Check out all the previous New Year’s readings here.
New Year’s Reading | Day 5
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Thank Jesus that He came to serve us at Christmas, and ask Him to serve you today by opening your eyes more to who He is.
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3:15b-16
Read these verses three times slowly.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Reflection & Questions
Today is our final New Year’s reading before we begin a brand new series on prayer next week. We’ve been considering our priorities as we go into 2024. We’ve looked at connecting with God, prayer, serving, giving. Finally today we look at sharing our faith. Again we are in 1 Peter and these are some very clear instructions from Peter: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” It’s been said, “When the time to perform has come, the time to prepare has passed.” This is exactly what Peter is trying to say about being ready to share our faith. If we’re living for Jesus, people will notice and will ask us why we’re different. That’s a golden opportunity to talk about Jesus! Peter says be ready for that!
So are you ready to talk about your faith? Can you explain what you believe and why? If someone asked you how to become a Christian, could you explain it? If you answered no to those, who is someone who could help you with that?
What if 2024 will be the year that you have many opportunities to share your faith?! How fantastic would that be?! Let’s get ready!
- Sharing your faith can simply start with sharing your story. Take a moment to write down your story of how you came to know God and what difference God has made in your life. This website can help you write your story.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to the reading today.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
