LUKE 7:11-15 NLT [11] Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. [12] A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow's only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said. [14] Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "I tell you, get up." [15] Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. NAIN - BEAUTIFUL & AFFLICTED JESUS’ TIMING IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN OUR TIMING. ROMANS 5:6 NLT When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ROMANS 8:28 NLT And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Not in some things. In all things. All circumstances. All events. All celebrations. All frustrations. All trials. All victories. All defeats. LUKE 7:13 NLT When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said. The difference between sympathy and compassion is action. I don’t know what problems you have or what you desire from God in 2024. But know this: God is never late. His timing is always perfect. LUKE 7:14 NLT Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "I tell you, get up." [15] Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Jesus never quits pursuing, even to the end. Jesus was showing that no power – not sickness, not grief, not people's expectations, not even death – can separate us from His love. Jesus is in the business of resurrecting, redeeming, and restoring. NEW BEGINNINGS ONE | REMIND MYSELF HOW MUCH GOD LOVES ME EPHESIANS 3:18-19 NLT [18] And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. [19] May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. TWO | MAKE KNOWING HIM MY #1 GOAL MATTHEW 6:33 NLT Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. THREE | DON’T DO LIFE ALONE (JOIN A SMALL GROUP FOR SUPPORT) 1 PETER 4:8-10 NLT [8] Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. [10] God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. WAYS WE CAN LIVE BY FAITH THIS YEAR: Believe God when I don’t see it. Obey God when I don’t understand it. Give to God when I don’t have it. Stay with God when I don’t feel like it. Thank God before I receive it. Trust God even if I don’t get it. A PRAYER FOR 2024 Lord, give me the wisdom to choose what to focus on during this next year. With Your help, I know I can make the changes You're calling me to make. Help me to have eyes to see others the way You see them, to love and forgive others the way You've forgiven me, and to use my influence all for Your glory. This year, I pray You would help my family to be closer, my leadership to be sharper, my faith to be deeper, and my heart to be larger. Thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus. This year, I choose to put my hope and trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.