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, \u201cthey were not able to enter because of unbelief\u201d (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, \u201cFor 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.\u201d Righteousness is not achieved through good behaviour; it is referred to as \u201cthe gift of righteousness\u201d in this verse. This assurance means that if you embrace this truth, you will reign in life! Doesn\u2019t that provide a biblical foundation for optimism?
2 Corinthians 5:21 states, \u201cHe made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.\u201d 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: \u201cBe strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord\u201d (Psalm 31:24, New Living Translation). \u201cThe Lord\u2019s delight is in those . . . who put their hope in His unfailing love\u201d (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, \u201cNow 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\u201d (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. \u201cWithout wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we
have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise\u201d (Hebrews 10:23, NLT). He can indeed be trusted, so never lose hope.
May our Lord\u2019s blessings be felt and flow from within you to others in 2025!
Your brother,
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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 … Continue reading