Press On

 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)
6 So be truly glad. [a] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Revelation 2:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
2 Corinthians 1:4-5 (NLT)
⁴ 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. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
Philippians 3:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Sometimes life can become very complicated, even downright hard.  It is during those times that we have to remember that God never promised us that we would spend our lives frolicking through a bed of roses.  He did promise however, that He would never leave us or forsake us. He also said that His grace was sufficient and that we could do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

 Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (NIV)
¹⁰ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. ¹¹ There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

Matthew 25:35-40 (NLT
³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ ³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,^[a] you were doing it to me!’

Psalm 41:1-2 (TPT)
41  ¹ God always blesses those who are kind to the poor and helpless.  They’re the first ones God helps when they find themselves in any trouble.
² The Lord will preserve and protect them.  They’ll be honored and esteemed^[a  while their enemies are defeated.

Hebrews 13:16 (TPT)
¹⁶ We will show mercy to the poor^[a] and not miss an opportunity to do acts of kindness for others, for these are the true sacrifices that delight God’s heart.

As I checked the temperature early this morning I saw that it was a very frigid 1 degree outside.  I became instantly grateful, that I get to work from home most days.  As my daughter and my husband went out to brave the cold, I curled up in my warm fuzzy blanket to write.  Just as I was starting to feel comfy, I thought of those who did not have a nice warm blanket to curl up in, or maybe even a winter jacket to put on as they walked out of the door this morning. I also thought of the homeless, and how difficult this time of year is for them.

Psalm 65:11(NLT)
11 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Proverbs 16:3 (TPT)
3 Before you do anything,  put your trust totally in God and not in yourself.[a]  Then every plan you make will succeed.
Psalm 90:17 (NLT)
17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful.   Yes, make our efforts successful!

As we embark upon a New Year, my prayer is that you will take some time to be still just for a bit, and listen for God’s voice of guidance and direction for this New Year.

There are three things that are essential for your success in the coming year, and they are to reflect, to renew and to respond.