"KEEP HOLDING ON..."

Back before the beginning of 2024, I noticed (before I went offline - because I still am until Feb. 20) that First 5 (F5) was/is doing a much needed study plan by many of us on God's Promises ... it starts(ed) on January 8th. Since I knew I was going to be in Prayer (and basically offline for my fast part), I kept this tucked away for a "do-later" moment and I didn't share, but I wish that I would have because perhaps some of you would have been interested in this:

"Keep Holding On:30 Promises From God You Can Cling to Right Now"

I had hopes that 2024 would be a better year if I spent time with God in the first part of the year.
As I gazed through their Study Guide, I was sensing that maybe I should do this one with the F5 Community, even though back in 2020 PROMISES was my One Word, I was feeling drawn.
I definitely had been (or still may be)
HOLDING ON
Clinging to every. single. one. of God's Promises
for me, for you, for our loved ones
(but this study is only six weeks long, so I'll miss it with the group)
[First 5 will be starting their new Study on February 26 on Lamentations for 5 weeks]
LENT starts on February 14th so this could be a season of "lamenting".
Yet, I still find myself trying to HOLD ON & remain CALM as I FOCUS in 2024
in God's PRESENCE
Some of the PROMISES that First 5 chose from many more than 30 are:
Peace
Guidance
Comfort
Strength
Security
Hope

"With so many uncertainties in life, there are still some things you can be sure of When you feel like everything you’ve tried to hold on to has crumbled in your hands, and you’re reaching out for something — anything — sturdy and reliable, it can be hard to know what page to turn to in your Bible or how to personally apply Scripture to what you’re facing. Maybe you’ve heard about the promises of God, but have you ever wondered what they actually are? Whether you know them well or not, they are available for you to cling to in your time of need. If you’ve been in a season of doubt or if things have felt uncertain, unpredictable and unreliable … this 30-day study will be a lifeline that will show you what is always certain, sure and true with God."

After reading the above description of First 5's, I was certain that it was meant for me.
I seem to find myself in a season of so much uncertainty.
My life is unpredictable & unreliable (more & more) especially when you add in the others 
in my life & the current status of 2024.
I was not looking forward to it really at all, but I was clinging to my hope, faith and
as many of God's Promises I could find to cling to & remain in Christ.
I need to HOLD ON to what's promised by God.
"God's Promises are specific or timeless
and guaranteed! 100%"
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Usually I am set on the One Word for the next year by the end (or before) of the previous year (more of that in an upcoming blog post) - however, I found a wonderful book, that I've sent a copy of to a special sister💚 for her special day (even though it will arrive after her day) that will help me to FOCUS and I hope she will consider joining me. Usually we'd do a Word a Day in addition to One Word for the Year for each of us; whereas this one is just One Word a Week (52 in total). So in January the Word for each week are as follows: Diligent, Kindness, Position, Follow and for February: Discipline, Worship, Notice, Invest ... 

And none of those are the One Word(s) that I am pondering about for 2024 (again that blog post will appear soon). I considered making FOCUS my One Word though after I found this book and that would help me with "transforming my life" and it seems to be linked to one I was considering: "AGING"; but at least I have eliminated that one for 2024. I'm just not ready to focus on AGING because it already doesn't let me forget that it's happening quicker than I'd like. Meanwhile, I will center my thoughts on Prayer & the Psalms and have pre-written these blog posts to appear in February, as I keep Holding On, reading God's Word, seeking His Presence, experiencing all Jesus is & leaning into His Holy Spirit to breathe on me each day afresh and thanking God for these moments & promises, because "If We Will...then He Will!" 

And YES, I'm still offline 

(scheduled & written in advance)

"IF WE WILL ... THEN HE WILL"

On this last day of 2023, I've decided that before I begin my New Year of 2024 in Prayer & fasting (which is partly being offline, as I often include in my 'fasting'; so I'm not here, this was done in advance), I'm encouraging you to look at this website (which did this last year, but I just found out about it, and I feel that it's absolutely necessary for us as we face 2024) ... to PRAY for our nation (and the world). But, in my opinion, we need to clean up our 'mess' here at home first. That is why this Project caught my attention ... and I thank "A Three Strand Cord" for their warrior heart & this project:

A 50 State Prayer Project for Revival

"IF WE WILL ... then HE WILL"

based on the promise in Scripture found in

2 Chronicles 7:14

"... IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." NIV

They have already begun, even before 2024 begins, with "31 Days of Preparation" during the month of December. New Year's Day (2024) will be a time of Prayer & Fasting followed by 50 days of Prayer, for our 50 states, reading the book of Psalms, according to their plan and a book (pdf) that they've put together, available on their site. So rather than me trying to explain it here, why don't you head on over and read more at ifwewill (dot) com [linked above], download the full manuscript and be ready to read the book of Psalms with others in your state and the other 49 states, so that the entire book is being covered and PRAY for our nation.

My state (#23) begins with Psalms 73 and 74 according to their plan on pages 54-55 and continue forward each day following the reading plan through & then back to Psalms 1-5, while Alabama (#1) starts out with Psalms 1-5 and continues all the way through to Psalms 150. Georgia (#10) begins with Psalms 35 & 38 while Hawaii (#11) reads Psalms 36 & 37. If you can figure out what number your state is alphabetically then you'll know where to start & continue. But having the actual book (or pdf download) is so much better & so worthwhile.

The States are listed in alphabetical order and the Reading Assignments are listed after the State (some with 5 chapters, some less - based on the length, I think). I hope that they don't object to me sharing the reading assignments. But in their excellent book, each day of readings has a devotional, a main scripture verse focus, and I believe a Hymn, followed by dedicated prayer appealing to God for repentance and revival of His people, standing in the gap for Christian believers and our nation as a whole. Perhaps their Facebook page shares more of this or a daily inspiration or instruction. {I don't have/do Facebook} Certainly anyone from any place is welcome to join us in prayer. {that's me speaking, not the 'Project'} I believe that's it's good for everyone to start the year in Prayer as many church congregations do.

January 2, 2024 through February 20, 2024

Psalm Reading Assignments

1. Psalms 1 - 5                        26. Psalms 79-81 2. Psalms 6 - 9                        27. Psalms 82-85 3. Psalms 10-14                      28. Psalms 86-88 4. Psalms 15-17;19                 29. Psalm 89 5. Psalms 18, 20                     30. Psalms 90-92 6. Psalms 21-23                      31. Psalms 93-96 7. Psalms 24-27                      32. Psalms 97-101 8. Psalms 28-31                      33. Psalms 102 & 103 9. Psalms 32-34                      34. Psalms 104, 108 10. Psalms 35, 38                   35. Psalm   105 11. Psalms 36 & 37                 36. Psalm   106 12. Psalms 39-41                    37. Psalms 107, 110 13. Psalms 42-45                    38. Psalms 109, 111-112 14. Psalms 46-49                    39. Psalms 113-115 15. Psalms 50-52                    40. Psalms 116-118 16. Psalms 53-56                    41. Psalm 119:1-56 17. Psalms 57-59                    42. Psalm 119: 57-112 18. Psalms 60-63                    43. Psalm 119:113-176 19. Psalms 64-66                    44. Psalms 120-126 20. Psalms 67 & 68                 45. Psalms 127-132 21. Psalms 69 & 70                 46. Psalms 133-135;137-38 22. Psalms 71 & 72                 47. Psalms 136, 139 23. Psalms 73 & 74                 48. Psalms 140-143 24. Psalms 75-77                    49. Psalms 144-146 25. Psalms 78                         50. Psalms 147-150

This is the beginning of my heart and prayer from their writings (p.53)

"... May our nation be renewed as the beacon of hope and the bright light that it once was for His kingdom, and for the spreading of the gospel of good news to all the world."

"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN"
on our *knees in
PRAYER
*{or whatever position you pray from to God}
It's time to be United, not divided!
This is a battle for the soul of our nation.
Let's be God-honoring & God-fearing, humble before our Almighty God.
Let's be His People, called by His Name, worthy to come together
as one people, seeking His face
and mostly turning from the evil
& the wickedness consuming so many.
Let us bow before our Holy God & tear down strongholds
for the restoration of many hearts 
and the healing of our nation.
May God have mercy & hear the cries of repenting.
Lord, have mercy & forgive us!
We pray, Your Will be done!
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🎵Let there be Peace on Earth
and let it begin with me.🎵  

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I hope to be back here sometime in February or March 2024!
A Happy & Blessed 
New Year
2024!
Godspeed
and
May God be with you!
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I don't have a confirmed One Word for 2024 but a few that I'm considering ...
~Peggy
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GATEWAY Church
is doing their First Conference
Jan. 6-10
followed by this devotional & prayer
"Know Love Like This"
21 Days of Discovering God's Heart for You
YV version
{this is not my church, but a ministry I follow}



NOTE: If you're not sure which number 1-50 is your state alphabetically, just ask in the comments or I'm sure God (and the Project) would not mind if you just start at the beginning & read through - the important part is seeking God, perhaps praying the Psalm aloud as your prayer personally or for our nation.

ONE WORD

Often in this last week between CHRISTmas and New Year's Eve & Day, I do various posts about the One Word of the past year. The One Word that I held close all 2023 was JESUS; I spent 2023 WITH JESUS as my main focus, no matter what I faced, I was able to go back & lean on JESUS and reflect on all each week, each day, each moment and breath was because of JESUS. But as I indicated in my previous post - there really is no way to sum up JESUS - only God can!

Should I look back and reflect on this past year?

or should I look ahead to the next year?

{truthfully, I am not looking forward to 2024, nor do I want to look back at 2023}

That sure is a 'pickle'!

As I think back on the One Word of the past year and other years, I tend to have either given hints or subtle indications of my One Word for the next year (2024, in this case) but not this year. This coming year, you will have to wait for the revelation of the One Word for 2024 until after February 20th, 2024. 

Since it will be my last year before becoming the big 70, I was thinking that something with AGING would be a good One Word; such as Aging Faithfully, or Aging Gracefully or something with AGING since it's such a changing season and one you can't escape, yet I truly did not think I could AGE any more and most certainly I was not doing or able to do it either faithfully or gracefully so it looks like that One Word will be for another year, if I get to another year or God continues my life long enough to inspire me to write & focus better on AGING from a Godly perspective rather than a natural one. I do have others in mind, so we will have to wait and see after my time in prayer. 

At this time, I would just like to mention all the One Words that I have had since I have chosen to do the ONE WORD CHALLENGE instead of New Year Resolutions (I never really did those well either & saw little purpose in them). For me, One Word was much more appealing and purposeful, keeping me on track. I also notice that people give credit to others for originally starting this One Word Challenge. So I just want to set it straight that the first time I heard of this was when I was actively blogging with others and the authors that introduced me to "My One Word" were Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen (I believe it was through Rachel promoting it) and K-LOVE. 

Back in 2012, the One Word that I began with was LIGHT. In 2013, it was PEACE and HOPE in 2014. The One Word that I really should have started with, I did in 2015 - GRACE. And in 2016, I was in between TO BE and TO CHANGE as I made a major change, moving back to MN permanently after 20 years back & forth to living & serving in Mexico. Then after having been back just one year, the One Word HEALING was really needed & still needed in 2017. So in 2018, the One Word for me, became iBelieve. (I BELIEVE) The following year, 2019, I really needed to EMBRACE everything in a new way and all of my previous ONE WORDS & all that God has been teaching, showing and revealing to me. 

In 2020, I was given a fabulous ONE WORD from God - PROMISES (His & mine)! Followed by STRENGTH for 2021 and my key verse Isaiah 40:31 became exactly what I needed to continue on; my Lord's STRENGTH in my many weaknesses. Then I found myself in  2022, dealing with RELATIONSHIPS and rediscovering that the most important RELATIONSHIP is WITH JESUS! And that is how in 2023 JESUS - WITH JESUS became my One Word! And it's been the BEST ONE WORD EVER.

This is why I hesitate to move forward into 2024 with AGING as my ONE WORD and even in choosing another One Word because I truly believe that I reached my summit in One Word when I walked this last year's journey & challenge WITH JESUS, knowing & relying that HE IS WITH ME every step of the way and I desire to abide in JESUS more & more; to seek JESUS with all my heart, my soul, my mind and what's left in my life; however this AGING deal has made me quite weary, weak and aware that I need JESUS more & more and that I do rely on JESUS daily. Yet, I know that JESUS has pointed out and shown me that "HE'S still working on me - to make me all I need to be ..." (not just a kid's song)

[I do have a tab at the top of my blog below the header for "One Word" for a Page where I keep a record of my One Words through these years]

The reason that I choose a One Word or allow God to reinforce one for me in His Word is so that I look for this as my main focus throughout the year, giving me purpose and direction for me and the commitment to stick with this One Word in God's Word (verses in Scripture), readings, books, etc. and what I should focus on in my life as I try to overcome distractions & this One Word will change me or my life for the better. Choosing the One Word is a very individual and personal thing (between you & God, if you're a believer). Its aim is a challenge and a goal we each need in our life of something we are working on, maybe that we need to overcome or just something to help us grow wiser or better. I use that One Word to guide me. 

The books and websites are very helpful in showing you how to choose one. So I won't attempt to do so, even after more than 10 years experience (lol) - I still don't have it refined. What I do know though is that I highly recommend that you try it and choose a One Word. Sometimes families choose a One Word together or Churches do. Sometimes the One Word may come from a Scripture verse(s) that God keeps showing you or it has become repetitive in a special way while you read here & there or it keeps coming up everywhere you turn. {yeah, that's a good indicator, God's trying to get your attention} So start with that verse or a Word in that WORD and look for other verses to see if they seem to be saying something to you or your particular situation or season in your life. God will let you know. Or even if you're not sure, start with it and see how it's working after one month with it? does it align with your life (goals or situations)? A Bible Verse is a good place to start or choose your One Word in His Word and surely God will speak over & over if it's meant for you. Look at it in different versions and hopefully it will click. There is power in One Word! What do you hope God will do in your life? That's your One Word ... and 

I pray God leads you (and me) to the perfect One Word for 2024!

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Journal your journey with your One Word!

IF 

you have a 2024 One Word & would be willing to share it, please add it in the comments!