7 Devotions for the First Week of the New Year

The New Year has a way of awakening something in us. A fresh calendar signals new chances and inspires us to realign our priorities. But before we set ambitious new goals or dive into the year with determination, it helps to slow down and orient ourselves with Scripture first.

Designed to guide you through the first week of the New Year (or second, or so on…), these seven short daily devotions include a passage from Scripture, a thoughtful reflection, and a prayer. We pray they help you refresh, refocus, and renew yourself in God’s Word at the beginning of this new year.

Day 1: When Everything Was New. In the coming year, we will face times when the newness of our January goals wears off, and when the brokenness of our lives keeps us from receiving each day as a gift. When that happens, let's remember that God made all things good.

Day 2: The Joy of New Beginnings. Too often in our hurry through life, we miss the creative majesty of God at work. As you enter this new year, ask God to help you observe something new each day about his unfailing love in creation.

Day 3: Something New: Hope. The change of a calendar often brings with it a new sense of hope. This year, we think, things will be different. However, when it comes to the human condition, we need more than a change in the calendar to give us hope. We can turn to God for that instead.

Day 4: Something New: Authority. When Jesus comes on the scene, something new happens. Our hope, our longing for change, takes on a different shape. Hurting people, sinful temptations, human brokenness, and disease are confronted with authority.

Day 5: Something New: Joy. We might experience flashes of happiness sometimes, but true joy is something new and different, something deeper. Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy is a gift of God.

Day 6: Something New: Love. The love we speak of in this world is a love that wears out, but God has poured out his love for us in a new way, a way that does not quit, and he empowers us to do the same.

Day 7: Something New: Resurrection. The gospel reveals that a truly new thing we experience in Christ is new life. All who believe in Christ receive the promise of eternal life, and our new life begins right away, by the power of Christ's Spirit living in us.

As you continue to refresh and renew your spirit this new year, don’t miss out on other faith-filled resources designed to help you grow in your walk with God:  Check out "A Fresh Start: A Month of Devotions for the New Year" and sign up to receive Today’s free, daily devotional straight to your inbox.