New Year and a Renewed Mindset

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Ever felt like your New Year's resolutions are more fleeting than lasting? Join me as I unpack a relatable tale about my own short-lived resolution to jog every day and how it led me to lean on God's strength for real transformation. We'll explore the cornerstone of renewing our minds, diving into Romans 12:2 and how immersing ourselves in scripture can shape our thoughts and actions. Discover how Philippians 4:6-7 became my anchor during anxious times and get inspired to choose a verse that resonates with you this week to transform your perspective.

Celebrate the gift of new beginnings with us as we reflect on the lives of Noah, Ruth, and Paul—each of whom experienced God's power to renew their paths. These stories remind us of His promise for fresh starts and His plan for our lives. As we gear up for the year ahead, we'll draw strength from Jeremiah 29:11, trusting in God's sovereignty and faithfulness. I'll also share my personal practice of journaling prayer requests and answered prayers, a tangible way to see God's unwavering presence. Let's kick off this year with renewed insights, laughter, and a commitment to align our hearts with His perfect will.

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The Intro/Outro music is Are You Ready? by Floodgate. From the Album, Are You Ready? copyright 2002 OffBeat Ministries, Inc.
Floodgate is available on Apple Music and iTunes.
Music used with permission.

Thank You. I Love You!

SEE YA!

Rick

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Coming up on Renewed Mindsets, our special New Year's
Day episode.
As we step into the new year,let's get ready to embrace new
beginnings and the power oftransformation.
Let's kick off this year withfresh insights, god's eternal
truths and a renewed commitmentto align our hearts and minds
with His perfect will.

(00:24):
Let's go, boys.
Hey, welcome to RenewedMindsets, bringing you God's
truth from a Gen X perspective,with a mix of humor and a dash
of nostalgia.
Remember when life was simplerand all we needed was a good
mixtape?
Well, we're here to make yourspiritual playlist even better.

(00:47):
Join us as we explore scripture, laugh a little and rediscover
the power of a renewed mindset.
Don't conform transform.
Welcome back to RenewedMindsets.
I'm Rick and I'm so glad you'rehere as we step into a new year
.
New years is a time filled withhope, fresh starts and lots of

(01:10):
resolutions.
Some stick and, let's be honest, some don't.
Today, we're going to talkabout how we can approach the
new year with a mindset rootedin God's truth.
Now, before we jump in here,let me share a quick story about
one of my more ambitious NewYear's resolutions.

(01:31):
A few years ago, I was inspiredby my brother, mind you.
I decided I was going to jogevery day, rain or shine.
On January 1st, I laced up mynew Nikes, I went out for a
really brisk jog and I thoughtman, this is great, I'm going to
do this all year.

(01:51):
By January 3rd, I was curled upon the couch with a bowl of
popcorn watching TV.
Clearly, my resolve wasn'tenough to sustain me.
That's the problem withresolutions, though, isn't it?
They rely on our strength alone, but lasting change, real

(02:12):
transformation, comes from Godworking in us, and that's what
we're going to focus on today.

Speaker 2 (02:20):
Section 1, Renewing your Mind for the New Year.

Speaker 1 (02:24):
My absolute favorite verse in the Bible is Romans
12.2.
It says Do not be conformed tothis world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind,that by testing you may discern
what is the will of God, what isgood and acceptable and perfect
.
Now you've heard this from mebefore.

(02:45):
This verse is foundational torenewed mindsets.
It reminds us that ourtransformation begins in our
minds and our hearts, not withexternal resolutions or with
willpower.
So how do we renew our minds?
It starts with immersingourselves in God's Word.

(03:06):
Daily Bible reading or evencommitting to memorizing one
verse each week can make a hugedifference.
Think about it Just one verse aweek means 52 verses.
At the end of the year, thosewords become a part of who you
are, shaping your thoughts andyour actions.

(03:27):
Now, right now, today, I'mstruggling with anxiety about
the future.
I've decided to focus onPhilippians, chapter 4, verses 6
and 7.
Do not be anxious aboutanything, but in everything, by
prayer and supplication, withthanksgiving, let your request
be made known to God.

(03:47):
Now, I've done it before andI'll meditate on that verse
daily, along with praising him.
Through the pain, and slowlybut surely, god is replacing my
anxiety and hurt with his peace.
Now here's where I got to thepoint where Philippians 4, 6,
and 7 stuck with me all the time.

(04:09):
I would write that scripture onsticky notes and put them
everywhere, put them on thebathroom mirror in my car, on
the dashboard, on my desk atwork, and over time that verse
became my anchor.
God replaced my worry with hispeace.

(04:29):
So here's a challenge for youthis week pick one verse that
speaks to you and write it down.
Share it with a friend or postit where you'll see it daily.
Let that verse guide yourthoughts.
That's the power of renewingyour mind.

(04:50):
When we let God's truth takeroot, it transforms how we see
the world.

Speaker 2 (04:57):
Section 2.
The God of New Beginnings.

Speaker 1 (05:01):
Do you know what I love about our God?
He's the God of new beginnings.
The Bible is full of storiesthat remind us about this truth.
Think about Noah After theflood, God gave humanity a fresh
start.
Or Ruth she went from being agrieving widow to part of the
lineage of Christ.

(05:22):
And then there's Paul, who wentfrom persecuting Christians to
being one of the greatestapostles.
These stories show us that nomatter where we are in life, God
can give us a fresh start.
Now, maybe this past year washard for you.
Maybe you feel like you'vefailed in some way.

(05:42):
Let me encourage you withRevelation 21.5.
Behold, I am making all thingsnew.
God's mercies are new everymorning, just like we hear in
Lamentations 3, verses 22 and 23.
That means every day, not justJanuary 1st.

(06:04):
Every day is an opportunity tostart fresh with God.
Don't let the weight ofyesterday hold you back from the
joy and hope of today.
Now take a moment to thinkabout one area of your life
where you need a fresh start.
Pray and ask God to guide youas you step into that new

(06:24):
beginning Section 3, TrustingGod's Plan for the Year Ahead.
Another verse I want to share isJeremiah 29 11.
For I know the plans that Ihave for you, declares the Lord.
Plans for welfare and not forevil, to give you a future and a

(06:45):
hope.
This is a verse that we oftenhear at the start of the new
year, and for good reason.
It's a beautiful reminder ofGod's sovereignty.
But trusting God's plan isn'talways easy, is it?
Especially when things don't golike we expect.
The one thing that's helped meis keeping a journal of prayer

(07:07):
requests and answered prayersand pretty much my thoughts on
God, prayer requests andanswered prayers and pretty much
my thoughts on God.
It's incredible to look backand see how God has been
faithful, even when His timingor methods didn't match my
expectations.
Now, just as an example, therewas a time and it's in my
journal that I was prayingspecifically for something to

(07:29):
come about in my life, somethingthat dealt with my future, and
when it didn't happen, I wasn'tjust disappointed, but I was
destroyed, it seemed like.
But just a few months later,god opened a different door that
was so much better thananything I could have ever

(07:50):
imagined.
Trusting God means surrenderingour plans and letting Him lead.
It's not always comfortable,but it's always worth it.
So here's some good practicaltips for trusting God.
One I said it keep a prayerjournal.
Write down your prayers andrevisit them to see how God

(08:13):
answers.
Two embrace patience.
Oh, I know about this.
One God's timing is perfect,even when it doesn't align with
ours.
Just remember that.
And three surround yourselfwith encouragers.
Find friends or mentors whoremind you to keep trusting in

(08:35):
God.
This week, ask yourself wherein your life do you need to
trust God more?
Take that area to Him in prayer.
You'll be surprised.

Speaker 2 (08:49):
Section 4, Building a Strong Foundation for the New
Year.

Speaker 1 (08:55):
As we step into this new year, let's talk about
building a strong foundation.
That foundation starts withgratitude.
Psalm 100, verse 4, says Enterhis gates with thanksgiving and
his courts with praise.
Let's start each day bythanking God for at least one

(09:15):
thing.
It shifts your focus from whatyou're lacking to the abundance
of his blessings.
Next, let's talk about settingGod-honoring goals.
Instead of resolutions like Iwant to lose weight, think about
goals like I want to honor Godwith how I take care of my body.

(09:37):
It's about aligning our desireswith His will.
Finally, let's consider usingScripture-based affirmations.
For example, I am fearfully andwonderfully made, psalm 139.14.
Or I can do all things throughChrist, who strengthens me

(09:58):
Philippians 4.13.
These truths help anchor uswhen life feels uncertain.
And on top of prayer andgratitude for that foundation,
make sure you add obedience.
Jesus says in John 14, 15, ifyou love me, you'll keep my
commandments.
Obedience isn't aboutperfection, but about a heart

(10:22):
willing to follow God.
Now think of this year as abuilding project.
Your foundation is God's Word.
What you build on thatfoundation your habits, choices
and actions well, they'lldetermine how strong you stand
when challenges come.
This week, take a moment toreflect on what kind of

(10:44):
foundation you're building.
Ask God to help you strengthenit.
Closing Thoughts as we wrap up,I want to challenge you to take
some time this week to reflecton how you can put God first
this year.
Maybe it's committing to dailyprayer, or finding a Bible
reading plan, or serving in yourcommunity or in your church.

(11:06):
Whatever it is, write it downand share it with someone who
can encourage you along the way.
Let's pray together.
Heavenly Father, we thank youfor the gift of a new year.
We ask that you guide our steps, renew our minds and transform

(11:26):
our hearts.
Help us to trust you in everysituation and to glorify you in
all that we do.
Thank you for your mercies thatwere new every morning.
We give this year to you andask you for your blessing In
Jesus' precious name, amen.

(11:46):
Thank you so much for joiningme today on renewed mindsets.
Don't forget to subscribe andshare this episode with a friend
and start your year with God atthe center.
We'll be back.
I'm so excited about this year.
We'll be back next week.
We'll probably have Lauren.

(12:06):
I know some of y'all areexcited about that because
you're tired of listening to meby myself, but that's okay.
Have a blessed new year andI'll see you next time.
Have you ever seen the picturesonline where they show where the
Atlantic and the Pacific Oceansmeet and you see a visible line

(12:29):
where the two bodies of waterappear to clash but they don't
fully mix.
Well, that happens because thewaters have different levels of
salt and temperature and density.
They create a gradient makingit hard for the waters to blend
and it results in a noticeablecontrast on the surface.
It happens all over the world.

(12:50):
Cape Horn at the tip of SouthAmerica is one spot that it does
that.
Well, when the Pacific and theAtlantic Oceans meet, they keep
those characteristics for awhile.
That's like showing us God'swisdom and purpose in nature.
The differences in theirsaltiness and their temperature

(13:13):
and their density create thatline and it demonstrates the
harmony and balance that Godcreated.
The harmony and balance thatGod created that separation
affected by the strong currents,like the Antarctic circumpolar
current.
It highlights the detaileddesign in God's creation, or

(13:34):
even the waters have specificplaces to be.
Now, this meeting pointsymbolizes the boundary between
two large ecosystems and eachone flourishes under God's care.
The different marine life inboth the oceans, each suited to
its environment, it shows thediversity and the creativity of

(13:54):
God's work.
And while that natural boundaryposes challenges for sailors,
it showcases the incrediblepower and majesty of God's
creation.
Now we think of this naturalphenomenon, let's remember
Romans 1, verse 20, that saysFor since the creation of the

(14:15):
world, god's invisible qualities, his eternal power and His
divine nature have been clearlyseen, being understood from
what's been made, so that peopleare without excuse.
The visible line where thesetwo oceans meet is not just a
physical occurrence.
It's a testament to the divinecreator who designed the earth

(14:39):
with purpose and precision, andhe invites us to marvel at his
greatness and seek him in thebeauty of his creation.
Well, that's all for thisweek's show.
You know the name of this showspeaks my hope for you.
It's taken from the words ofRomans, chapter 12, verse 2.

(15:00):
Do not be conformed to thisworld, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind that, bytesting, you may discern what is
the will of God, what is goodand acceptable and perfect.
If you enjoyed what you heard,do me a favor, please, and tell

(15:21):
someone you know about it.
Send them a link and a text youknow.
You may even need to downloadit to their phone and show them
what a podcast is.
If it was valuable to you, itwill be to them.
Visit renewedmindsetscom tohear past episodes, read the
blog and check out the new merchand, as always, while you're

(15:44):
there, send me a voicemail byclicking the button at the
bottom right corner of the mainpage.
Tell me what you think aboutthis show.
I just might play it on afuture episode.
Until next week.
I'm Rick.
I love you, see ya.

(16:16):
The intro and outro music forthe Renewed Mindsets podcast is
Are you Ready?
By Floodgate From the album Areyou Ready?
Copyright 2002, offbeatMinistries Incorporated.
Floodgate can be found on AppleMusic and iTunes.
Music used with permission.

Speaker 2 (16:38):
But what happened to the baby New Year?
He ran away.
You see, little Happy wasanything but happy here and I
didn't know a thing about it.