As we step into a new year, I encourage you on a very simple but most important thought. I believe that we are in a unique period, and much is being said and done to convince you of what is happening in our world. The sad part is that much of that information given is slanted to promote a selfish agenda to obtain control. Much is left out purposefully and intentionally to minimize the spread of facts and to keep the public ignorant and under-resourced so that helplessness increases and desperation for assistance sets in.
I want you to hear this, you have been placed in this time with great purpose and destiny. God has adequately laid out for you all that is needed to rise above the chaos and to succeed. You are in the world, but you are not limited or controlled by the system of the world. You were sent to bring change. Natural limitations do not apply to you or possess the ability to hinder you. Whatever is needed to accomplish the assignment on your life is readily available despite all opposition. The key to accessing this supply is found in a determined and unwavering focus.
When I lived in Tulsa, OK in the early 2000’s I found myself one Saturday riding my Honda sport bike with my friends. We had been riding all day and had just joined up with some of the Honda mechanics who had just gotten off work. We were all pulled over to the side of the road as we were getting ready to hit a patch of twists and turns in the backcountry. These turns were tight and some signs stated the speed at which one should take the turns. Many of the guys were aggressive and well-practiced at hitting the turns at high speeds. As we were riding, I remember thinking, “I need to keep up!” I came up over a hill that banked hard left with a speed limit sign of 25. I was going roughly 65 and began to turn, but instead of looking through the turn like I knew I should, I panicked locked up my brakes, and headed for the ditch. All I remember is standing up and turning around looking at my bike upside down and backwards with oil coming out of the casing of the engine. Praise God I was not hurt, but after my friend made sure I was okay, he made a statement I will never forget. He said, “Destination of Fixation!” I said, “What is that?” He responded, “Simply, where you look is where you will go!”
2024 is a year that will require you to look through the turn, the problem, the diagnosis, and the financial and political pressure to the promises of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (TPT) reads, “For all of God’s promises find their ‘yes’ of fulfillment in Him. And as His ‘yes’ and our ‘amen’ ascend to God, we bring Him glory!”
The devil cannot defeat you, but he will try and distract you through circumstances to pull your attention off Christ. Distractions, of any form, are intended to spread you thin physically, mentally, and spiritually moving you to a place of compromise. Compromise is where decisions are made from reaction rather than direction and thus produce anxiety.
I want to highlight a portion of scripture but if you have time, I encourage you to go back and read the story in its entirety as I believe it holds truth as well as parallel meaning for the time we are living in.
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 is the event of the Moabites, Ammonites, and others that came out against King Jehoshaphat to battle against him and Judah. Jehoshaphat set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. After stating his case to the Lord, Jehoshaphat ended with a statement that I believe won him the war. In 2 Chronicles 20:12 says, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; (this was a fact of natural limitations, but it was nothing to who they knew their God to be) nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Here are three thoughts to help you know where to look as you move into this new year.
Look Up! Genesis 15:3 (NKJV) says, “Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring….” Abram was trying to get God to focus on the inadequate supply and position he was in. Continuing in verse 5 we read, “Then He (God) brought him (Abram) outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” God was saying to Abram that his impossible situation was no factor or concern to Him. Don’t get caught in 2024 looking down, rather lift your eyes and pray, simply commune with the Father!
Lack in any area of life, or what seems to be a delay to God’s promise is only a distraction.
Look Forward! Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul was stating that his natural efforts to become the best Pharisee were of no value and were in the past, and his sights were set on the finished work of Christ and by faith and grace receiving His fullness. I want to take a little liberty here and just say, you can’t move forward by looking in the review mirror. That which is in the past, whether good or bad, is just that, it’s in the past. The future is obtained by looking and pressing forward.
Mark 11:25 (AMPC) says, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drip (leave it, let it go) ….” To move into 2024 and accomplish what God has for us we must truly forgive the debt of those that have hurt us, wronged us, and used us. We must drop it, leave it, and let it go.
The offense is a distraction!
Look unto Jesus! Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) reads, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith….” How do we look unto Jesus? Jesus and His word are one. We keep our eyes on Him by keeping our eyes on what He has said concerning our lives.
We need a constant intake of Word News, not World News.
Luke 10:40 (AMPC) reads, “But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving….” and verse 42, “There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.” There is no substitute for God’s word. It is a necessity and priority for us at this time if we are to be in our right minds and have a clear vision of what we are to accomplish.
Tribulations and the weight of care are nothing more than distractions.
I want to end by reading 2 Chronicles 20:15b (NKJV), “…for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” We must learn to rest in the time of chaos and rejoice knowing that no weapon formed against us will prosper and that there are more for us than against us. Verse 17 gives the posture we are to take, “Take your position.” Say, “Be it unto me according to Your word Lord.” “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord”. “Do not fear”, ever! “Tomorrow, go out!” There is no expiration date on what God has spoken to you, He will do it, He will make it good! Psalms 37:5