrying. 26 00:02:48,515 --> 00:02:58,595 Speaker 1: Take another deep breath. Consider if there is anything fighting 27 00:02:58,635 --> 00:03:04,355 Speaker 1: to take your attention away from the Lord. Acknowledge those distractions, 28 00:03:05,395 --> 00:03:08,315 Speaker 1: knowing you can come back to them in a few moments. 29 00:03:09,035 --> 00:03:13,195 Speaker 1: For now, ask God to help you focus on his 30 00:03:13,315 --> 00:03:22,475 Speaker 1: heart as you meditate on scripture today. The start of 31 00:03:22,515 --> 00:03:27,075 Speaker 1: a new year can be a time for renewal or 32 00:03:27,115 --> 00:03:31,755 Speaker 1: a time that highlights procrastination or failure from years past 33 00:03:32,075 --> 00:03:37,235 Speaker 1: to make the changes you wanted to make. If you 34 00:03:37,275 --> 00:03:41,075 Speaker 1: were to make a resolution this year, let it be 35 00:03:41,155 --> 00:03:50,835 Speaker 1: one of true cleansing and renewal. Before God, Gracious Heavenly Father, 36 00:03:53,515 --> 00:03:56,435 Speaker 1: I know that your mercies are new every morning, and 37 00:03:56,475 --> 00:04:00,995 Speaker 1: I am more keenly aware of that newness today as 38 00:04:00,995 --> 00:04:03,395 Speaker 1: I give thanks for new mercies over a new year. 39 00:04:04,035 --> 00:04:05,715 Speaker 1: I don't want to get caught up in the rat 40 00:04:05,795 --> 00:04:11,115 Speaker 1: race of resolutions that are likely to fail, but instead 41 00:04:11,275 --> 00:04:16,155 Speaker 1: I want to find renewal and cleansing in you. As 42 00:04:16,155 --> 00:04:20,235 Speaker 1: I start a new year and experience your kindness afresh. 43 00:04:20,635 --> 00:04:23,995 Speaker 1: Thank You for life and for the gift of another 44 00:04:24,115 --> 00:04:33,475 Speaker 1: year to know you more. Amen, take a moment to 45 00:04:33,595 --> 00:04:36,315 Speaker 1: let the posture of your body reflect to the posture 46 00:04:36,475 --> 00:04:43,995 Speaker 1: of your heart. Take a slow, deep breath, open your 47 00:04:44,035 --> 00:04:47,875 Speaker 1: hands in your lap as a sign to God that 48 00:04:47,955 --> 00:05:08,635 Speaker 1: you are open to receive true cleansing. Spending time in 49 00:05:08,675 --> 00:05:12,755 Speaker 1: God's word shines light into the dark places of your heart. 50 00:05:14,355 --> 00:05:17,275 Speaker 1: Has anything come to mind as something you need to 51 00:05:17,315 --> 00:05:23,915 Speaker 1: confess to God? Bring it before him now, knowing he 52 00:05:24,035 --> 00:05:43,875 Speaker 1: quickly forgives. Turning your heart and attention to God is 53 00:05:43,915 --> 00:05:47,955 Speaker 1: the best way you could start your year. You might 54 00:05:48,075 --> 00:05:52,635 Speaker 1: put off making resolutions, but don't put off the desire 55 00:05:52,715 --> 00:06:01,795 Speaker 1: to experience true cleansing and renewal before God. Listen again 56 00:06:02,155 --> 00:06:06,675 Speaker 1: to Psalm fifty one, verse ten in the New International version, 57 00:06:08,835 --> 00:06:13,475 Speaker 1: create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew 58 00:06:13,595 --> 00:06:22,075 Speaker 1: a steadfast spirit within me. Another translation reads, keep creating 59 00:06:22,195 --> 00:06:26,835 Speaker 1: in me a clean heart, Fill me with pure thoughts 60 00:06:26,915 --> 00:06:35,275 Speaker 1: and holy desires ready to please you. Listen once more, 61 00:06:35,395 --> 00:06:38,955 Speaker 1: this time ask God to draw your attention to a 62 00:06:38,995 --> 00:06:45,595 Speaker 1: certain word or phrase in the text. Keep creating in 63 00:06:45,675 --> 00:06:50,475 Speaker 1: me a clean heart. Fill me with pure thoughts and 64 00:06:50,755 --> 00:06:59,435 Speaker 1: holy desires, ready to please you. Did God bring anything 65 00:06:59,515 --> 00:07:02,635 Speaker 1: particular to your attention as you heard this text read 66 00:07:02,635 --> 00:07:09,195 Speaker 1: from two different translations? Why do you think God turned 67 00:07:09,275 --> 00:07:44,515 Speaker 1: your mind to that particular thing? Asking God to create 68 00:07:44,795 --> 00:07:48,395 Speaker 1: a new heart in you is calling on his character 69 00:07:49,315 --> 00:07:54,195 Speaker 1: as a creator. It is in his nature to make 70 00:07:54,275 --> 00:07:58,395 Speaker 1: something new in you, just as he did in the beginning. 71 00:08:00,395 --> 00:08:33,315 Speaker 1: Ponder what He might want to do in you. As 72 00:08:33,315 --> 00:08:37,315 Speaker 1: you think about God creating something new in you, turn 73 00:08:37,355 --> 00:08:41,755 Speaker 1: your attention to the Gospel of Matthew, which records the 74 00:08:41,755 --> 00:08:45,995 Speaker 1: words of Jesus in chapter six, verse thirty three from 75 00:08:45,995 --> 00:08:52,835 Speaker 1: the New International Version. This is what Jesus says, But 76 00:08:52,955 --> 00:08:58,475 Speaker 1: seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these 77 00:08:58,515 --> 00:09:05,155 Speaker 1: things will be given to you as well. The new 78 00:09:05,315 --> 00:09:11,915 Speaker 1: year is a fresh opportunity to reevaluate your priorities. Have 79 00:09:11,995 --> 00:09:15,595 Speaker 1: you made a list of resolutions. They may have been 80 00:09:15,715 --> 00:09:19,275 Speaker 1: health or fitness related, or perhaps you want to read 81 00:09:19,275 --> 00:09:25,395 Speaker 1: more books or watch less TV. But what about your 82 00:09:25,435 --> 00:09:59,835 Speaker 1: relationship with God? When the Kingdom of God in a 83 00:09:59,875 --> 00:10:05,395 Speaker 1: life of righteousness is your first priority, God will work 84 00:10:05,515 --> 00:10:10,795 Speaker 1: out the rest according to his purpose. How can you 85 00:10:10,875 --> 00:10:46,115 Speaker 1: prioritize your relationship with Him this year. Ephesians four twenty 86 00:10:46,195 --> 00:10:50,515 Speaker 1: one through thirty three says, since you have heard about 87 00:10:50,595 --> 00:10:54,195 Speaker 1: Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, 88 00:10:55,395 --> 00:10:59,315 Speaker 1: throw off your old sinful nature and your former way 89 00:10:59,315 --> 00:11:05,075 Speaker 1: of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, 90 00:11:06,195 --> 00:11:13,875 Speaker 1: let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. As you 91 00:11:13,875 --> 00:11:17,915 Speaker 1: step into a new year, let these words of Paul, 92 00:11:18,275 --> 00:11:22,755 Speaker 1: inspired by God, shape how you seek to live your 93 00:11:22,795 --> 00:11:28,195 Speaker 1: renewed life in Christ. Consider what you hope to change 94 00:11:28,235 --> 00:11:32,275 Speaker 1: from last year, and let the renewal of your spirit 95 00:11:32,835 --> 00:12:06,795 Speaker 1: shape your thoughts and added to it. As you seek 96 00:12:06,875 --> 00:12:12,195 Speaker 1: renewal in Christ this new year, the first step is 97 00:12:12,235 --> 00:12:15,715 Speaker 1: to throw off the things that are hindering your ability 98 00:12:15,715 --> 00:12:23,075 Speaker 1: to walk with God. Before pursuing renewal, consider examining your 99 00:12:23,115 --> 00:12:28,515 Speaker 1: life what needs to be thrown off in order for 100 00:12:28,635 --> 00:13:02,915 Speaker 1: you to embrace the newness of Christ this year. Letting 101 00:13:02,955 --> 00:13:07,795 Speaker 1: the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitude is an invitation 102 00:13:07,995 --> 00:13:12,435 Speaker 1: to allow God to invade the most intimate aspects of 103 00:13:12,475 --> 00:13:17,995 Speaker 1: your life. While others can hear your words and see 104 00:13:18,155 --> 00:13:26,315 Speaker 1: your actions, only you know your thoughts and attitude. Invite 105 00:13:26,355 --> 00:14:01,435 Speaker 1: God into your mind, surrendering your thoughts to Him. By 106 00:14:01,475 --> 00:14:04,835 Speaker 1: throwing off your old self and renewing your thoughts and 107 00:14:04,915 --> 00:14:09,555 Speaker 1: actions in Christ, you can pursue the fullness of your 108 00:14:09,595 --> 00:14:14,955 Speaker 1: new nature. For you or created to be like God, 109 00:14:16,315 --> 00:14:22,315 Speaker 1: truly righteous and holy. What is the one area that 110 00:14:22,395 --> 00:14:25,595 Speaker 1: your new nature can begin to be formed in the 111 00:14:25,755 --> 00:14:59,395 Speaker 1: likeness of Christ. Let the new year stir your affection 112 00:14:59,555 --> 00:15:03,235 Speaker 1: for Christ as you seek to throw off your old 113 00:15:03,355 --> 00:15:09,515 Speaker 1: sinful nature, find renewal in Christ restores you in accordance 114 00:15:09,555 --> 00:15:18,275 Speaker 1: to the renewal promised in His word. Let's pray, Lord Jesus, 115 00:15:20,435 --> 00:15:24,235 Speaker 1: thank you for this new year. I pray with the 116 00:15:24,275 --> 00:15:27,915 Speaker 1: Psalmist and ask that you would create in me a 117 00:15:28,115 --> 00:15:35,515 Speaker 1: pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. This 118 00:15:35,595 --> 00:15:38,475 Speaker 1: new year to be one where my focus is steadfastly 119 00:15:38,635 --> 00:15:43,795 Speaker 1: set on You help me to do so, not just 120 00:15:43,835 --> 00:15:48,475 Speaker 1: in these first few days and weeks, but all year long. 121 00:15:50,195 --> 00:15:52,555 Speaker 1: I'm excited to see what this year holds as I 122 00:15:52,595 --> 00:15:59,235 Speaker 1: walk faithfully with you in your name, I pray, Amen, 123 00:16:03,075 --> 00:16:06,995 Speaker 1: If you make a resolution, let it be to make 124 00:16:07,075 --> 00:16:11,315 Speaker 1: this new year one of renewal, as you seek first 125 00:16:11,355 --> 00:16:18,555 Speaker 1: the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Until next time, 126 00:16:20,195 --> 00:16:21,635 Speaker 1: may you abide in Christ.