GOOD BYE 2023, HELLO 2024!

December 31, 2023

Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Focus: Matthew 6:33-34 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Father God, here we are at the beginning of another year.  Thank You for 2023 and all the lessons we learned.  Thank You for Your protection, guidance and blessings.  Help us face 2024 with faith that You have got our backs.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y’ALL!!

Man! 2023 just zipped by, didn’t it?  Now 2024 is here.  As I look back over the past year, I am amazed at all that I have accomplished and experienced.  The most amazing thing is this blog.  I never dreamed that I would be doing anything like this. But God did.  And He brought me to it and has guided me all the way. As I have shared, I find that I have learned as I have shared.  I have shared things that I wonder where that came from.  I can only say that it comes from God.  I see times that I have been hindered along the way by illness, computer problems and monetary issues too. But God has moved and has healed, fixed and provided all that I needed.  I have found myself reaching out to people in the grocery store, the ER waiting room and other odd places to reach out and pray for them. 

The other day, I passed one lady at Wal-Mart, reached out to her because she had “Jesus” on her sweatshirt.  I handed her my card about Bringing Jesus N2 Focus.  Her eyes teared up and she said that I had no idea just how much she needed the contact of another Christian.  Her husband had just been diagnosed with cancer and she was still in shock.  I prayed with her right then and there.  I never learned her name but God knows her and her situation.  That was all that was needed. Be open to those nudges of the Holy Spirit.  You may never know the impact you make here but in heaven you will learn just how much you impacted the lives of others.

Now, Jesus said, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).  I know a chronic worrier.  They worry over things over which they have no control and which their worry cannot change in any way.  They are a Christian and a prayer warrior, but they worry.  My dad told me that worry can be a sin.  When we turn an issue over to God, we are to leave it in His very capable hands.  To worry about it is, to me, doubting that God can take care of the issue.  I have been accused of not caring about things because when I leave it with God, I try my best not to worry about it anymore.  It’s not that I don’t care, I do, but I can’t worry because God has it and it is no longer mine to deal with. 

2024 has three hundred and sixty-six days to live through.  A lot of days in which to worry.  But worry ruins any day.  Worry not only affects our feelings and emotions it also affects our bodies.  Panic attacks and depression, irritability, headaches, upset stomach, breathing difficulties and a racing heart.  It can raise blood pressure and cause extreme fatigue.  And these are just a few of the problems that worry can cause. Is it worth it to worry?  Think about it.

I know I have discussed with you what faith is. Personally, I think faith is rather simple and yet, at the same time, quite hard.  Simple – like sitting in a chair.  You just do it.  Hard – letting go and letting God do His will in our lives.  It is so hard to let someone else be in control.  But God is not just any old someone else.  He is our Creator.  He knew us before our conception.  He knit our bones and sinews together in our mother’s womb.  He knows all that we have done, both secret and out in the open.  He know what our future holds.  I find that so mind-blowing.  I often wonder about my future but I don’t know if I could handle knowing what will happen to me and mine in the future.  It might just scare me to death.

I have never taken a verse of scripture as a personal verse, but I think that I will for 2024.  Matthew 6:33-34 will be my verse this year.  I’m going to type it out and pin it to the wall above my computer.   I will try to apply it to my life daily. My pastor has a saying, “Word first, then the world.”  Jesus said to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. That is the Word first.  Once I have sought the Word, then I will be able to take on the world.  Not alone, I will have God with me. 

I want to challenge you to do the same.  Not necessarily the same verse but I want you to ask God to guide you to a verse that you can make your verse for 2024.  One that He wants you to focus on for 2024.  Spend your time with God every day.  An hour, a half hour.  Just spend time with God, dying out to sin and the world and focus on communing with God during that time. I’ll bet that 2024 will be a banner year in your walk with God if you do.  I am looking forward to seeing what God will do in my life this year.  I pray that you are too.

I know this is short today but 2023 is a short timer.  There are less than 2 hours left in this year.  I pray that 2024 will be a year of spiritual growth and faith for all of us.

Father God,  I lift up everyone that this blog is meant to reach.  I pray that You will pull them to You and wrap Your love around them.  Help us all to be a witness of You.  Help us to reach out to those in need, now matter where we are.  Thank You for another year in which to serve You.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Food For Thought

1. Look at 2023.  Did you accomplish what God wanted you to do?  Why or why not?
2. Are you a worrier?  What can you do about it?
3. Can you reach out to strangers to pray and comfort?  Will you?
4. Search out a verse to focus on in 2024.
5. Challenge: spend a block of time with God daily in 2024.  Keep a journal, if you wish, and look at it next year at this time to see what God has done in your life.