A New Year

Hebrews 4:12

¹²For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

It really isn’t the luck of the draw.  It just happens to be where my name appears on the list of names of pastors who write devotionals for our church.  My first devotional for 2025 and I am already having troubles writing “2025”. I don’t think I have been in this spot before.  Think about it!  A brand-new month, a brand-new year, a new beginning, and a clean slate. The possibilities are endless.  Don’t get ahead of me.  My calendar is clear for the moment.

Prayer lists have a way of stacking up, but all of the people I’m praying for matter to me, and I know they matter to God.

Yes, I pray over my calendar and the people that will be added for 2025.  Some of the names will be repeated, and names that did not come off the prayer list for 2024, so naturally will be added automatically to the 2025 to both the prayer list and calendar.  Some of the names will be brand new.  Some, I will have the privilege to lead to Christ.  I look back at 2024 and see how God has orchestrated events in people’s lives. I was just a friend, blessed to walk beside them.

My calendar for 2025 comes alive!  It gets prayed over many times.  It is nothing I do, but everything God does.  He loved and cared for us in 2024 and will love and care for us in 2025.

By the end of 2025 my calendar will be a mess, just like my 2024 calendar looks. Some things will be crossed out or written in a different color or are just plain messy.  I will try hard to keep it looking great with no smudges or crossed out appointments.  In the end it doesn’t matter.

My challenge to you is that you truly pray for the needs people offer to you in 2025.  Don’t just say you’ll pray – pray actively.  Put your friends’ names on a list and don’t forget about them or let them down.

We have this New Year, a new slate, a new beginning.  We need God to guide us each and every day with our calendars, our prayer lists, and with our everyday activities.  We need his guidance and favor and grace.  For me, I need his guidance to show me what he wants me to do or say.  I’ve counted on His words many times when I’ve been in a situation where I didn’t know what to say or do.

Hebrews 4:12

¹²For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

This verse for me, says so much.  His word is alive and active. Take time to listen for his voice.  Jesus makes the difference.

Prayer for today –

Father, bless our year as we begin it new.  May 2025 be a year with you at the very center.  Help me to honor you every day.  Amen

God Bless,

Pastor Wanda