Hello my dear readers, I am so happy and grateful to God could come back again in this New Year. Happy New Year! We are wishing you a year of health, wealth, happiness, success, warmth, and loads of love of your dear ones. I hope this New Year showers you with full of Joy and blessings. This is my first post in this brand new year.
Has become our familiarity every early year our company held a general meeting. We discussed everything about the company growth in the previous years; we evaluate and make plans and targets to be achieved during a year ahead. In the meeting, there was one interesting thing and it made me ponder. One of our director said, “This New Year will be similar with the previous, we will be in uncertainty situation. We could make the best plans, but still, we don’t even know what will be happen next. Everything could be change in a matter of minutes”
I heard sound of pessimistic and skepticism! Questions arose in my heart. Should not we enter the New Year with a new vigor? Should we move in this New Year with shadowed by uncertainty? Then whether we have losing the joy in our lives in this New Year just because we think that we will face uncertain situation? Then without sounding of preaching and giving a lesson, carefully I am trying to say something, “Yes indeed if we look at the current situation and the conditions in which the world is filled with a variety of problems, it is natural we would be so easy to doubt and pessimist. But on the one hand we should not forget that we have God who always be with us. Because of Him we could calm. As written in Psalm:”
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. (Psalm 62:1 NIV)
My beloved readers, for me personally, this verse is very encouraging and able to give peace. Actually true tranquility comes from God, not from the world circumstances where we are, instead from an abundance of money, status, employment levels and so on, nor from others. The condition may be uncertain or unclear and this time, It may be that there are among of us who in the lowest point of crisis. But by realize that the presence of God will always be with us should be able to keep us calm. Our salvation is in His hands, help on any difficult thing was upon him, guarantee of future day will be provided by God. If we continue on the next verse, an affirmation will feel getting stronger.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:2 NIV)
Then, we will find a similar verse in the verse 6:
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5 NIV)
The world may be full of uncertainties like our director said. Maybe many people predict that this year is not better than the previous year but we have rock and unshakable fortress that could be a place to hold. We can remain calm focus to provide or perform the best if we realize that God is always close to us.
I was remembering story of Micah. Micah is a prophet from the remote village whose ministry is in the range of the reign of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Situation and condition the world today seems similar as in the time of Micah. Chapter 7 the book of Micah describe the moral depravity and a very difficult situation at the time. Famine, Crop failure (Verse 1), moral degradation, loss of godly and honest people, trepan each other, deceived each other, even destroy each other (Verse 2) Has been so accustomed to do evil, corrupt officials and judges and accepting bribes, the leader imposes his will, the law perverted (Verse 3) Even the best people in the world likened as useless and stabs thorn hedge, nothing else can be trusted, broken homes, hostility among family members (Verse 4-6) Micah said that all this as a incurable and infectious wound.
“…. Plague is incurable; it has spread to Judah. It has reached the very gate of my people, even to Jerusalem itself” (Micah 1: 9 NIV)
Is not what we are facing today is roughly equal to the situation that Micah faced at that time? But let’s take a look what Micah did at the time?
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me (Micah 7:7 NIV)
What we could learn from the story of Micah? Micah has one big spirit. Yes, spirit of surrender to God. The verse above describe fully surrender to God. Look, after we saw how the moral depravity expressed so obvious in the previous verses, then Micah expressed his attitude was in such conditions: Micah chose to hold on to God with the full of hope. Micah believes God’s inclusion in any circumstances, Micah has full of trust to God’s power that will always save and listen to the prayers of His children
If God is able to save His children in the past, if we have repeatedly seen that God is able to perform miracles through magical ways, if formerly He can, even now God is still able! Because,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
Walking with God does not mean that we will always be one hundred percent live without problems. Problems will always be there. But Jesus said,
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV)
This verse comes preceded by a verse which also already known very well:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
Let’s try to combine these two verses. The result is, we will know and understand that even in the hardship that can be comes tomorrow God will still be there. Tomorrow will have worry about itself. Fear that muddying our thoughts today about tomorrow will not change anything. No results could be obtained with fears; instead we will add a new problem. Want to restless or anxious as any, tomorrow will remain come with the trouble itself. But if we truly believe that God is always present and be with us, why we should be worry? Tomorrow will be comes with its own difficulties but do not forget that not only problems and difficulties. God’s word said that,
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)
All of that would be more than enough to strengthen us through the difficult days and can make us live with joy that is not from the world but from God.
My dear beloved friends, what about us now? Are there any of us who are afraid to face uncertainty in entering this New Year? Whether in undergoing this New Year we are full of fear and doubt? If there are, let’s come closer to God, and get the serenity and strength. Do not let doubt fulfill our mind. Point our thoughts and views focus on God alone. Truly trust in Him! Express our fear and doubt we have in Him.
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8 NIV)
Praise Him and give thanks to God because He promised that,
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. (Psalm 46:2-8 NIV)
God has promised something that should be comforting and calming us, something that should not make us has to lose the joy. Therefore we do not need to fear to enter the New Year which is predicted by human logic to be a full with uncertainty or hopeless.
At the beginning of this New Year please allow me to encourage all of you that we do not need to worry because we have a God who is very concerned. Close to God will always be able to make us calm. His sturdiness will be able to make us not easily shaken. It is okay World continue to offer the uncertainty, but there is assurance in God. Tomorrow will come with its own problems. But we still must remember that the grace of God, which never end will also present and greet us when we wake up in the morning. We do not need to be afraid to face tomorrow and the next days because I know and I believe that God always be with us and he will goes before us as He promised:
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)
God has given so many promises as written in the verses above, so why should we be afraid? Let’s enter the New Year with joy, let’s fill this year with the best thing we can do, and let us give praise and thanksgiving to God who has promised to be with us from the beginning to the end of the year. God’s promises are yes and Amen! His promises are never failed.
Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45 NIV)
Let us use this year as a moment to increase our relationship with God, exercise our faith in order to continue to grow better and increase our capacity to receive the outpouring of wine from Heaven. Tribulation may be present tomorrow, but as sunrise that certainly presents every morning, likewise the God’s promise will certainly present in our life. Amen
Karina – Living by faith
Photo by Sue Nash https://heavenlyraindrops.wordpress.com/
Thanks, Karina. May God bless you in 2015 – and make you a blessing to many.
You are much welcome,uncle Charlie 🙂 May your New Year also full of blessings from God’s. Have a wonderful day.
This is such a great post to start the new year. We must remain positive even in a world that shows no promise, because God is still in charge. Have a great day, my friend.
Hello my dear sister,
Thank you very much for your great and lovely comment, sis. Happy New Year and have a great and blessed day 🙂
Thank you and prayers for a blessed new year for you and your family. If God is for us who can be against us?
Kathy
Amen and Amen! Yes no one can be against us if God always be with us. Just curious why I couldn’t directly click you blog. just got information the site was deleted by the author. Thank you very much, sis Kathy 🙂
That’s weird. I don’t know how to check it out.
Yes. But it is okay.. I will try from the readers 🙂
Great post, Karina! So easy to trust God when the blessings are abundant and the water is calm. You are right that as we stay faithful in the storms and difficulties that our faith will grow and become stronger. The same God who pours out the blessings allows the storms and will take care of us in all situations and circumstances!!
Happy New Year!!
Hello my dear sister,
Thank you very much for your lovely comment 🙂 Very Happy New Year to you. Have blessed New Year 🙂
Karina, thank you for taking time out of your immensely busy life to pour encouragement into ours. You are such a blessing to the body of Christ. And thanks for using my photo. I appreciate you!
My dear sis Sue,
You are much welcome. I just miss blogging and have an idea in the midst of my business. I always love your photos, sis and such a great honor to me you allowed me to use it. Thank you sis. Many blessings to you.
Excellent reminder! I need to keep this mind. Jesus did tell us that we would have troubles in this world but He would be with us through them. Thanks for sharing!
Dear brother in Christ, Tom.
Thank you for your beautiful comment. Happy New Year 🙂
I wish you a wonderful 2015 – thanks for being positive and believing God for good things!
Dear brother in Christ ,Dave..
Thank you very much 🙂 Always pray for your beautiful ministry. Happy New Year to you. God bless.
Strong encouraging words! May you and your loved ones be mightily blessed by the Lord in this New Year as you walk faithfully and trustingly with Him!
Hello my dear,
Thank you very much. May God bless you abundantly in this New Year. Amen. Have a great day 🙂
Happy New Year Karina, to you and your family!
This is a very encouraging post. Our trust should be in God because He is with us! This is a great word to start the year with! God bless you Karina
Rolain
Dear brother Rolain,
Thank you and happy New Year too 🙂 God bless you.
God bless you and your family and business as well. Karina, you are a wonderful encourager with a good grasp of Bible scriptures to exhort everyone to place their trust and hope in God’s promises, to abide in His Word and rest under the shadow of His wings. We can call the LORD at Jeremiah 33:3 and Psalm 91:1 (911). SHALOM AND AGAPE,
~Aunt Liz
Dear Auntie Liz.
Thank you so…so much for you lovely , encouraging ,and uplifting comment. Also thank you for the wonderful Bible verses 🙂 have a wonderful and blessed day to you and uncle Wyman.
Karina, this was so beautifully written and very inspiring!
Dear my sister Dawn..
Thank you very much for the such lovely comment. I really appreciate it. Many blessings to you 🙂
Yes Karina, your bountiful words and the Scriptures you shared were full of assurance in our God of Love, they brought to my heart God’s words below and also what Jesus tells us to do when we are worried and feel burdened,
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” KJV
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV
I hope you don’t mind Karina if I also share a Song that confirms your message too.
Christian Love in our Unity in Christ Jesus – Anne
Dear sister Anne,
Thank you very much for the Bible wonderful Bible verses, your lovely comment, and also your YouTube link. It was a great song . I really love it. Once again thank you for your kindness, sis. Many blessings to you and regards to your Husband 🙂
Reblogged this on jameslantern40:the journey to RADICAL GRACE!.
Karina thank you for the wonderfully encouraging post. We should go into this new year with zest and enthusiasm. God will be there and walk ahead of us. Thank you for reminding me that. I love reading your posts. Meghan
Dear Sister in Christ,Meghan..
You are much welcome 🙂 Thank you for taking time visit and reading my post also gave me lovely comment. I really appreciate it. Many blessings to you.
Hello Karin, your post is always encouraging as usual. And i also like the conclution “use this year as a moment to increase our relationship with God, exercise our faith in order to continue to grow better and increase our capacity to receive the outpouring of wine from Heaven.”
Jesus bless you, Immanuel.
Thank you very much, sis 🙂 God bless you too 🙂
Dear Ma’am Karina,
This was a beautiful and awesome encouraging post to start a New Year. Yes it was so true.. world offer so many uncertain things. But there is no uncertain things before God. Thank you very much your writing successful encourage me 🙂 Made my step more firmly to walk through this year. God bless you and your family 🙂
Dear Dinda,
Thank you so much for taking time read my post 🙂 God bless you.
Good Morning my friend, it is Monday and the beginning of a brand new week. Just stopped by to wish you a joyful, peaceful and blessed week as you walk into your Divine Destiny living FREE from the restraints of the world and doing the will of the Lord. Thank you for continuing to follow our ministry and bless my soul with your presence and knowing that I can come into your presence and always find refreshing words of wisdom and comfort. Enjoy your week in Jesus name…
Dear Pastor Davis,
first of all, please forgive me for long late reply. I just checked my spam comments and I found your comments there.Then I Decided to move your comments as non spam comments. I absolutely have no idea why your comments defined as a spam 😦 Sometimes I find strange things in WordPress.Dear pastor, I also thank you for always reading my blog posts. I really love your blog posts. To be honest I have learned so many valuable things from your posts as I have learned from other blog too. Thank you so much for your lovely and encouraging comments.I apologize for this inconvenience. I keep looking forward to your great posts, Pastor. Many blessings to you. Have a great day 🙂
Your “Living by faith” sums up all the strength one needs. Nice post, Karina. And a wonderful 2015 to you… and everyone. Peace.
Hello there.
Thank you very much 🙂 have wonderful and blessed 2015 to you too. Many blessings to you.
Karina, your words are always so encouraging! You are such a blessing to so many.I pray you continue to write and further encourage us. Many blessings to you in this new year!
Hello sis Julie,
Thank you so much for the such lovely comment, sis. Also thank you for your prayer 🙂 Many blessings to you too.
In a world that is becoming increasingly secular, this is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you.
Hello there
you are welcome. thank you for reading my post . Blessings to you 🙂
Thank you for your like of my post, “May We Never Forget.” You like of this post, and of others, is very humbling to me. Please have a wonderfully Christ Filled Day.
You are much welcome 🙂 Have a blessed weekend.
Thank you for your kind words. I trust that your weekend will be blessed too.
Great word to start the new year with. Thank you Katrina. I totally love your profile picture, I love hats and it looks wonderful on you. You are beautiful and you shine brightly for Jesus. May your year be so blessed.
Hello there,
Thank you very much 🙂 May your year be so blessed to.
Thank you for your like of my post, “My One Desire;” you are very kind.
You are much welcome 🙂 blessings to you.
One song always finds its way into my life each day, ‘and always inspires my spirit, Blessed Assurance.’ Jesus is ours my sister! Your brother in Christ!
Brother Wendell, Blessed Assurance is my favourite hymn song 🙂 Thank you very much for the great comment. Blessings.
With the year half over, this post is just as meaningful as a way to take stock. How is our relationship w/ God? Are we spending enough time in His presence? Are living the way He would want us to? Thank you for raising these questions, and providing answers from Scripture. You are a blessing. ❤
Dear, sister Anna
You are always welcome 🙂 Thank you very much for always reafing my blog post and always give uplifting comment 🙂 God bless.
Another set of good and positive thoughts, Karin. You never said there wouldn’t be challenges or trials, but you reminded us that God will be there no matter what to help us. He will never leave nor forsake us, (Hebrews 13:5).
Good post for the start of a new year, or at any point of time in the year!
Blessings be with you, your family, and your business…
Steve
Thank you, brother. That is a reason why I personally never afraid to face the future because I have God’s promises and He never failed 🙂 Thank you, brother and have a blessed weekend.
Bless you, sis, for being such a faithful believer! Love to you in all the things you do!
Enjoy your evening and day tomorrow…
Steve