Hello dear heart, how are you? Are you excited it’s a new year? Is your heart filled with anticipation at what this new year can bring?
Where I live, the New Year was ushered in with more fireworks than I’ve ever experienced. The celebrations were louder and longer. It seems like people are truly celebrating 2020 coming to an end and a new year beginning.
I truly believe people everywhere are looking for something “new.” They are looking for hope, a hope that can’t be shaken. They are seeing that the things of the world can be shaken. I believe people are desperate for this type of hope, and girls we have this hope because we have Jesus and the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Oh sweet sisters, will you stop right now and ask the Lord, who you are to share this hope with this year?
“And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
Dear girls, did you know that Jesus said it was better that He went away so that the Holy Spirit could come? Jesus knew that if He went away God would send the Holy Spirit, and He knew that this is what we would need. What a gift this is! Here are just a few things that the Holy Spirit would do.
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t go, the Advocate won’t come.” John 16:7
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.” John 16:13
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26-27
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Girls, if you are a Christ-follower you will always have hope. Hope is something that can never be taken from you. We have to remind ourselves of this every day as we read God’s word and meditate on it. Nothing can take away the lasting hope we have and nothing can separate us from God’s love. “I am convinced that neither death not life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Tuck this deep deep into your heart, dear ones. If you are a Christ-follower, there is not one moment that you will ever be alone and without the love of God. Never, ever. Nothing can separate you from His love. Cling to this, dear ones. This is lasting hope, peace, and joy that can transcend any circumstance and weather any storm. This is my prayer for you in this new year: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
You will always have hope, dear heart, this year is such an opportunity to share this hope with those around you!
Questions and Reflections
Is there an area of your life right now where you need God to fill you with hope? Take some time and ask Him to meet you wherever you are and fill you with the hope that only He can.
Is there someone you know that needs the hope that only Jesus can provide? Take some time to pray for this person, and ask the Lord for the opportunity this year to share with them about the hope and peace that you have in Jesus.
Consider memorizing Romans 8:38-39. Girls, let’s memorize God’s word this year so that when the enemy whispers lies we can replace them with the truth of God’s word.
Ask the Lord if there is someone you can share this blog with to encourage a sister in her faith?
Appreciate this blog posst