This page will always be as the title suggests.  This section will be where I will publish thoughts and testimony, to share from the Bible and encourage.

THEN....we are in a New Year!

That can provoke many thoughts and feelings, depending what the previous year has been like.

Once all the above mentioned symbols and traditions of Christmas are gone and packed away for another year, what is left?

For those who have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour - Jesus is who is left.  The world uses Christmas to focus on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We remember He came.  

That is my focus this month really.  The fact that Jesus is always with us.  Jesus is always there to watch over us and guide us.  Everything in the world is so temporary, but Jesus is permanent.

 

Here are just a few scriptures I have picked up that expand this thought much better than my many words.

Isaiah 41 v 10

"Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand"

How much more prone to fear and discouragement we are when we are along. But we are never alone because God declared, fear not, for I am with you.  God's strength and glory make Him able to help us but it is His love that makes Him say, "I will, help you"

Hebrews 13 v 5

"Your life should be free from the love of money.  Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself had said, I will never leave or forsake you"

Joshua 1 v 9

Haven't I commanded you; be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go"

At this point Joshua was taking over leading the people of Israel from Moses, quite a daunting prospect.  What daunting challenges, circumstances, etc are we facing at the start of this new year?  God promises to be with us.

Joshua was Moses assistant:

• He led the army of Israel against the Amalekites. (Exo 24 v 13)
• Joshua helped Moses at the tabernacle after the golden calf disaster. (Exo 33 v 7-11)
• Joshua was zealous to preserve the authority and leadership of Moses.  (Num 11 v 28)
• Joshua was one of the two faith-filled spies among the total of twelve who spied out the land of Canaan.  (Num 13 v 30 - 14 v 38)
• Joshua was a 'man in whom is the Spirit' (Numb 27 v 18), the most important qualification of all.  The Holy Spirit would empower and enable him to fulfil the challenging role of leading the nation into Canaan.

Duet 31 v 6

"Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them.  For is is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you"

Matt 28 v 20

"....teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age"

The disciples had been given the 'great commission', to go and make disciples.  Again, quite a daunting prospect, challenge, but again God promises to be with them.

Rom 8 v 38-39

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord"

James 1 v 17

"Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning"

Numb 23 v 19

God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind.  Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfil"

 

The last two scriptures I have chosen as they speak about how God does not change.  

 

So, we continue into this new year, remember who it is we trust in and who watches over and guides us.