2013! Get Ready From the Inside Out!

Hey ladies! It’s Out with the Old and In with the New You in 2013! I just believe that God wants to do some amazing and great things through us in this New Year. If you haven’t sensed it yet, I want to tell you that we are getting ready for the best revival this world has ever seen - and I want all of us to be a part of it! So this year, we’re going to press in deeper while drawing ever-so close to the Father from the heart. I don’t know about you, but I desire to become more like Christ this year. I want to be a greater light in my home, church, community, and beyond! What do you say to that? Are you feeling the same way? Do you want to help others know Christ, live a born-again lifestyle, and go to heaven someday? If so, then it starts with you. You’ve got to be that godly example before them, and here are some great starter points for 2013…

1.)    Prayer – Go deeper in your prayer life with God this year. Make it a priority to stay connected to Christ so that He can show you who you are from the inside out. I encourage you to find that secret place (i.e. prayer closet, living room, bedroom, etc.) and press to spend that quality, quiet time alone with the Lord. In this time, He’s able to purify you, purge the things that are not like Him out of you (Proverbs 16:6 says, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil). In this time, He also reveals His great love for you. Know that we can do nothing without Him. Jesus says in John 15:5, “Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

2.)     Devotion – If you haven’t already purchased a new journal for 2013, I highly recommend that you do so. The purpose is so that you can journal your innermost thoughts, prayers, blessings, trials, and even record what you’ve received from the Lord through your personal study of His word. I’ve found this time to be so refreshing…especially with a hot cup of coffee at home, by the lake, or at a local coffeehouse. It’s sooooo yummy in every way! And it’s nothing like looking back to see what God has done in your life throughout the year. Consider it…

3.)    Fasting – If you have never fasted before, I recommend getting the book entitled, “Fasting” by Jentezen Franklin. It’s a great book and as Jentezen says, “Fasting truly opens the door to a deeper, more intimate, more powerful relationship with God.” Trust me, when it’s time to fast, God will quicken you. The next step is to obey. And when you do, you’ll see a mighty move of God take place in your life in His perfect timing!

4.)    Fellowship – Are you a part of a local body of Christ…meaning the church? If you are, that’s great! And if you’re not, then I encourage you to pray to ask God to lead you to the place that He wants you to fellowship (not the church of your choice). There’s nothing like being around those who are in the faith. There is strength, encouragement, growth, love, character, gifts that God wants to pull out of you to use for His glory, and it’s just an amazing place for worship and prayer unto our Holy God. Don’t miss out on this. The Bible says so. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Think of ways to encourage one another with outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (NLT)     

These are just some suggestions of how you can grow closer to God this year. It’s tried and true in my own life, and I just figured I’d share it with you. I know you want to become a greater light for Christ, and I do too! That’s why I’m sharing these hopefully, helpful tips with you to assist you in your walk with Him. God loves you and me, and I strongly believe that as we draw closer to Christ’s soon return; we will need to press in and draw closer to Him like never before. A great revival is coming. Don’t you want to be a part of it?

Remember, “…no man knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when they will happen, stay alert and keep watch.” Mark 13:32-33

Let’s get ready from the Inside Out in 2013! Love you my sister…be encouraged in Christ today!

~Courtnaye

Thanks for reading! Like, comment, or share from my Facebook Fan Page and “Like” it while you’re there ( http://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye). Also feel absolutely free to leave a comment here! I’d love to get your feedback! I pray that God will continue to enlighten you to live for Him through His word in your daily life. Stay tuned for new blog posts every Monday at 7:30am on Inside Out with Courtnaye @  www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org.  Also, follow me on Twitter by inoutwcourtnaye. Thanks again![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]