Hebrews 12:2 TLB “Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor.”

We are living in a world system characterized by uncertainty. Things are getting worse by the day and it is not going to get better. The system is failing. What should we do as Christians in the situation? The answer is to fix our attention on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This means casting all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7); trusting Him completely (Provers 3:5-7); fixing our attention on His finished work regardless of contradicting physical evidence, but with endurance and perseverance.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ so that He becomes the focus of our existence, and we can then put everything else into God’s perspective. This requires that we walk in the truth, by affirming, proclaiming, and agreeing with the Word of God in every situation. Every promise of God in the Bible is fulfilled and guaranteed in Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Look unto Him for healing, protection, provision, direction, leading; look unto Him as your deliverer from all demonic oppositions, and for every blessing you are seeking in life! He is the answer to all your questions.

Matthew 7:7 NIV  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”

The above scripture, and also Mathew 11:28, are unique invitations from the Lord Jesus that we need to accept. Is there an area of your life that you need God’s help in? A lot of times, it is easy to think that we are not supposed to ask for too much, but the scripture encourages us to go to God with all of our needs (Philippians 4:6). God is always willing to give you the desires of your heart (that are consistent with His will) and pour out His favor and blessing on you. When you step out and ask for God’s favor, His blessings and His increase, you are activating your faith. But when you ask in faith to receive, ask with the right motives (James 4:2-3). And when you pray, make sure there is nothing in your heart that would block your prayer of faith (Mark 11:25). Begin your prayers by surrendering every wrong thought and attitude to the Lord. Ask Him to purify your motives and show you if there is any unforgiveness in your life. When you release those things to the Lord, it opens the door for Him to move mightily on your behalf, and you will move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you!

James 1:1-4 MSG “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

Life is a journey, and it is not always a smooth one. Along the way, there will bends and detours. But once you grasp the scriptural truth in James 1:1-4, whenever your life is interrupted by problems or circumstances you did not anticipate, you will start to see God’s hand at work in all of it. The truth is that you are either in a trial right now, just coming out of one, or heading toward the next one. James talks about “various trials” (James 1:2); they come in every imaginable variety. If you are living you will experience life’s trials; you will get hit by trials. These trials put pressure on your faith, so be prepared to stand your ground. Only the dead are free from the trials of life. But the fact remains that it takes adversity to produce spiritual maturity. It cannot come any other way. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).” Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). Jesus was an overcomer, and because He lives in you today, you can be an overcomer too, regardless of the pressure on your faith.

 Genesis 3:10 NKJV “I was afraid…and I hid myself.”

No one is exempt from temptation to fear, but we have a choice to not yield to the temptation. The first man God created was Adam, and the first recorded words Adam spoke were these: “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” There are numerous areas of fear, but studies confirm that our seven greatest areas of fear are finances, health, career concerns, parenting struggles, family relationships, accomplishing personal goals, and death. Fear is of the devil and it has torment (1 John 4:18).  Fear means “sudden attack” or “ambush or snare.” That is what fear does; it attacks us and takes us captive. So, what is the answer to fear? Faith in God! Fear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear imprisons, but faith liberates. Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith encourages. Fear sickens, but faith heals. It has been said that the words “fear not” are recorded in Scripture 366 different times. If that is so, God has given us a “fear not” for every day of the year, and one for leap year! And here is one of them: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1). Today God is with you and He promises to strengthen and guide you in every situation you face. For every fear you face, there is a faith promise against that fear!

Isaiah 43:19 NLT “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Each New Year offers time to reflect and move forward in God’s purpose and promises in your life. This past year may have brought plenty of unexpected challenges and painful realities for you, but the beginning of a new year offers a time of renewed hope and commitment. In this New Year, instead of focusing on resolutions, focus on your relationship with God!  As we enter this New Year, it is only natural to want to reflect over the previous year and consider what was accomplished or not accomplished. That is true in our professional life, as well as our personal life. It is also true in our spiritual life. But let me say that if you continue to dwell on the things you have accomplished or not accomplished in the past year, you are not going to see the new things God has planned for this New Year. Focusing on the past, as good and great as it was, tends to blur our focus on today. In other words, it is hard to see in front of you when you are constantly looking behind you (Philippians 3:13)!  So, look forward to a ”new thing” that is better, that is bigger, that is greater, that is mightier than what you saw God do last year in you, through you and around you.