Good day
I believe that one of the best ways to start the new year is by taking the humble approach (1 Peter 5:5,6). It's about acknowledging God and letting Him know that without Him we are nothing. Acknowledging that everything we could ever hope to, or have accomplished, was only made possible because of His great love towards us.
It's taking the time to say, "Father, today I want to acknowledge you. I want to honour you this morning and tell you how much I appreciate having you in my life. It's an honour to know you. I don't know where I would have been today had it not been for you. Every success I have today is because of you. I love you because you first loved me; because you're ALWAYS there for me. I have hope for a brighter tomorrow and better future because I know you, because I believe in you, because I have faith in your word and promises of love made towards me.
I am truly and honestly nothing without you Father. I love and appreciate having you in my life. I can honestly say that my life has no value or meaning without you. For you are my God, my Lord, my Saviour, my closest friend and comforter. You're always there for me when I need you and even when I didn't take the time to acknowledge you in a given situation.
You are my Lord. You're the one I place my hope and trust in. You're the one I can look to when no one else is around or when it seems as though no one else cares. You're a sure foundation for my soul - I can always turn to you - any time, any place, in any situation, no matter how good or bad I've been, no matter how distant or disobedient I've been - I can always turn to you because you always welcome me into your presence. You want me to be in your presence! To be with you!
I thank you that I can be confident in your love towards me.
I thank you for your faithfulness towards me. For always being patient with me. For your mercy that is new each and every morning. Thank you for always encouraging me, correcting me when I'm wrong, for teaching me your ways, whether through your word or through others. I just want to take the time to say thank you for all that you've done in and through my life.
Thank you Holy Spirit. I have no accomplishments apart from you. I have no victories or success apart from you. I can take no credit for all that you have taught me or for all that you've done through me. It's all by your grace.
I can take no credit for my salvation, for being justified and forgiven of my sins, for the promises in your word towards me, for the love you so consistently show me and have towards me - a love which you have chosen to have towards me!
For all the times that you've been by my side, for all the times you've blessed me and provided for me, protected me, healed me, being there for me, answering my prayers, all the times I've been fulfilled by the revelation of your word, by the working of the gifts of your spirit, with friends and family. For being filled with your life! (John 10:10)
When I stand before you one day, I can truly say that there's no way I could ever have earned or deserved it, nor could I ever have gotten here without your grace, mercy and goodness. You're a faithful God - and I don't deserve to have you love me the way you do, but yet you choose to do so every single minute of the day, and not because you have to or because I deserve it - but you do so simply because that's who you've chosen to be!
I thank you God, for I have nothing, I want nothing, I am nothing ... without you.
You have brought me thus far and have done all these things for me, simply because you love me ... and therefore I know, and have faith, that this year ahead will be filled with nothing less, but the same and more.
So today I say thank you Father. I love you with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and commit my life to loving you the way you have chosen to love me."
Below are some scriptures that equip us with knowing that God does the work in us.
(Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; John 15:5; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; Galatians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 12:9,10; John 8:28; John 14:10,11; Zechariah 4:6; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (AMPC); Heb 13:20-21 (AMP); 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (NLT); 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)