Happy New Year! I pray that this first week of the new year has started with a new expectancy, new goals, renewed peace, and new hope. As I think about 2022, a few thoughts come to my mind from my time alone with the Lord. Let me share these with you.

My first thought is know the Scriptures in a deeper way.  In John 1 after Jesus found Philip, Philip found Nathaniel. What did Philip say? “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Philip knew the Scriptures and who to look for in the Messiah, even if He was from Nazareth.

How can we incorporate Scripture more in our lives? We can spend more time in study, we can memorize, we can meditate on the Scriptures, and we can rest in His promises. Let the Scriptures permeate our souls. It was said of John Bunyan who wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress, that if you cut John Bunyan, he will bleed Scripture. Let that be said of us.

Secondly, let’s increase our walk of faith. What was the difference in Zechariah’s response to Gabriel versus Mary’s? Zechariah did not believe God’s Word, whereas Mary believed what Gabriel said. Her response was, “Let it be according to your word.”

I want to believe God more. As Gabriel said to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” I want to walk around with an expectancy, a wonderment, and a deep belief that God is doing things in the unseen world that are beyond my highest thoughts.

Lastly, I want to be aware of and anticipate opposition. Think of Elizabeth who had been barren for so many years. I’m sure she was ridiculed or felt insufficient as a wife because she could not conceive. Think of how Mary had to endure criticism, ridicule, and abuse because she was pregnant without being married. Both had opposition. However both trusted God and were used in a supernatural way.

Last year despite COVID and many other obstacles, we finished the year healthy, growing, and financially sound. You have been so faithful to me in this ministry. I am so very grateful.

As we look ahead, let’s bleed Bible, trust God more, be ready for opposition, and look for God at work. He is working. He is saving. He is sanctifying. He is bringing glory to Himself and good to us. Praise His name!