“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” –

Brian Tracy

Ahh! A brand-new year is upon us! New opportunities for growing deeper in our relationship with God, family, and friends. New ministry endeavors. New possibilities for dreams and goals to be fulfilled. New adventures with God, family and friends. New occasions for fun and making great memories. New times of refreshment and relaxation. New opportunities to learn. It’s truly a new year of endless possibilities! Take the time to get together with God and ask Him what He has in store for you. Also share your heart, thoughts, and desires with God about this fresh, brand-new year. Each new year is like an easel containing 365 fresh, clean canvases. Give God the paintbrush and trust Him to create and perfect one masterpiece of a year for you!

No matter what unfolds during this year, make the commitment to stay close to the Lord, find out and learn as much as you can about Him and through Him, seek to be as close to His beautiful heart as possible, and serve, obey, and love God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. Let’s commit to thanking God each and every day…celebrating God ‘s great love and his wonderful gift of life each day we have breath…fully loving and appreciating our magnificent God, family, friends, church family, and every loved one God places in our life…being grateful for even the smallest things…and making as much of a difference as we can in the areas God tells us to.

Happy New Year! Praying you and your loved ones truly celebrate each day throughout the precious gift of this brand-new year! May this year be such an amazing adventure with God, that you look back on December 31 with incredible memories of this precious, once-in-a-lifetime gift!

“The most holy and important practice in the spiritual life is the presence of God–that is, every moment to take great pleasure that God is with you.”

– Brother Lawrence 

Our Vision Casting Word for 2024 is Presence.

In 2024, we’re calling everyone to a renewed commitment to read, understand, believe, and obey God’s Word. This year’s consecration devotional material will focus on the attributes of God.  Which is a part of our annual theme for 2024 ” God’s Relational Presence:

Will you choose to look to see God and honor him in everything you do in the New Year? Early in Genesis, we see God with Adam and Eve in the Garden. We see a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. When sin entered the world, all that changed. 

Over time, God’s people built a tent, which became a temple—a place God’s presence would uniquely reside called the Holy of Holies. Only a High Priest could enter during a certain time a year on the Day of Atonement bringing a sacrificial lamb. Fast forward: God sent Jesus into the world, died for our sins as the ultimate sacrifice, the veil was torn, and Jesus resurrected three days later, overcoming death to bring life to all of humanity. God then imparted his Holy Spirit, leaving his presence in us. We no longer compartmentalize God’s presence to only certain places at certain times; now, every person has direct access to God. 

To further remind us, the Apostle Paul writes a letter to the Church of Corinth. He uses strong language how we see ourselves vertically with God and horizontally toward others. “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:9‬ . “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16‬.‭

Now, a new paradigm has arrived: our bodies are a walking temple of the Holy Spirit. I’m reminded that as followers of Jesus, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives will help us do the right thing in all circumstances. His presence is with us always. 

Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:20 says, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” You might be struggling to see God’s presence during your week. God works in all things at all times in all circumstances whatever it may be. He is a holy God with a complete love that invades our very being through Christ. 

God longs for his life to invade your life. It starts with a paradigm shift that God cares about your life whatever you are doing to fill it. You are his temple with his presence alive in you. His Spirit guides you, comforts, and counsels you! John 14:26 says, “But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.”

‭God isn’t just present on Sunday at church. He has sent his presence through his followers to experience his presence every single day in every moment. His presence is right with you as you are raising kids, navigating ethical decisions at work, being a good neighbor, in retirement or just simply living through your ordinary everyday routines. As the Father has sent Jesus, he is sending us into our world for his purposes. Where is God reminding you to see his presence to do the right next thing? How are you seeing God’s presence in your everyday life? Where is he asking you to go? Prayer: Jesus, you are enough. May your presence guide me to do the right thing in all things. Help me to see your presence every day. May your presence empower me to walk faithfully in the ordinary and see the beauty in your presence in whatever I do. Amen. 

“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” 

Matthew 28:20