Pastor Stephen Dedman

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬

As the final hours of 2024 approach, it’s natural to reflect over the past year. For some, it was a year of blessings and triumphs. For others, it may have been a season of trials and uncertainty. Yet, regardless of how we perceive the year, one truth remains constant: God was with us through it all.

Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that God is always at work, creating new opportunities even when we feel lost or weary. As we anticipate the beginning of a new year, it’s an invitation to embrace hope and trust in His plans for us.

Take a moment to consider how God has provided for you this year. Maybe He brought unexpected joy through a challenge, deepened a relationship, or answered a prayer you’ve held in your heart. Perhaps there were moments when you felt His presence most clearly in the quiet of your struggles.

The turning of the calendar is not just about starting over; it’s about stepping forward with renewed faith. The same God who brought you through this year is already preparing the way for you in 2025.

Pray

Lord, thank You for walking with me through every step of this year. As 2024 ends, I lay my triumphs and trials at Your feet, trusting that You are doing a new thing in my life. Open my heart to see the paths You are preparing and give me the courage to follow You into the unknown. May 2025 be a year of deeper faith, renewed purpose, and abiding joy in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬

This passage is nestled within the lament (or cry) of the prophet Jeremiah during a time of deep distress for the people of Israel. Despite the hardships, Jeremiah finds his hope in the faithfulness of God. These verses serve as a reminder that God’s love is steadfast, His mercies are endless, and each new day is an opportunity to witness His faithfulness.

As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s carry the assurance of God’s faithfulness into the unknown terrain of the coming days, weeks, and months. Pause to reflect on the moments God sustained you, guided you, and showered you with His mercy throughout the year. Recognize that just as His mercies were new every morning in the past, they will continue to be so in 2024.

Take a moment to surrender your plans, hopes, and fears for the future to the One whose faithfulness knows no bounds. Set aside some time for prayer, expressing gratitude for God’s faithfulness in the past year and seeking His guidance for the one to come. Trust that, no matter what the new year holds, God’s love will remain steadfast, and His mercies will be there to meet you each morning.

Pray

Lord, I confess my fears or anxieties about the unknown future. Replace them with a deep trust in Your providence. Let Your light illuminate my path, and may I walk confidently, knowing that Your love surrounds me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬

Jesus traveled through every city and village, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. As His disciples, we are called to share this same message with the world. The kingdom of God represents His reign, His love, and His salvation offered to all.

The presence of the twelve disciples with Jesus is significant. It underscores the idea that discipleship involves a close, personal relationship with the Master Teacher. They walked with Him, learned from Him, and shared in His mission work.

Being a disciple consists of being a learner or student. The disciples spent time with Jesus, not just for the sake of companionship but to absorb His teachings and witness His actions. To follow Jesus means to learn from Him and seek to reflect His character.

Discipleship isn’t just about personal growth; it’s about sharing the good news. We are called to bring the glad tidings of God’s kingdom to those around us. Just think about how you could brighten someone’s day just by sharing the good news of Jesus with them. 

Are you actively learning from Jesus and sharing the good news of His kingdom with others? Are you walking closely with Him, seeking to become more like Him in character and purpose? May today’s verse inspire you to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and embrace the call to be His disciple.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the example of discipleship found in Your ministry. Help me to follow You more closely everyday. May I be true disciple, reflecting Your love and grace in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.