By RACHEL Larson

feel like I am breaking some unsaid code by talking about old stuff after the beginning of the New Year . But let ’ s be real . Though we enter the New Year with the best intentions , we must be honest that January 1 looks an awful lot like December 31 did . And whether that ’ s encouraging or discouraging for you , I hope that you ’ ll read something here that gives you permission to take a deep breath and remember that Jesus is the same yesterday , today , and forever ( Hebrews 13:8 ). Our calendars don ’ t determine our joy and success , nor our ability to start fresh .

So , what ’ s the old stuff I want to talk about ? I ’ m glad you asked . I want us to take a moment to remember all God has done . The times He fought battles for you . The times He saved you from something eminent . The times He stayed up with you as you shared your heart and cried tears of pain . The times He nudged you to step back out of a situation so He could take control . The times He worked in the lives of those close to you . The times He was quiet , so you ’ d move closer to listen for His voice . The times that He provided everything

you needed at just the right time . The times He gave you a reason to smile amidst hardship .

Take another moment to think about all that God has been . Steady , in a world that does nothing but change . Calm , when everything inside and around you is filled with chaos . Patient , despite your inconsistencies and shortcomings . Gentle , even when you ’ re focused on your own needs above others . Forgiving , when you struggle even to forgive yourself . Peacegiving , because that ’ s just His way . Loving , toward your lamenting heart when you don ’ t understand . Kind , when you aren ’ t kind to others . Welcoming , when others turn their backs on you . Always Good .

Now , take this last moment and think about God in this coming year . Don ’ t think about the uncertainties , don ’ t think about your hope-so goals , and don ’ t think about your shortcomings . The old stuff is the truth : God has always been there and will always be there for you . He ’ s never waiting for you with a shame-filled scowl or words of disappointment . He LOVES you , and that will NEVER CHANGE . That ’ s the God who ’ s walking into 2025 with you . That ’ s

the God who ’ s already won the victory against the enemy and has given you authority to tell satan to hightail it out of your life !

So , let ’ s look at the coming year as another year to see the Lord ’ s goodness . A year that joy is not determined by a political party , weather , friends , or accomplishments . Our joy comes from the Lord . The Israelites frequently built altars and laid stones of remembrance so their kids and future generations would never forget how the Lord delivered them and fought for them . What stones of remembrance will you lay ? How will you remind yourself of all God has done for you as you enter the coming year ? He ’ s the same yesterday , today , and forever . CMA

Ben and Rachel Larson serve CMA as National Evangelist Youth Movement .

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