Gratitude, Hope, and Prayer for the New Year

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude as a Pathway to Growth

Reflecting on the past year, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude. Despite not being where we hoped to be, we acknowledge that we have grown and are not where we used to be. This gratitude is a testament to God's goodness and our spiritual growth. By looking back with gratitude, we recognize the faithfulness of God in our lives, which encourages us to continue growing spiritually. This reflection helps us to see the progress we have made and the ways in which God has been present in our journey. [31:10]

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a specific challenge you faced this past year. How can you express gratitude for the growth and lessons learned through that experience today?

Day 2: Divine Gifts Beyond Material Wealth

Looking up to God, we find our help and hope in Him, who provides perfect gifts such as peace, love, and joy. These gifts are not dependent on material wealth but are essential for our spiritual well-being. By focusing on these divine gifts, we strengthen our faith and trust in God's provision. This perspective shift allows us to appreciate the intangible blessings that enrich our lives and contribute to our spiritual growth. [32:09]

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one non-material gift from God that you have received recently. How can you nurture and share this gift with others today?

Day 3: Embracing Hope and Purpose

As we look forward, we embrace the promises of God, which are steadfast and true. In times of uncertainty, we are reminded of the hope and purpose that God provides, as exemplified by Jeremiah's message to Israel. This hope is grounded in God's unfailing presence and guidance, encouraging us to live a life filled with purpose, love, and hope. By trusting in God's plans, we can navigate uncertainty with confidence and assurance. [36:50]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel uncertain about the future? How can you actively trust in God's promises and seek His guidance in that area today?

Day 4: The Transformative Power of Prayer

Prayer is the foundation of our spiritual journey, and as we enter a new year, we are encouraged to participate in a week of prayer and fasting. This time of reflection and seeking God's presence is crucial for our spiritual growth and direction. Through prayer, we connect with God, seek His guidance, and align our hearts with His will. This practice strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with God. [42:45]

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: Set aside a specific time today to pray and seek God's guidance for the coming year. What is one specific area you want to focus on in your prayers?

Day 5: Living in God's Provision and Protection

We give thanks for God's protection, provision, presence, and promotion in our lives. These blessings are a testament to God's faithfulness and our commitment to living a life of gratitude and generosity. By recognizing and appreciating God's provision, we are inspired to live generously and share His blessings with others. This lifestyle of gratitude and generosity reflects our trust in God's continued faithfulness. [48:22]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: Consider one way you can share God's provision with someone in need today. How can you demonstrate gratitude and generosity in your actions?

Sermon Summary

In this time of reflection and gratitude, we gather to acknowledge the unwavering faithfulness of God throughout the year 2024. As we begin with a prayer of thanksgiving, we express our gratitude for the presence of God in our lives, our families, and our church community. We also lift up prayers for those affected by recent tragedies, such as the plane crash in South Korea, and for individuals in our congregation who are in need of healing and support. We ask for God's peace, grace, and protection for all who are traveling during this season.

As we transition into a new year, we focus on three key actions: looking back, looking up, and looking forward. Looking back, we recognize the importance of gratitude, acknowledging that despite challenges, God has been faithful. We may not be where we hoped to be, but we are not where we used to be, and for that, we are grateful. Looking up, we turn our eyes to God, the source of our help and the giver of perfect gifts such as hope, peace, love, and joy. These gifts are beyond material wealth and are essential for our spiritual growth.

Looking forward, we embrace the promises of God, which are steadfast and true. We are reminded of the hope and purpose that God provides, even in times of uncertainty. The story of Jeremiah bringing hope to Israel serves as a powerful reminder that God has plans for us, plans to prosper and not to harm, to give us hope and a future. In this spirit, we are encouraged to live a life filled with purpose, love, and hope, trusting in God's unfailing presence and guidance.

As we prepare for the coming year, we are invited to participate in a week of prayer and fasting, seeking God's presence and direction. We are reminded of the importance of prayer as the foundation of our spiritual journey. In closing, we give thanks for God's protection, provision, presence, and promotion in our lives, and we commit to living a life of gratitude and generosity.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude in Reflection: As we look back on the year, we are reminded to be grateful for God's faithfulness. Despite not being where we hoped to be, we recognize that we have grown and are not where we used to be. This gratitude is a testament to God's goodness and our spiritual growth. [31:10]
2. Looking Up to God: Our help and hope come from God, who provides perfect gifts such as peace, love, and joy. These gifts are not dependent on material wealth but are essential for our spiritual well-being. By looking up, we strengthen our faith and trust in God's provision. [32:09]
3. Hope for the Future: We look forward to God's promises, which are steadfast and true. In times of uncertainty, we are reminded of the hope and purpose that God provides, as exemplified by Jeremiah's message to Israel. This hope is grounded in God's unfailing presence and guidance. [36:50]
4. The Power of Prayer: Prayer is the foundation of our spiritual journey, and as we enter a new year, we are encouraged to participate in a week of prayer and fasting. This time of reflection and seeking God's presence is crucial for our spiritual growth and direction. [42:45]
5. God's Provision and Protection: We give thanks for God's protection, provision, presence, and promotion in our lives. These blessings are a testament to God's faithfulness and our commitment to living a life of gratitude and generosity. [48:22]
** [48:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:16] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[11:17] - Prayers for Healing and Protection
[13:39] - Finishing the Year Strong
[14:19] - The Lord's Prayer
[19:54] - Recap of 2024
[31:10] - Looking Back with Gratitude
[32:09] - Looking Up to God
[33:38] - Looking Forward with Hope
[34:37] - God's Unfailing Promises
[36:50] - Jeremiah's Message of Hope
[38:59] - Jesus' Purpose and Presence
[41:26] - The Power of Prayer
[42:45] - Week of Prayer and Fasting
[44:06] - Mary's Song of Praise
[45:17] - God's Protection and Provision
[48:22] - Gratitude for Growth and Promotion
[49:31] - Closing Prayer and Offering
[61:09] - Thanksgiving and Generosity
[63:00] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Sermon Clips

As we thank God, we want to thank God for our families, thank God for our friends and loved ones, thank God for church family, for being with us through the year 2024. We also want to lift our prayer this morning. As many of you may know, there was a plane crash a few hours ago in Korea, in South Korea. [00:10:24]

When we look back, we will see that God has been faithful. Amen. That is why this morning we sang the song great is thy faithfulness morning by morning new mercies I see great is the faithfulness faithfulness of God that though there were many things that came your way you survived through. [00:29:10]

You have become more loving. You have become more, more like Christ. Every year is an opportunity for us to grow, to become more and more. You have become more lightning. You shine where God has called you. You have become a vessel in the hands of God. So, when we look back, we are grateful. [00:31:10]

So many people can promise you many things. So many people can, you know, give many suggestions to you. But our real hope, in fact, comes from God. In fact, the Bible says that there is not all good and all good. And perfect gifts comes from above. We have just celebrated Christmas and we have talked about the gifts that God gives to us. [00:32:09]

We look up to the creator of the ends of the earth. Have you not known, have you not heard, the Lord, the everlasting God, he never grow weary or tired. The youth may grow weary, the young lie on me, you know, but those that wait on the Lord, they shall be strong, they shall march forward, they shall do explore. [00:33:38]

We look forward to that God who never fails in our lives. Growing up, there is a song we used to sing, I have a God, the lyrics, I have a God who never fails. I have a God. That is the whole song, who never fails. I have a God who never fails. I have a God who never fails. [00:34:37]

And he's the God that Ruth read about for us this morning. We look up to that God who tells the people of Israel, even when they were going through hard time, he told them in Jeremiah 29 verse 11, he said, Therefore I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. They are of God. Good, not of evil plans to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future. [00:36:50]

Because they don't have answers to all the questions. Even sometimes we also don't have answers to all the questions in this life. Amen? And so life sometimes can become meaningless. But in God, when we look forward, God gives us a meaningful life. God gives us a hopeful life. God gives us a life filled with purpose. [00:38:59]

The church is the only army that marches on their knees. Did you hear that? The church is the only army in this world. That marches on their knees of prayer. I don't want to spoil your holidays, but this is also good. I want to tip in here. In the end of January, we're going to have a whole week of prayer. [00:42:45]

He protects us when you go to sleep you have no idea what's going on, right? God protects us. The spiritual covering in the book of Job, the enemy came around and said, have you considered my servant Job? Have you think about servant Job? Have you, why have you placed a hedge around him? Right? There is a hedge of covering that God gives to us. [00:45:17]

That is why when Moses was, God called him to lead the people. He said, Lord, if your presence will not go, we are not going. We need your presence. Somebody, can I charge you for the rest of the year and in the coming year please don't go out without asking God for his presence. Each and every day each and every moment ask God for his presence to go ahead of us. [00:48:22]

We live a life of sacrifice, and so when God has been good for us, we want to give generously to the Lord and be grateful to the Lord. Amen. Today, we don't have George and Bob's in the back. And so what I would do. We can come forward and present our offerings to the Lord. Let. Let us give cheerfully to the Lord this morning. Amen. [01:01:09]

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