“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

As we enter another new year, be encouraged. Keep this truth close to your heart and on your mind:

We may not know what 2022 holds, but we do know WHO holds 2022.

Are you smiling yet?

The world may change, policies may change, people’s views may change, laws may change, but rest assured, Almighty God never changes! That is a guarantee! It is this truth that should bring peace to both your mind and heart as you enter into a new year. It is the truth in knowing that your heavenly Father sees all, knows all, owns all, and takes care of His children.

It is the truth in knowing God will provide for all your needs and that He will make a way where there may not seem to be a way. He will open new doors of opportunity and will take care of you. He will bring justice to injustices in His perfect time and in His perfect way.

As sons and daughters of the King of Kings, we need to remember and cherish daily the reality that we have a blessed hope because of Christ. We need to keep focused on such truths as we enter the new year, and we need to hold onto and remember those truths as we journey each day in 2022.

As we begin to see events take place and hear things on the news, we must stand on scripture, read our Bibles, pray, share our hope with others, and resist fear. 1 John 4:18 reminds: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Matthew 10:28 further reminds: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

With each step we take, with each new day the Lord gives, we must walk in faith, not in fear. We must keep praising, keep believing, keep trusting, and keep walking closely… relying on our Savior for everything … everything!

We must not be moved by what we see but by what scripture promises. We must trust and begin to armor up by putting on the full armor of God as is stated in Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

We must not give in, give up, or grow weary, but rely on our heavenly Father for strength and all we need each day till He calls us home.

Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

2 Thessalonians 3:13 “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”

We must remind our minds and hearts that this world is not our home and to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).

John 14:2-3: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 states: “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

We have so much to look forward to and so very much to be thankful for… all because of our wonderful Savior!

As you take your first steps into a new year, remember: God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good! We may not always understand His ways, but we can fully trust that He sees the full picture and all of His ways are perfect… for our good and His glory.

Deuteronomy 7:9 states: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Ephesians 3:16-19: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

We have every good thing because of Jesus! We have every reason to rejoice.

As you venture into 2022, put your complete faith and trust in His capable hands and stay close to Him. Take His hand and walk with Him, never letting go. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy or to paralyze you in fear.

When you’re tempted to look around, look up. When you feel weary, let Jesus give you rest. When you feel like you want to surrender, stand firm on God’s Word, holding tight to His promises. Be at peace, and be comforted in knowing your Savior is faithful and will never leave you or forsake you… ever!

Just like 2021 and all the years prior, there will be changes, BUT our great God is always the one constant that will never change. So, take His hand, stand on His Word, and find your serenity and rest in Him.

Let His light guide you, His love encompass you, His Word encourage you. May your heart be joyful and at peace as you journey with Jesus into another new year.

Happy 2022!

spate.holly@gmail.com

 

 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

It was, by all appearances, a normal day. It was, by all appearances, expected to be a normal night. People were walking about, taking care of business, eating, drinking, selling, buying. The little town of Bethlehem was bustling with more people than normal due to the census taking place.

Luke 2:1-5: “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”

Joseph and Mary had traveled a long journey from Nazareth to reach the little town of Bethlehem. A little town that would be remembered forever… a little town chosen from the beginning of time to be the place where Jesus would be born!

Luke 2:6-7: “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Jesus is Born!

Imagine the excitement, the gratitude of Mary and Joseph. The incredible feeling of holding their sweet baby in their arms… a son, but also their Savior. A gift of love and redemption to them… a gift to the whole world!

As Mary and Joseph rejoice, God is revealing His greatest gift to some shepherds nearby:

Luke 2:8-12: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Imagine being a shepherd on guard that night. While tending to the normal routine of watching sheep, you encounter a sight most have never seen… a beautiful angel appears in your midst with a message that changes lives, futures… the world!

And then, within moments of that moment, you see the beautiful sight of not one, but a multitude of angels… all singing the praises of God!

Luke 2:13-14: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:15-18: “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

Luke 2:19 shares a glimpse into Mary’s thoughts: “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”

While Mary pondered at the awe of it all… all she had experienced, the shepherds went forth praising…

Luke 2:20: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

The Savior had come!

From that moment on, the world would never be the same.

From that moment on, those who witnessed in awe, would never be the same.

The gift of salvation, humbly wrapped and placed in a manger, given for all humanity, came to earth. The King of Kings, born in a little town called Bethlehem just as the prophets foretold, was here!

Micah 5:2: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Down to the very last detail, God’s plan unfolded. His perfect will was done. Salvation had come. Hope had come. A bright future had come.

What a beautiful moment… a moment filled with many beautiful, awe-inspiring moments. Moments that would be etched on the hearts of everyone aware that night. Truths that would touch and change countless lives throughout all time.

Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is coming again! Hallelujah!

Revelation 1:8 says of our great King, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Our Savior is returning!

And, just like Mary and Joseph and the shepherds that night, we too will one day see Him… face-to-face.

We Shall Behold Him… for all eternity!

Are you ready? The very best is yet to come!

Merry CHRISTmas!

spate.holly@gmail.com