Step Forward with Christ into 2024

 

As we start 2024 I want to leave you with some simple encouragement. I am very aware that, for some of you, 2023 has been a very difficult year when you have had to deal with some crisis, trouble or death. Perhaps you have been left scarred or broken. Well, this short blog post is to help you get your focus on the LORD as you enter 2024.

The Bible verse that I want to leave with you as an encouragement to help you face whatever lies ahead is found in Deuteronomy 31v8.

“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

Who is the verse speaking about? 

It is the LORD, JEHOVAH. When 'LORD' is written in the KJV in capital letters, it means that the Hebrew word is JEHOVAH. This is the great Eternal, Sovereign God who appeared to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3). He is the Only True Living God. He is the One who was trusted, loved and obeyed by the godly prophets, priests and kings in the Old Testament. JEHOVAH is still the same today and can still perform His mighty wonders amongst His people. So, this verse is telling us some wonderful things JEHOVAH will do for us. 

He goes before you

This makes me think of the words of Psalm 23 where it says that the LORD (JEHOVAH) is my Shepherd and He leadeth me. 

The eastern shepherd would go before his sheep and lead them. He would not go behind them and drive them. He would face their foes and dangers before they would and he would make sure they were kept safe and all their needs were provided for. 

The Lord Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd in John 10. He leads His sheep (Christians) and they follow Him because they know His voice and trust Him. 

Dear child of God, this is the One who goes before you into 2024. There is just no situation that He cannot lead you through. Just listen to HIS voice and follow Him, trusting Him implicitly. 

He will be with you

There is no question or doubt about it. The LORD will be with you. He will be with you in the dark, hurtful and dreary times as well as the joyful, hopeful and successful times. So, throughout 2024 He will be with you. Enjoy His presence. Do not doubt it. He is far more exceedingly able to help and comfort you in your every situation than you can even imagine Him to be. 

He will not fail you

Friends, church, organisations and even family may fail you but the LORD will not fail you. He will not fail you morning, noon or night. People may let you down many times, perhaps when things get difficult in life, but the LORD will not fail you even once. So, you can believe every promise that the great Eternal Sovereign LORD makes to you. Enter 2024 expecting great things from the Lord who will never fail you wherever you go. 

He will not forsake you

People may forsake you and leave you alone but the LORD will not. He says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13v5). He does not just bring you so far and then leave you to face life situations alone. He will never forsake you. So, you can enter 2024 with contentment and assurance, depending on the One who will never forsake you, no matter what family or financial problems you face. He has you in the palm of His hand and no one, not even the devil, can pluck you out of it (John 10v28). 

Conclusion

Fear not. Why should you be afraid when you have this wonderful promise from the Lord? 

Be not dismayed. There is no reason for you to be disheartened or distressed as you enter 2024. Go forward with the strength and courage that Christ gives. 

Focus not on the negatives and problems in life. Focus on the LORD and you will get a heavenly perspective and divine power to help you face 2024. Claim this beautiful promise from the Lord as your very own. 

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour, then repent of your sin, having faith in His finished work on Calvary for your salvation. Then, you can claim this wonderful promise, too, as you enter 2024.

Wishing you a peaceful and blessed New Year. 

Rhonda

Christmas Acrostic

  

This is just a simple acrostic of the word 'Christmas'.

C is for Christ

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2v11
The birth of Christ the Lord was announced to the shepherds . Read about it in Luke 2v1-20.

Christ means 'Anointed One.' Kings were anointed in the Old Testament to become the rulers of their nation. God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power (Acts 10v38).

Christ is the Greek word for Messiah (John 1v41). The Jews did not recognise Christ as their Messiah and they crucified Him.

H is for High Priest

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
Hebrews 4v14

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 3v1

"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."
Hebrews 7v26+27

A high priest in the Old Testament had 2 important roles:
1. To offer sacrifices for the people
2. To intercede to God for the people

Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He only had to do this once. He has taken all the punishment for our sins and there never needs to be another sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9v28; 10v12+13).
He is heaven now presenting His blood to God for us (Hebrews 9v12+24).
Christ ever lives to make intercession for us (Romans 8v34; Hebrews 7v25).

R is for Redeemer

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."
Job 19v25

The word 'redeem' has the idea of 'buying back' or 'paying the price.' Slaves were bought for a price and they could then be given freedom from captivity. Christ has redeemed us by His precious blood. He has paid the full price to deliver us from the slavery of sin.
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
Ephesians 1v7
Christ gives us eternal redemption (Hebrews 9v12).

I is for Immanuel

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7v14

Immanuel means 'God with us.' Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. He is God's Son. He is truly God and truly Perfect Man. God the Son came to earth to save us from sin. Hence, He is God with us.

S is for Saviour

"The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."
1 John 4v14

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2v11

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
1 Timothy 1v15

Jesus means Saviour
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

T is for True Vine

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
John 15v1+5

In the midst of all your feasting this Christmas, perhaps you would stop and think about The True Vine. Read John 15v1-16.
We must abide in Him (Jesus) if we are to produce spiritual fruit for His glory. We can do absolutely nothing without the Lord.

M is for Mediator

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2v5

As we consider Mary and Baby Jesus this Christmas, remember that Mary is NOT a mediator between us and God. Christ is the ONLY Mediator between God and men. Our access to God is through Jesus Christ alone on the grounds of His shed blood.

A is for Alpha and Omega

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1v8

Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet. Omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet. Read the context of this verse and you will see that it is Christ who is speaking. Christ is the beginning and the end; the first and the last.

He is, He was, He is to come. This shows He is eternally the Almighty. He has Sovereign control over everything - past, present and future.

S is for Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

John 10v11

The shepherds came to visit Jesus when he was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2v8-20). They were actually visiting the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God. No wonder they rejoiced and went telling it all around.

Jesus is also called the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13v20) and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5v4).

There are many other Names and Titles for the Lord Jesus Christ. You can search them out for yourself. I have just given these as a simple acrostic of the word 'Christmas'. However, I would love you to think this Christmas:

Is Christ your Messiah? Is He the Anointed One in your life? Is He your Great High Priest? Have you ever accepted His forgiveness as a result of His atoning death? Is He interceding for you in heaven? Is He your Redeemer? Are you redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb? Have you accepted Immanuel as your Saviour? Are you abiding in the True Vine, bearing much spiritual fruit for His glory? Are you trusting Christ as the Only Mediator between you and God? Is He your Alpha and Omega? Do you follow the leading of the Good Shepherd?

May you have a lovely Christmas.