This message presents a powerful vision for spiritual growth through 26 practical hopes and prayers for the year ahead, grounded in the foundational truth of Psalm 97:1—that the Lord reigns and the coastlands should be glad. At its heart lies a crucial distinction: the Bible isn't merely good advice that presumes on our ability to change ourselves; it's good news announcing what God has already accomplished through Jesus Christ. This announcement—that God became man, lived the life we couldn't live, died the death we deserved, and rose victorious—demands a response that reorients our entire existence. The message challenges us to move beyond casual Christianity into disciplined discipleship, starting with reading Scripture not to master the text but to be mastered by it, discovering Jesus on every page. We're invited into prayer that goes beyond manipulation or wish-lists into genuine communion with God, including the challenging practice of silent prayer where we simply acknowledge His sovereignty. The practical applications span every area of life: enjoying what God has given us, cultivating gratitude, working wholeheartedly, forgiving the inexcusable because we've been forgiven, opening our homes in hospitality, speaking life, living generously, and setting tables instead of building thrones. This isn't about self-improvement through willpower but about allowing the gospel to transform how we see God, ourselves, and others, ultimately leading us toward the eschatological feast where Christ will welcome His bride.