Thank you for joining our Happy ReNew Year calendar devotional. Many of you participated in the Spaces of Grace Advent calendar devotional. We had so much fun that we decided to do a similar event to kick off the New Year. If you’d like to join us, access the digital, interactive calendar here. You may download it to your phone, tablet, or computer. Each week, we will release that week’s work on our website. Simply click on your Advent calendar on January 1 and then on each succeeding Sunday of the month to find the scripture reading, activity, and prayer for each day of the week. We’d love to hear your thoughts on any of your work in the comment section at the end of the post. We do recommend using a journal to keep track of your work each day.
Ready? Let’s get started!
*All scripture for Happy ReNew Year is from the online public domain WEBP Bible.
Day 1 ReNew Your Vision (Week 1: Wednesday, January 1)
Scripture:
Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see.” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha. When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” He struck them with blindness according to Elisha’s word. Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” He led them to Samaria. When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “LORD, open these men’s eyes, that they may see.” The LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the middle of Samaria. 2 Kings 6:17-20
Activity: Having a vision for the year is critical. It is what drives your decisions about where you spend your time and your resources. A vision will help you make your goals for the year. I know it can feel overwhelming to set a course for the entire year or season; but if you don’t, you will wander through the year haphazardly, and life will just happen rather than you and God making a plan and working the plan.
For today’s activity, set aside some time with your journal. Pray and ask God about setting a vision and priorities for the year. Write down any impressions, thoughts, words, or pictures that come to mind. Organize them into themes or categories and use them as a springboard to make a vision board for the year. I usually set 9 or 10 goals for the year. Mary likes to break the year up into quarters and sets fewer goals for each season. Do what works for you. Teri Savelle Foy has a wonderful $8 vision board course. Both Mary and I have taken the course and have found it so valuable. It’s easy to make your vision board in Canva. You can use their free version and just search for vision board in the template sections to get started. I make mine in Canva and then print it at Walmart. You can also handmake your vision board on a poster or sturdy paper if you prefer.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray You will open my eyes to the vision You have for my life for 2025. Infuse my brain with Your words, pictures, music, and inspiration. Then show me how to bring the vision to life. I want 2025 to be a year of living with purpose. Amen.
Day 2 Renew Your Hope
Scripture:
and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.”* Again he says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”* Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”* Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”* Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Activity: In the winter months, hope can feel in short supply. Our moods can match the short, dark days. We need to remember that with Jesus, there is always hope no matter our circumstances. For today’s activity, write down the most hopeless situation in your life. Pray and ask God for the hope to believe Him to do something new. Pray about anything He may be asking you to do. Then write it down in your journal and make a plan to do it. Schedule it in your daily calendar and follow through. Watch for how God will work.
To help improve your mood during dark days, try what my sister Laura calls a 30-second vacation. Do something small you love each day. For example, take 30 minutes and curl up with a favorite book; take your book to your favorite tea shop and read; go outside for a 15-minute walk; grow a potted plant. You’ll soon find hope rekindled in your heart. We’d love to hear what some of your 30-second vacations are. Drop them in the comment section below.
Prayer: Lord, I pray you will breathe new life into this situation. Revive my hope from the ashes of past disappointments, illnesses, grief, or abuse. Thank you that nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Day 3 Renew Your Heart
Scripture:
Therefore say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” “‘They will come there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:17-20
Activity: There have been times in my life when I have felt my heart is at odds with how God wants me to act. One of those times was this week. My help was sorely needed, and the very last thing I wanted to do was help. I was grumpy and definitely had a stony, rebellious heart in need of renewal. God convicted me that my attitude was grounded in selfishness. After struggling for a few days, I dropped to my knees and repented, asking God to change my heart and my attitude.
For our activity today, search your heart and ask God to show you if you are being resistant to something He is asking you to do. It can be a little thing or a big thing. If you are convicted of anything, repent and ask for a renewed heart. And then make up your mind to do it. With the Holy Spirit’s help, you can win this battle.
Prayer: Father, I acknowledge I sometimes must ask You to renew my heart so it realigns with Your plans for me not my plans for me. Remove my stony heart so that I can reflect You to others and walk in Your ways. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and shake me out of self-centeredness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Day 4 Renew Your Mind
Scripture:
But you didn’t learn Christ that way, if indeed you heard him and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. Ephesians 4:23
Activity: Thoughts have a way of becoming stuck in our minds. Perhaps your stuck thought is an unflattering childhood nickname or label you were given. Maybe it’s a mistake you made or sin you committed. Maybe you don’t expect much of yourself because you were never encouraged or supported as a child. Your stuck thought may be true or partially true, or it may be totally false. Either way, this year, you are going to shed that stuck thought.
- First, you need to identify it and write it in your journal.
- Next, you need to reframe it to the truth of how God sees you. Write the new healthy thought in your journal.
- Now you need to commit to living out and becoming the renewed you.
- Take an action each week that lives out the new you — the person you want to be. For example, if your stuck thought is that you are a spendthrift (and you are), then this week research how to set and stick to a realistic budget. Also, start repeating an affirmation to yourself, something like “I am careful with my money.”
- Pray and ask God to renew your mind and habits in this area. Each week keep working on it. If you backslide, simply start again.
Prayer: Lord, for so long, I have thought of myself this one way ______________. I’m asking you to renew my mind in this area of my life. Show me how to change my thinking, my actions, and my life. Give me the perseverance to get unstuck. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Day 5 Renew Your Focus (Week 2: Monday, January 5)
Scripture:
If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
Activity: For today’s activity we are going to choose a goal, character quality or fruit of the Spirit that you would like to focus on and renew in your life this year. Take a moment and pray about what God is working on in your life, what He is drawing you to do. Write your focus concept on a vocabulary card and post it on your bathroom mirror or by your kitchen sink. Whenever you see your renewed focus card pray for God to make this a reality in your life.
Prayer: Father, I thank you that I am raised together with You, Because of that, I can seek things that are above. I can choose a new focus. Please show me what goal, character trait or fruit of the Spirit You are wanting to establish in my life. And show me what I need to do to establish it day by day, week by week, and month by month. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Day 6 Renew Your Strength
Scripture:
- “Keep silent before me, islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let’s meet together for judgment. 2 Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, like the driven stubble to his bow. 3 He pursues them and passes by safely, even by a way that he had not gone with his feet. 4 Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last, I am he.” Isaiah 41:1-4
Activity: And let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let’s meet together for judgment. Isaiah 41:1How did the people gain strength? According to Isaiah 41:1 it was by drawing near to God and speaking with Him. For today’s activity we are going to draw near to God by His word and let Him speak to us while we speak HIs Word to HIm. Go back and read our scripture passage again silently to yourself. Now go back and read the same passage out loud. Finally, write out the passage in your journal and say it while you are writing it. Let God renew your strength through the reading of His Holy Word.
Prayer: Dear Lord, this day I am asking me to strengthen me as I draw near to You by spending extra time speaking Your Word to You. As I speak your Word, please speak to my heart and renew my strength so I can love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. In Jesus’ Holy Name, amen.
Day 7 Renew Your Energy
Scripture:
Now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, behold, I am eighty-five years old, today. As yet I am as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now for war, to go out and to come in. Now therefore give me this hill country, of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and great and fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the LORD said. Joshua 14:10-12
Activity: “As yet I am as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me. As my strength was then, even so is my strength now for war, to go out and to come in.” I love this section of Scripture! I believe God gives us everything we need pertaining to life and godliness to do what He has called us to do whatever our age, whatever the task. But there are definite things we can do to help renew our energy so we are ready when God calls. Some suggestions are 1) cleaning up your diet, 2) clearing your schedule, 3) drinking more water, 4) drinking less pop, and 5) shutting down social media and going to bed on time. For today, choose one of the listed activities — or choose one of your own — to renew your energy to follow God as he leads you. Amen.
Prayer: Father, this day I rise up and ask You to renew my energy to do the tasks You have called me to do and live the life You created me to live. I declare in faith that I have more energy today than I did yesterday! Give me Your energy to make a change that will revitalize me so I can bring You honor and glory. Renew my energy in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Day 8 Renew Your Work
Scripture:
For what does a man have of all his labor and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:22-24
Activity: Our verse for today says, “There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor.” I, Mary, am very blessed in that I love my work. Being a reading interventionist means I have opportunity to help the most at-risk readers in my district and school become proficient readers. One thing that keeps me fresh in my work is my commitment to learn something each day about how to be a better interventionist. I will renew this learning commitment for this new year. Today’s activity is for you to learn something new about your work or work place. Listen to a podcast, read an article, look up the history of your company. This will renew your commitment to your work.
However, many people do not feel as I do about their day-to-day work. Work may be a daily struggle, even a trial, for many members of the workforce. If you can’t find the good in your work for today’s activity, perhaps you can be the good. Stop and pray for a co-worker. Write a quick letter of encouragement to a fellow struggling worker. Smile at every person who passes you in the hall or in the elevator today.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, renew the fire in my heart for the work you have given me to do. Show me how to invest myself, time, and talents in healthy ways for my calling. Help me to see my work not as something I do to just earn money but as my mission and my ministry while I live upon this earth. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!
Day 9 Renew Your Faith
Scripture:
Therefore we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him. 2 Corinthians: 5:6-9
Activity: I love the verse, “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” There have been many times in my (Jane’s life), where the things I was walking through did not make sense. Through difficulties and tragedies, I have learned to walk through my life by relying on God to get me through. If I were to simply judge my life based only on what I could see (my circumstances), many times I would have given up.
But how do you renew your faith when it feels stretched beyond capacity? Some things I have done during seasons of adversity:
- Talked with God about my true emotions.
- Asked for prayer support from others.
- Learned not to worry about how I was going to make it through an upcoming difficult day, but to realize God had promised me faith and strength for this day only. Tomorrow’s faith and strength would arrive then.
- Memorized scripture that pertained to my situation.
- Sought counseling for grief.
- Took up friends’ offers of help.
- Walked through it one day at a time.
For today, choose one of my suggestions or one that fits your situation, and do it. Please know friend, you can grow your faith in good times, and even in bad. If you are struggling today, please leave us a comment “need prayer,” and we will be on it.
Prayer: Lord, this day I am asking you to grow my faith. No matter my circumstance (good or bad), You are with us. Scripture tells us You have given each of us a measure of faith, and I stand on the fact that it is enough for this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Day 10 Renew Your Relationships
Scripture:
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in us all. Ephesians 4:1-6
Activity: One of the biggest blessings and biggest areas of stress in life is our relationships. Most important is our relationship with God. When we establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have the greatest relationship that could ever be. Jesus will never leave us or let us down. Because of Him, we have the hope that He can establish and heal our other relationships. Family, friends, and co-workers are the people around whom our lives revolve. Whether you’re married, single, young, or old, you can ask God to bless Your relationships and also show You if there are any unhealthy or dangerous relationships you need to cut off.
For today’s activity, make a list of the significant relationships in your life and pray over them. Ask God to show you if any of them need more of your time and attention. What can you do to improve your marriage, your parenting skills, your friendships and so on. Write down what you feel God is telling you. Then ask God to show you if there are relationships that need to end because they are unhealthy. Prayerfully consider this and take the steps or consult with a trusted advisor/counselor on how to go about this.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the relationships you have blessed me with. Help me to be a blessing to others as well. Show me what needs my time and attention. If any relationships need to end, please orchestrate this in a way that is beneficial to all involved. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Day 11 Renew Your Service
Scripture:
For I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you? The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25: 35-40
Activity: God puts so much value on our service to others that He tells us the things we do for others, we are also doing for Him! When we have a desire to serve God in some way, one of the simplest ways we can start is by looking around us and filling a need right in our own home, neighborhood, or community. Yes, we may long for bigger things, but God wants us to be faithful first by filling some of the “smaller” needs right around us. And remember, what you think is small is probably huge to the person you’re helping.
For your activity this week, look for ways you can serve someone. Let’s brainstorm a few ideas:
- Take a meal to a sick friend or neighbor.
- Help an elderly relative or friend with a task they can no longer do themselves.
- Serve at a food pantry, tutor a child, run an errand for a busy mom.
- Shovel snow for a housebound neighbor.
- Schedule a lunch with a person who needs to be encouraged.
Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see the ways I can fill a need right around me. And help me to remember when I am serving another, I am serving You. May I pattern my serving on Your example. You made time for others, teaching, encouraging, healing, and serving. May I get my eyes off of me and onto others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
