As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2 NIV The deer needs streams of water for sustainment and just like us we must long for God, because without God we cannot sustain properly in life. What happens when our longing shifts from wanting God to wanting things that feed our flesh?

He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:23 NKJV In a world where people want to go viral or have moments, can you humble yourself to just be the voice and not the main attraction? I am not the Messiah, but I want to be a voice that points people to the one.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26 I know that at moments attempting to grasp those words seem foreign but when we place our trust in the loving God, we must release the worry and know God makes things work together for our good.

"Restore unto me the joy thy salvation;" Psalm 51:12a (KJV) If one is to be properly restored, one of the things they have to do is they have to be honest enough to say I can't let my pride get in the way. I have to recognize that I have to apologize and I also have to recognize that can't point the fingers at someone else. True restoration comes when you can be honest enough to admit to say I was wrong, the blame is on me.

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭8‬ ‭(NIV) Grace doesn’t stop us from praying but rather shapes what we pray for or the mindset behind our prayer. Just because you pray about it doesn’t mean your desired outcome will be granted, but there’s honor in praying about it. Don’t stop praying!

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it." 2 Timothy 3:14 NIV Listen, jewelry may fade, crack or even be lost/stolen but those precious jewels that are deposited into the heart never leave.

“When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.” Joshua 6:20 NIV What happens when what you’ve become accustomed daily God chooses to shape up or shift you away from? Can God push you to do something different?

"And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”" Exodus 17:7 (NIV) We need to be reminded that the Lord has been faithful to us in the past. If God was with us in the past, he'll be with us in the present and the future. Be encouraged that God is with you!

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.- Matthew 7:7 NIV Have you ever found yourself in a place where you desired or stood in need of something but didn’t know exactly how to obtain what was needed? Needing help, needing a resource, needing the income, needing the support, etc Are you asking, seeking, or knocking so that God can provide what is needed?

“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Understand that even when people see the nail prints they won’t always believe, we must learn how to embrace our lived experiences regardless of who chooses not to believe. Watch out for the constant Thomas’s in your life who try to make

God has uniquely designed you with physical, mental, spiritual, and moral strength.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

There is no place that God won’t show up for those who believe.

"Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty,"... Malachi 3:10b (NIV) You can test God, take Him at His word and things will work out

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:14 (NIV)

"Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old." Isaiah 43:18 (NKJV)

My desire is that individuals make the decision to develop a shape as we enter this new year.

“The end of a thing is better than its beginning;” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬a NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬ How will chapter 2024 end for you?

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13 (NIV)

Jesus always substitutes for us, he always takes our place. He never minds trading places. Be grateful that Jesus put himself in your place.