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New Year, Renewed Disciplines ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ If you cannot see images, please [click here]( [Shop CTA Products]( [Shop CTA Products]( [Women's Ministry]( [Men's Ministry]( [Children's Ministry]( [General Ministry]( [CTA Advantage]( January 2022 [New Year, Renewed Disciplines]( By Kristin Schultz The New Year has arrived. Every time another January rolls around, many of us make resolutions. We make a list of a few things that we want to do better in the New Year. We resolve to exercise more, eat better, keep a gratitude journal, read more books, and get organized: New Year, new you. Whether you make... [Read More]( [Shop]( tips & trends It’s easy to say, “I’m going to start a new devotion routine and be in God’s Word every day.” It’s quite another thing to stick to it. Life gets in the way—unexpected meetings, an emergency visit with a sick parishioner, or just “not feeling like it” can quickly derail your intentions. To increase your chances of successfully establishing and sticking to a new spiritual routine, try these tips: - Choose a realistic time of day for devotion and study. If you rush to get out of the house in the morning, do not commit to morning devotions. If you have multiple meetings in the evenings, do not set your devotion time for evenings. Choose the time that works best for you. God doesn’t care when you spend time in his Word, only that you do. - Choose a format that suits you. Some people opt for a plan that reads through the Bible in two years. Others prefer to read and study a book at a time. Still others choose a topical or themed study. Many people prefer a devotional life that is interactive, involving activities such as journaling. If that appeals to you or people in your church, consider the new Torn Devotional Prayer Journal as a way to begin as you prepare for this upcoming Easter. - Choose subject matter that interests you. God’s Word is far from boring, but at certain times, some parts may interest you or speak to you more than others. Perhaps delving into Jesus’ words and ministry by studying the Gospels is a good place to start. Maybe praying the Psalms appeals to you. Studying what interests you is a great way to keep yourself motivated and consistent. - Consider different media. If you absorb information better by listening, find a devotion app or an audio Bible. If you like to read and listen to music, make a devotional playlist that you can use to enhance your study. Videos or visual commentaries are other options to think about. - Engage with an accountability partner. Find a staff member, friend, or family member who also wants to establish spiritual disciplines. Pray for and hold each other accountable. Discuss what you’re reading and how God is blessing you through his Word. - Track your progress. Whether you keep a paper or digital calendar, schedule your devotion time and keep track of how many days in a row you stick to your commitment. Keep in mind that it takes time to establish a new habit. Tracking your progress can keep you encouraged to continue your study streak. - Give yourself grace. If you fall out of your routine for a day or two, all is not lost! Get back on track and know that time in God’s Word is a blessing, not a burden. Do not become discouraged by setbacks. Start again and praise God for his steadfastness and faithfulness. Pray for strength and perseverance as you spend more time with the one who made you, redeemed you, and loves you unconditionally. However you choose to study God’s Word, know that he wants to be with you and will bless the time you spend together. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ You are welcome to copy this article for one-time use when you include this credit line and receive no monetary benefit from it: © 2022 CTA, Inc. Used with permission.  bonus And now for a little something extra. . . From articles to devotions to activity ideas and how-to lists, CTA Blog has useful resources to help you and your ministry. [Read More. . .]( [Watch!]( [Read More]( [Read More. . .]( [Becoming a True Influencer]( [Read More]( [Read More. . .]( [Why Pray?]( [Read More]( [Women's Ministry]( [Men's Ministry]( [Children's Ministry]( [General Ministry]( [CTA Advantage]( CTA, Inc. 1653 LARKIN WILLIAMS ROAD, FENTON, MO 63026, United States customerservice@ctainc.com []( This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you've subscribed on our site or made a purchase. [Unsubscribe]( | [Edit preferences](