this has GOT to be my YEAR!
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24
Did you catch that? The above verse is Acts 2024!
When I first REALLY began living my life for Christ — 40 years ago — the Lord gave me this verse as my life assignment, mission, purpose, goal and agenda. I think ANYONE who really knows me has heard it proclaimed, seen it scribbled on white boards & journals and, hopefully, watched it LIVED out as much as possible!
It has been the FIRST or KEY memory verse for ‘WHATEVER” I was leading:
youth groups
master’s commissions
college curriculum
small groups
schools of ministry
intern programs
new church plants
missions trips
non-profit organizations
leadership schools
community outreaches
staff development
church values
accountability groups
and, yes, even as an Uber driver!
I’M SO THRILLED TO - AGAIN - MAKE THIS VERSE
THE THEME OF MY LIFE (ESPECIALLY IN 2024)!
I’m almost laughing (definitely smirking) just thinking of re-focusing on this verse with new passion and purpose! I know that 2024 is going to bring NEW places, NEW people, NEW priorities and endless NEW possibilities for my life and ministry! YES!!
I have been waiting and working behind the scenes, striving to develop more character and rid myself of anything carnal. I absolutely believe that God is preparing me and Netta for our BEST days of ministry — and we’ll be READY when He puts us IN to whatever NEW adventure He is preparing!
I would love to invite ALL of you who have ever journeyed with me for a season or more, to join me in making Acts 20:24 your LIFE VERSE again for 2024. And, I also would like to ask ANYONE reading this today to also join “us” in making this verse our assignment and mission for this NEW year!
I have broken down this verse into 5 bite-size
focuses to help us better apply it each day:
1. VALUE: my life means NOTHING to me UNLESS
know who you are in Christ
find your worth in eternal things
2. VOCATION: I use it for finishing the WORK assigned me
get your eyes focused on Christ and others
gotta BE something before you DO something
less social media and more real ministry
3. VALOR: the Lord Jesus
He’s King, Champion, Creator and BEST friend
Live with confidence in WHO He says you are
4. VOICE: telling others the GOOD NEWS
Use words IF necessary. IF it’s good news, you’re GOOD!
Smile, laugh, serve & BE generous!
5. VICTORY: the wonderful GRACE of GOD
Eternity has already begun for the redeemed. But, there’s room for MORE!
LIVE a life that WINS others and PACKS Heaven!
Would you go back to the top of this post and read the verse AGAIN slowly? And, then, read it one more time — but this time as a prayer of commitment for TODAY and perhaps, ALL of 2024 as well. I’m praying too!
Thank YOU for being on this journey with me and my family. I’m SUPER excited about ALL that God has planned for EACH of us in this BRAND NEW YEAR!
HAPPY NEW YOU!
Look out 2024, here we come,
Chilly (and friends)
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