Word of the Year 2024: Hope

                                   

 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13(NIV)

 

Hope. What a perfect gift for the year ahead! Romans 15:13 identifies God as “the God of hope”. He delights to fill those who trust in Him with all joy and peace and hope. 

 

As the new year begins, there are many unknowns, both in our own lives and in our world. God doesn’t promise us a problem-free life. He does promise to walk with us. He promises to take care of us and to “work all things together for good for those who love God.” Romans 8:28. As we put our trust in Him, He gives us joy, peace, and hope in all circumstances. 

 

Every year I choose a word of the year and a Bible verse of the year. I type out the verse and place it on my bathroom mirror. I read it every day. For 2024, my word is Hope and my verse is Romans 15:13.

 

Let me invite each of you, my readers, to choose a word and a Bible verse for 2024.  If you do, I would love to hear from you. Let me know what word and what verse you choose for the year ahead.

 

May God fill us with all hope, joy and peace as we step into 2024. Happy New Year!

2023…2024

     

                                            

 

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11 (NIV)

 

One of my favorite holidays is New Years. This will come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. I never go out on New Years Eve. I am asleep before midnight. I don’t watch football on New Years Day. So…why do I like New Years? For me, New Years represents a new beginning. And with a new beginning comes new possibilities and new hope.

 

But before I start thinking about the new year, there is something important that I must do first. I need to pause. I need to think back on the current year. What has God done in my life this year? What blessings can I thank Him for? What lessons have I learned? What will I do differently in the year ahead?

 

Remembering is important. Let’s take some to pause. Let’s rejoice and praise God for His many blessings. Let’s ask Him to show us what we should do differently in the year ahead.

 

Then, when December 31st comes, let’s take time to celebrate, each in our own way. May God richly bless each of us in the year ahead!

 

A Prayer to the Child Who is Born

                              

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

 

My God, I come into Your Presence. I thank You for Your many names.

 

I praise You, Wonderful Counselor.  You are wise. Things that puzzle me are clear to You. I come to You asking for wisdom. Guide me in decisions, both big and small. Thank You, my Wonderful Counselor.

 

I praise You, Mighty God. You are always strong and mighty.  I am often weak and frail. I ask for Your strength, as I step into a new day. Thank You, my Mighty God.

 

I praise You, Everlasting Father. Earthly fathers leave this world, but You are always here. Your love never fails. You bring comfort when I hurt. You provide when I am needy. Thank You, my Everlasting Father.

 

I praise You, Prince of Peace. This world is full of chaos and unrest. You are full of peace. Your peace passes all understanding. I bring to You my cares, my fears, my anxieties. Take them and replace them them with Your peace. Thank You, my Prince of Peace.

 

Precious Child, You were born and placed into a manger. Thank You for coming into this world. Thank You for dying for my sins.  Thank You for being my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Amen.

Joyful Christmas Season

                                                          

 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

 

Always.  At all times.  On all occasions. How often does God want us to rejoice? Always. To emphasize the point, the verse continues: “Again, I will say rejoice.”

 

God does not tell us to be “happy”.  Happiness depends on circumstances.

 

The verse tells us to rejoice “in the Lord”.  Circumstances change from day to day. The Lord never changes. 

 

In Psalm 16:11, David says to the Lord: “In Your Presence is fullness of joy.” When he wrote this Psalm, David was fleeing from Saul who was trying to kill him. David’s joy was found in the Presence of God.

 

During this season of the year, we have an even greater reason for joy. We remember God’s precious gift, the Babe in the manger.

 

John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

 

This year, may we enjoy all the lights and music and food and celebration. Let us also remember the Babe in the manger. May we sing out the familiar carol with great exuberance: “Joy to the World! The Lord has come!”  Wishing all of you the Most Joyous Christmas ever!