Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,
(Philippians 3:12 CSB)
Do you choose a word for each year, usually something God has led you to? Each year, I begin praying about it in the fall, and this time, it came early.
A book popped up in my Kindle Unlimited feed. “Forward: Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow” by David Jeremiah. It sounded like just what I needed. After surgery, I didn’t know which way to go in ministry. I still don’t know where God is leading. I slept a lot, and I had little energy. I had ideas for books, but the publishing doors have closed for now. Perhaps, I should put more emphasis on speaking.
Almost immediately, I knew this word -forward- was my word. I might not get as much accomplished as I did before, but God wants me moving forward, and not looking back to this year of pain and difficulties.
When we commit to move forward, the enemy tries to put our focus on the past. Sometimes, fear keeps our feet planted firmly. We must overcome these temptations when God directs us forward.
We need to understand what Paul is discussing in order to know how to move forward.
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 CSB)
Paul didn’t claim to have it all together, but he kept striving because he was sure of one thing: Christ had taken hold of him. That encouraged Paul to continue moving forward.
My days are still filled with walking, exercises, and appointments, but even if I can only take baby steps, I will move forward. On December 31, 2024, I will be able to look back and see progress, whether it is small or large.
I’d love to hear if you have a word for 2024. What does it mean for you? How will you move forward in 2024?
Lord Jesus, help us all seek to move forward in Your plans for us in 2024. Encourage each reader to have a purpose or a word for this new year. Help us move Your kingdom forward in 2024. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Originally posted on January 4, 2024 @ 6:00 pm
My word for 2024 is Focus.
First, when Jesus remains my focus, my heart will be filled with perfect peace.
Second, when Jesus remains my focus, I’ll experience true unity with fellow believers. Focused on the Lord, I won’t become distracted by this world.
These are my prayer
I love that!
Hope is my word and Romans 12:12 is my main verse. After how my 2023 went this was the perfect word from God. You see I knew that I heard God correctly in 2022 then He told me He would take me to a new place to live and away from where I live now as that would be the biggest step in my emotional healing. I went into 2023 still here, still surrounded by what needed to go and all doors were sealed tight. Doubt slowly crept in, then took root and I stopped believing in my heart what God had told me in 2022. My head still believed God, but my heart was quickly losing hope. Middle of 2023 God showed me that “I” was not ready to go when He was ready to tell me to go. He kept popping in my path a meme that said… I needed to “clean my spaces, my house, my room, my car, my mind and my heart. New things are coming, make sure you are welcoming properly.” So I began to do a work inside and outside myself. Indeed, my spaces were not ready. So, when God gave me the word Hope for 2024 it showed me that I needed to be open to receiving what God was preparing for me and to weed out that seed of doubt that had taken root so the seed of hope could be planted in my heart again.
Great word.