Living Word Live! Crossing Into A New Year

Devotional

Day 1: Be Strong and Courageous: Remember God’s Provision

As a new year approaches, you are invited to look back and remember how God has carried you. Recall the “water from the rock,” the daily manna, the Red Sea moments in your own story, and let those memories steady your soul. God has not changed; the One who walked with you yesterday will not abandon you tomorrow. Hold to His instruction—don’t drift left or right—and let His Word shape your thinking and your steps. Confidence grows when you rehearse His faithfulness and step forward with Him. [37:10]

Joshua 1:1–9: After Moses’ death, the Lord told Joshua to rise and lead the people across the Jordan into the land He was giving them. Every place their feet would tread was promised, with borders marked from the wilderness to the sea. No enemy would ultimately prevail, because the Lord who stood with Moses would stand with Joshua and would not abandon him. Joshua was urged to be brave and resolute, to keep the instruction given through Moses on his lips and in his thoughts, living it out without swerving. Then his way would be fruitful. The Lord’s charge concluded: take heart, don’t be paralyzed by fear or sorrow, for I am with you wherever you go.

Reflection: List three concrete ways God provided for you in the past year; how could remembering these shape a decision you must make this month?

Day 2: Step In First: Faith That Moves Floodwaters

There are moments when the river is at flood stage and the only way through is to put your feet in first. God invites you to participate with Him, not to sit back and watch life go by. Like the priests who carried the Ark, you may feel the surge and hear the roar, yet the call remains: step in. As you move in obedience, God makes a way; He piles up what threatened to sweep you away, and you cross on ground He provides. He has your back, and His timing is good. [52:15]

Joshua 3:7–13: The Lord told Joshua He would make it clear to all Israel that He was with him, just as with Moses. The priests were to carry the Ark to the river’s edge and step into the water. The people would know the living God was among them and would drive out the nations before them. As soon as the priests’ feet touched the water, the flow from upstream would be cut off and stand in a great heap, opening the way for all to pass.

Reflection: Where is your “flood-stage” situation right now, and what is one small, specific step of obedience you sense God asking you to take before the waters part?

Day 3: Consecrate Yourself: Ready Hearts, Ready Steps

Preparation makes room for God’s wonders. Consecration is simply setting yourself apart—your calendar, your habits, your attention—for His purposes. This life with God is not passive; it’s not about letting Him be the pack mule while we spectate. When you align your heart and get ready to move when He moves, you find your place in His larger story, like joining a parade at precisely the right moment. Choose practices that keep you focused and available, and let tomorrow’s “amazing things” begin today in a willing heart. [54:39]

Joshua 3:1–5: Early in the morning the people moved to the Jordan and camped there. After three days, officers gave instructions: when you see the Ark carried by the Levites, follow, because you haven’t traveled this way before—but keep a respectful distance. Joshua told the people to set themselves apart, for on the next day the Lord would do remarkable things among them.

Reflection: What one practice of consecration—like a set prayer time, Scripture meditation, or an act of service—will you adopt for the next 30 days, and where will it fit in your daily rhythm?

Day 4: Gather Stones: Mark His Faithfulness and Tell It

When God shows up, take note. The twelve stones from the river’s middle became a visible reminder of a day when God made a way where there wasn’t one. Memorials matter—journal entries, a note tucked in your Bible, a simple keepsake on a shelf—so future conversations can start with, “Let me tell you what God did here.” These are not objects of worship; they are witnesses that spark gratitude and testimony. Let your home, your pockets, and even your stories carry evidence that the Lord met you and moved you forward. [01:04:09]

Joshua 4:1–7: After everyone finished crossing, the Lord told Joshua to appoint twelve men to take twelve stones from the riverbed where the priests had stood. The stones were to be carried to their lodging place and set down as a sign. In days to come, when children asked what the stones meant, parents would say that the waters of the Jordan stopped before the Ark of the Lord, and these stones were placed to remember it forever.

Reflection: What tangible reminder will you set up this week—and where will you place it—so that someone can ask about it and hear how God met you?

Day 5: Cross Over in His Presence, Let Go

Step into the new year unburdened, trusting the One who promises never to abandon you. Consecrate what is ahead, release what God has forgiven, and keep your eyes forward even when “vultures” circle with fear or distraction. The same hand that held back the waters will steady your steps when the river returns to its banks. Walk with Him, tell what He has done, and let courage grow with each faithful step. You are not alone on this road; the Lord’s presence goes with you. [01:13:26]

Joshua 4:18, 23–24: When the priests carrying the Ark came up from the river and their feet reached dry ground, the Jordan returned to its flood stage. The Lord your God had dried up the Jordan before you until all had crossed, just as He once dried up the Red Sea. He did this so every nation would know His power and so His people would hold Him in reverent awe forever.

Reflection: What burden from the past year will you consciously release to God today, and what simple phrase or prayer will you carry to remind you that He walks with you as you move forward?

Sermon Summary

Crossing into a new year is framed through Joshua 1–4 as a holy crossover, where God’s people remember provision, receive courage, and respond in obedient faith. The call is simple and profound: be strong and courageous, cling to God’s Word, and move forward knowing His presence is certain. Joshua is reminded of the long trail of faithfulness—from Abraham to Moses, manna to the pillar of fire, the Red Sea to the promises of the land. Memory becomes fuel for courage. God does not change character when circumstances change; He remains faithful as His people step into the unknown.

This movement into the new requires consecration. God commands Joshua and the people to set themselves apart, to get their hearts ready, and to follow the Ark—God’s presence—rather than their own instincts. Unlike the Red Sea, the Jordan does not part first. The priests must step into floodwaters before the waters stand up. Faith participates; it does not spectate. This is not a passive life where God does everything while His people watch. It is a partnership that honors God’s promises by walking in obedience.

Remembrance is not nostalgia; it is discipleship. Twelve stones are taken from the Jordan to become a lasting sign so future generations can ask and hear the story: “This is where God carried us through flood stage.” Practically, cultivate memory with mementos—notes tucked in a Bible, a coffee sleeve from a moment of grace, even a heart-surgery pillow on a closet shelf. These markers help hearts resist fear, recover focus, and rehearse the truth when new waters rise.

A simple exercise shapes the year ahead: Provisions—name how God provided this past year. Presence—name how to stay near Him daily. Promise—name the specific promise to carry and touch. Consecrate, let go of what God has forgiven, and carry forward only what He has called you to keep. Enter the new year strong and courageous, walking in His presence, confident that He will never leave or forsake.

Key Takeaways

1. Remember God’s past provisions. Memory is a spiritual anchor. Rehearsing God’s faithfulness reframes present fear and shrinks future giants. Without remembrance, courage leaks; with it, resilience returns. Choose to gather and retell the evidence of grace. [37:10]
2. Courage requires obedient participation. God does not call His people to passivity; He calls them to step when the Ark moves. Obedience is how courage becomes action. In God’s economy, faithfulness often precedes clarity, and movement precedes miracles. Walk with Him, not merely near Him. [54:39]
3. Step before the waters part. At the Jordan, the water yields after the priests enter. This is the risky edge where trust is tested and strengthened. Faith is not recklessness; it is confidence in God’s character expressed through timely obedience. Step in when He speaks. [52:15]
4. Build memorials that shape memory. The twelve stones were not altars to worship but signs to remember and teach. Tangible mementos keep grace visible when emotions fade and pressures rise. They train hearts to interpret life through God’s past actions rather than present anxieties. Tell the story—often. [59:54]
5. Consecrate hearts; cross with focus. Set apart time, habits, and affections before stepping into what’s next. Holiness sharpens attention to God’s presence and reduces the noise of fear. Consecration is not self-improvement; it’s availability to God’s leadership. Prepare, then follow Him across. [49:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:54] - New Year reflections and watchnight
[35:15] - God’s charge to Joshua
[37:10] - Remembering provision and promise
[39:44] - Hold to God’s Word
[41:21] - “Be strong and courageous” repeated
[42:57] - God’s unchanging faithfulness
[44:39] - Testimony of exact provision
[49:46] - Consecrate and follow the Ark
[52:15] - Step into the flooded Jordan
[54:39] - Faith is a participation sport
[59:54] - Twelve stones: the memorial
[64:09] - M&Ms and unexpected answers
[69:56] - Provisions–Presence–Promise exercise
[72:38] - Prayer and commissioning

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

- Joshua 1:1–9

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aid: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates— all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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.”

- Joshua 3:1–13

- Joshua 4:1–9

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”

So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.

Observation questions

In Joshua 1:6–9, what key command and promise are repeated, and how many times do they appear?
In Joshua 3:3–5, what were the people told to watch for, how were they to position themselves, and why?
According to Joshua 3:13, what specific action triggers the miracle at the Jordan, and in what order do things happen?
Joshua 4:1–7 describes twelve stones. Where were they taken from, who carried them, and what were they meant to do? What are some modern “memorials” mentioned that serve a similar purpose? [01:08:03]

Interpretation questions

Courage in Joshua 1 is tied to staying in God’s Word (vv. 7–8). What does this connection suggest about where courage actually comes from in everyday life? [39:44]
The Jordan does not part until the priests step into floodwaters (Joshua 3:13). What does this reveal about how God often grows trust and invites participation? [52:15]
“Consecrate yourselves” (Joshua 3:5) comes before crossing. How does consecration sharpen attention to God’s presence and reduce fear’s noise in seasons of uncertainty? [49:46]
The twelve stones were signs, not altars. How can tangible reminders train hearts to interpret new challenges through God’s past faithfulness rather than present anxiety? [59:54]

Application questions

Provisions–Presence–Promise: Write down one clear provision from the past year, name one daily way you will stay near God’s presence, and choose one specific promise of Scripture to carry and touch in the year ahead. Share what you wrote. [01:11:12]
Where do you sense God inviting you to “step before the waters part”? Name one concrete first step you will take this week into that flooded Jordan. Who can stand with you as you step? [52:15]
Consecrate before you cross: What is one habit, distraction, or hidden weight you need to set down as you enter this new season? What simple practice will you set apart to say “I’m available, Lord”? [49:46]
Let go of what God has forgiven: Is there a regret you continue to carry that God has already covered? What would it look like to leave it in last year and walk forward lighter? [01:11:52]
Build a memorial: What tangible memento will you keep (note in your Bible, a stone, a photo, a coffee sleeve), and where will you place it so someone can ask, “What’s that?” Who will you tell the story to this month? [59:54]
Move from spectating to participating: In what area have you been waiting for God to act while He may be waiting for your obedience? Name one action step you’ll take in faith. [54:39]
Remember exact provision: Share a time when God provided with perfect timing or precision. How will you rehearse that story when new fears rise so courage doesn’t leak? [44:39]

Sermon Clips

Four Times In This Scripture God Reminds Him Joshua To Be Faithful To Be Courageous To Be Strong That Means That We Need To Be Ready At Any Mom Because We Don't Know What's Coming When We Cross Into The New Year Or To The New Day They Had No Idea What Was Going To Be There They Had Some Sort Of Idea But Not Exactly But God Said I'm Going To Be There And People Are Going To Be Afraid Of Who You Are Because Of Me [00:47:35] (34 seconds) #CourageForNewDays

I've Got God It's Got My Back In All Those Moments When Things Don't Feel Like It's Coming Together God Has Had My Back And He Will Continue And That Is Why He Says Be Strong And Courageous When You Have Me Behind You Oh My Gosh I Can Conquer Are The Days That I Wake Up Ready To Conquer The Day Remind Yourself Of That Every Day [00:48:57] (34 seconds) #GodHasMyBack

A House Right Off Of Its Foundation And What He Says To The To The Priest Is He Says Listen What You're Going To Do Is Step In That Water And Once You're In It Then It Is Going To Stop Now That Takes Some Faith See It Didn't Stop Like Before When They Were At The Red Sea When He Just Moved His Hands And It Became Dry Land And They Went This Time It Took Some Faith To Step Into The River Imagine Being Of Those First Two Priests Who Had To Step In The Water Fear [00:52:15] (40 seconds) #StepIntoFaith

God Requires Us To Be A Part Of Life With Him He Doesn't Do It For Us That's Why We Have Free Will But He This Is A Participation Sport Being A Christian Is Not Sitting In A Pew Every Sunday And Just Letting It Pass By Us It Is Something That We Have To Participate In In Order To Grow [00:54:27] (24 seconds) #ParticipateInFaith

But I Was The Pack Mule And I Was Done God Doesn't Want To Be The Pack Mule He Doesn't Want To Be The Giver Of All Miraculous Things So That We Can Sit Back And Say God Did That For Me What Else You Got For Me God He Wants Us To Particip In This Thing Called Life With Him [00:56:23] (23 seconds) #LiveLifeWithGod

The Fact That They Were Going To Carry Those On Their Shoulder And Not Just In Their Hands Me That There Was Going To Be Pretty Large Substantial Rock They Pick Up This Rock This Is God's Promise God's Promise And He Says You're Going To Take These Rocks And You Are Going To Put Them Where You're Going To Camp So That You Will Remember This Very Moment [01:01:52] (26 seconds) #CarryHisPromise

Not Going To Build An Altar It's Not Going To Become A Place To Worship You Are Just Going To Put These As A Remembrance As A Remembrance So Supposedly In The Scripture It That These Rocks Are Still There To This Day These Rocks Still Remain And When People See Them They Say I Wonder Why There Were 12 Rocks Here And They Can Tell The Story Of What That Is When [01:02:18] (35 seconds) #RememberTheRocks

You Might Want To Stop And Think About All The Terrible Things That You Did This Past Year Consecrate Yourself Ask For The Lord's Forgiveness And Get This When You Do He Remembers It The Future Let It Go Bring With You The Provision That He Gave For You To Get Through That Don't Hold On To Things That You Were Never Intended To Carry [01:11:52] (26 seconds) #LetGoAndTrustGod

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