Happy 2024! Another year has come and gone. Were you proud of yourself this last year? Did you do some really hard things? Did you have challenges you faced? Was God with you through it all? Absolutely! He was there with you for all of the good and the not so good. He is proud of you for doing the hard things. He is proud of you for staying faithful through the challenges.

Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”.

While we look forward to the new year, we will have plans for what we think this year will look like. Perhaps our new year resolutions look a bit like eating better, exercising more, or spending more time with family. However, our plans for this year are ultimately not up to us. God already has this entire new year planned out for us. He knows the challenges you will face, and he knows the joyous moments you will experience. He wants to walk beside you through it all. Trust in Him, and the rest will fall into place… ALWAYS! The scripture reminds us to be strong and courageous no matter what we are facing and to trust that the Lord is with you wherever you go.

It is easy to make plans for the upcoming year, but the true new year plans we should be making for ourself is to allow our life to revolve more around Jesus and the great plans He already has for us. We have to plan for Him to be the guidance and spirit we need for taking on the new year. Can I encourage you to make your new year resolution to walk closer with Jesus this year? I promise you won’t regret it. As you walk with Jesus and trust in Him, this will be your best year yet!

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Have hope in the Lord this new year to renew your strength to face whatever this year holds for you. By doing so, in trusting in Him, you will run with the Lord’s plans and not grow weary. Have a very blessed 2024! What a blessing it is to see a new year! Make it a good one.