“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7)/
As 2024 is now a distant memory and as we take steps into another new year, let’s take the time to reflect and to say thank you to God for His unwavering grace.
Let’s be thankful for grace that knows no bounds.
Let’s raise our hands in praise for grace that flows because of mercy.
Let’s be in awe of grace that’s always wrapped in unconditional love.
Let’s be at peace for grace that guides, provides, helps, and comforts.
And while we’re praising…while we’re reflecting…while we’re thanking God for His infinite grace… let’s remember to count our blessings, as all are a result of His immense and amazing nature.
Let’s appreciate and thank Him once again for both the small and the big…those miracles, those blessings that he so graciously gave in 2024. And, let’s rejoice at the fact that He has given miracles and blessings throughout the years.
Let’s exude hearts of gratitude for all the lessons, all the difficulties, all the struggles that He allows to shape us, to refine us, to change us and, ultimately, to help us. Lessons given because of His great love for us.
Lessons given to draw us closer to Him…to strengthen our reliance on Him… to hold us tightly to His promises.
As we each begin a new year, let’s welcome all God has for us to learn, to grow, and to mature, as we continue clinging to Him and holding ever tightly to His promises.
Like Paul, may we be faithful servants, fully used for God’s service, so one day we too may proclaim the beautiful words of 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Philippians 1:6-7 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”
Let us remember all these things and let us put all these things into action until He calls us home.
Let’s be in utter awe and fall on our knees with a reverent heart as we think about His character, His heart for each of us, His promises, His plans, His attention to every aspect. Let’s celebrate His goodness and the fact that He cares about us in the most finite of detail.
Luke 12:6-7 attests to this truth as it states, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
Matthew 6:26 goes on to say, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
Let each of these verses resonate…let each be forever etched deep into your heart and your memory. Let each serve as a constant and beautiful reminder that we serve an amazing, Almighty Father. A Father who is the Creator of all heaven and earth, who infinitely cares about every detail of our lives.
Personally, I am thankful for the great mercies God has shown me throughout my life. I am thankful for the lessons I’ve learned in this past year alone.
There were several hard roads to walk…many difficult days to endure…many questions of “Why?” but, through it all, I’m forever grateful for what He’s taught me and even more grateful for the privilege of having Him love me as His child. I’m grateful for having Him be ever present, faithfully by my side, while I had to learn to let go and simply lean on Him.
I am forever thankful that God is good and am comforted and relieved by the fact that His ways are higher…His thoughts are greater, and He is indeed trustworthy.
I’m thankful that He promises in both the valley and the mountaintop moments He will be there to take my hand, to teach me, and to lead me.
I’m thankful that when I can’t see past today, He has a plan for my today and all my tomorrows.
I’m thankful that when I feel discouraged, I have His promises to hold onto…promises that remind me He will work everything out for my good and His glory, even when I don’t understand what’s happening.
God’s great mercy, His great miracles, His immeasurable love, and His many promises all bring comfort…all remind me that He is always with me.
And friend, He is always with you too.
He is right there beside you… holding your hand, teaching you lessons, leading the way…always. Never forget.
God is bigger than the trials in this life. He is bigger than the circumstances that we find ourselves in. He is faithful. He is trustworthy. He is worthy of praise.
Brother and Sister in Christ…
He is bigger than anything you’re facing today.
He is bigger than anything you will face tomorrow.
He is bigger than anything you will face this year.
Make it your resolution this day and every day thereafter, to cry out to Him…to place your very life, your every decision, your every step, in His loving, capable hands.
He is the One constant in your life that never changes. He is the only One you can truly depend on.
Be comforted by these truths both today and every day in 2025. And be equally grateful for His grace for another year.
Blessings to you and your families!
-Holly