January 2025

Dear family,
I feel compelled to share reasons for optimism in 2025, regardless of the challenges you may face. It is also a message for a year of ministry.
What do you envision as you look ahead to the New Year? There is a basis for your optimism: our Father’s love for you. Your faith in Him serves as the channel through which He pours out the goodness He has in store for you. It’s essential to believe in God’s goodness and recognize that you are a recipient of it.
As you look toward 2025, do you expect blessings from God, or do you anticipate worsening circumstances?
Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, even though the journey from Egypt to Canaan should have taken merely 11 days. Why the prolonged journey? The Bible states, “they were not able to enter because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19). With paradise just 11 days away, they endured 40 years of self-imposed suffering due to their refusal to trust God.
What do you see when you look at the path ahead? The encouraging news is that you are righteous! Jesus Christ has made you righteous.
Romans 5:17 says, “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Righteousness is not achieved through good behaviour; it is referred to as “the gift of righteousness” in this verse. This assurance means that if you embrace this truth, you will reign in life! Doesn’t that provide a biblical foundation for optimism?
2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus took your sin upon Himself, allowing you to enjoy His righteousness. Knowing you are righteous gives you the confidence that your path is like the dawn, growing ever brighter!
Reflect on what the Bible says: “Be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24, New Living Translation). “The Lord’s delight is in those . . . who put their hope in His unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11).
Will you trust what Scripture says and rely on Christ within you to manifest this in your life? You possess the enabling grace of Jesus Christ to live a miraculous life. Will you accept and embrace this good news?
The Apostle Paul did, “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT)!
No matter how your circumstances appear right now, don’t lose faith in God! You may face challenging days, but God is with you through them. So, maintain your hope. Look forward with a hope fueled by grace. “Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we
have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise” (Hebrews 10:23, NLT). He can indeed be trusted, so never lose hope.
May our Lord’s blessings be felt and flow from within you to others in 2025!
Your brother,
dirk