1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

God has blessed me with many conformations for my word of the year over the last few months. I will be sharing these confirmations all week. I was reminded of an acronym I created earlier in the year on the word “strength” in which I start off with, “seek,” which is my word of the year for 2024.

Seek

To

Reveal

Every

New

Gift

Through

Him

In addition to our key verse, we find a similar passage in Psalm 105:4 NIV — Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

These verses tell us to look to the Lord for strength. If we look to seek God’s face and bring Him glory in all that we do, we will find all the strength we need. Where are you looking for strength? For me, it is in the gift of His presence, God Winks and the gifts each new day brings. Gifts come in many different forms. Just to name a few, this could be a text from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or completing a hard task. Of course, the most important gift is our relationship with Christ Jesus. As we look ahead to this week, and this year’s schedule, let’s seek God for His strength.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the many gifts You reveal to me. Help me to seek You as the source for my strength. I surrender this week’s and this year’s schedule over to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV — fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.‬‬

Today we finish the last 90 days of the year. Did you notice that today’s date is 123123 (12/31/23)? During the last 90 days, I had a purpose to complete something that I knew would be a challenge, but it was worth the sacrifice. Having a purpose for our endurance, the process to the outcome becomes obtainable. Synonyms for endurance are grit, patience, perseverance, stamina, strength, courage, ability, and capacity. For example, if I did not have a purpose for running, I would just aimlessly be running. I am personally not always running to win a race, I run for God’s glory and my health. How do we go through life with endurance? We seek God through all of life’s ups and downs by focusing our eyes on Him. 

My word for 2024 is, “seek.” I think today’s date of 123123 should be an easy reminder for us to repeat three simple words, “seek and find.” Let’s go into 2024 with momentum and motivation. What are you working toward that you need endurance? What is your purpose for endurance? For me, it is finding God Winks and the joy in the journey.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for another year. Thank You that I can seek and find You at all times. Help me to live life on purpose. Give me the endurance I will need for 2024. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV — Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.‬‬

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Genesis‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.

Steven Furticks 1MM: “Different Than You Pictured”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 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.

Christmas Eve Eve Eve is here. How did we get here? Where did the year go? Let’s do a word of the year check-in. Have you grown through your word, your verse, or mantra for 2023? Have you chosen a word, verse or mantra for 2024?

In 2022 my word of the year was Serenity which means the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. I think it is safe to say we would all love a calm, peaceful, and untroubled life. In reality, there will be many days the exact opposite. We can remember the serenity prayer and have the courage to change what we can. In today’s verse, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, who also gives us the wisdom to discern what we can not control.

I also chose a mantra for 2022, “Live for Today,” which helped me to stay in the moment and surrender my tomorrows to God. Deborah and I have found it is easier to stick with a word for 365 days than it is a New Year’s resolution. Even more importantly, with God’s help, we grow from that word. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV — Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.‬‬

Let’s do a heart and mind check-in. Our hearts and minds are connected. What thoughts is your mind consumed with? What is laying on your heart at the end of the day? We can declutter our thoughts by letting go of trivial things. Especially if we are holding onto old baggage. In Proverbs we are instructed to guard our heart.

Think about baggage on an airplane. If you check in baggage you are charged based on weight. You can also take a carry-on with only the necessities for free. In life when we hold onto the trivial things, it weighs us down. We often pay for it when we don’t act or react well with others. I encourage us this Christmas to give ourselves the gift of letting go. What do you need to let go of? Maybe it’s an attitude, a grudge, a situation, or even control. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for loving me and all my baggage. Show me those areas of my heart and mind that need decluttering. Help me to let go of the trivial things that can be costly. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Let’s do a hope check-in. Where is your hope today? Do you feel like you’re in the wilderness with no clearing in sight? Or do you have a pretty clear path ahead? Are you hopeful for what the future holds?

A running race event always displays a map of the race course in advance. The map not only shows every turn but also if and where there are hydration stations. For longer courses, it will also show fuel and aid stations. As a walker or runner, it is good to review the course. Some participants may even drive through the course ahead of time. Spectators might use it to see where they will cheer their walker or runner from. On race day, each mile is indicated with a sign and arrows of where to turn next. 

Take a moment to read Isaiah 43:16-41 NIV. If only we had a race course map of life. Be reminded of when God has made a way in the past. Take time to reflect on where God has brought you from. If you have lost hope, He can renew it. As Christians, God wants us to shine hope to others but that can be difficult if our own hope is dim.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for where You have brought me from. Thank You for the hope of what tomorrow holds. Guide me along Your path to shine hope to others in need. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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