“An Easy Way to change 7 major areas of your life in 2024.”
Everybody wants to change. Very few do or even know how.
I found a little secret to all life change: “That in all things He (Christ) might have the preeminence” (Col. 1: 15)
Pre-eminence means “first place, towering above.” Here is the secret of change: “When Christ is the first place, towering above all else, all I have to do is focus on Him…and I change!
Check out these seven areas for change…and let’s get started in 2024:
Your THOUGHT LIFE
All change starts with a change in your thoughts.
We think continually about sports, hobbies, politics, social media, Hollywood actors, money, houses, clothes, furniture, etc.
Put Christ above them all.
“Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3: 2)
Start “unplugging” from conversations that are not fitting for Christ to be a part of.
Re-focus your mind on Him during those conversations or find a pleasant way to be excused from them.
2. Your TEMPTATIONS
When you are trying to overcome a strong temptation (sexual, financial, etc.), don’t just try harder.
Replace the object of temptation with Christ. Look at Him in your mind and tell Him you love HIM.
Positive replacement of temptation with Christ will defeat the earthly, harmful temptation EVERY TIME.
3. Your EMOTIONS
We all can “lose it emotionally.”
We try not to, but anger, profanity, road rage, and many reactions come out of us that even surprise us!
When it happens, re-center on Christ. Admit your fault and ask Him to forgive and calm you down. Fill your mind with His peace as your Chief Shepherd.
4. Your RELATIONSHIPS
It’s easy to harbor grudges, build a case in your mind against someone, meditate on it, and plan your revenge against them.
When we look at Christ, we drop the case…we release the grudge…we humble ourselves as He did on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Believe that in 2024, every relationship that is “stuck on zero” (even for years) will be supernaturally restored.
5. Your DEVOTIONS
I have been doing a 15-20 minute Bible reading plan since 1989. It helps you to read the entire Bible in a year. You can find it here: https://bethany.life/read15
Give the Word “first place” this year. Start your day with the Holy Spirit teaching you about Christ in those chapters.
6. Your ACTIVITIES
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do EVERYTHING in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3: 17)
Your daily activities: work, driving, yard work or house cleaning, camping, ball games, fishing…put Jesus first in that activity. Involve Christ in your daily life!
7. Your FAMILY
Put Christ first in your family relationships. Husbands, wives, children, and parents all have specific roles mentioned in Ephesians and Colossians.
Ask Christ to be “first place” in your family. Do family His way! Have prayer at meals. Attend a life-giving church together as a family every week.
Let’s make 2024 the “Year of the Pre-eminence of Christ.”