The coming of a new year brings a time of reflection. During this time, we look back at the past year and remember our hardships, struggles, and challenges. We also remember our accomplishments, blessings, and times of joy. A common focus for people moving into a new year is to plan how they can do things better and they tend to make resolutions or goals. Commonly, these resolutions or goals are worldly-focused and concentrate on exercising, getting organized, or learning something new. These resolutions or goals do not prepare people for the struggles that lie ahead in the coming year.
James 1:2-4 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
We will meet many trials this year, and during these times, it is important for us to not focus on our feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed, and discouraged. We must instead focus on the work God is doing in our lives. We can rest assured that God has complete control, and He perfectly places trials in our lives to transform us. We can “count it all joy” when we inevitably meet these various trials because we know God is working in our lives and we are being conformed to the image of Jesus. So, how do we prepare ourselves to meet these challenges? What resolutions or goals can we set as followers of Jesus that glorify the Father? We can find the answer in His Word and the values we glorify God by.
Let us cherish His Word daily as our faith will be tested this year. Romans 10:17 tells us “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Let His Word sustain us as Matthew 4:4 tells us “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Let His Word also prepare us as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Let us grow through prayer as Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to “Pray without ceasing,” and Philippians 4:6 tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Let us live in community with His people as Hebrews 10:25 says “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” And Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Let us love and serve God and His people as Mark 10:45 says “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” and 1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
In Christ,
Bob Scaia, Elder
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