As we approach the end of the year this is a
time of reflection for many. If you have not noticed already, time really does
fly! There is no better time to give your life to Christ and serve Him, than now. Upon reflection, I will share how
my year has been. I pray that it encourages you. Any changes you need to make
can be made today! Do not be trapped in thinking that you have to wait until
next year, get a head start.
At the beginning of the year, Jesus told me
that I should focus on Him in all things and He will use me in ways that I
cannot imagine. He specifically revealed that many chains will be broken this
year for others through my obedience and that I should just focus fully on Him.
When I say chains being broken, I mean spiritual chains that hold things or
people back for long periods of time such as depression, illness or demonic
curses.
It has truly been a year of spiritual growth
for me. I have served more than I ever have, starting from Church and trickling
into my personal life. Though it has been challenging, I have grown so much
from it and feel blessed to be able to appreciate the bigger picture, which is
always to bring glory to God. I do not know what kind of year it has been for you;
some have had the best, others have had the worst. Please know that whatever
the case, God is not done yet. Sometimes we experience things with no clear or
immediate answer of why.
I want to encourage you that God is faithful,
through your dark season. You have made it this far and if you stop to count
your blessings, you will realise that you have more than enough. Ok, it may not
have gone your way this year, but do you realise that His ways are best for us
long-term? They are above our ways. Think of it like this, Jesus sees the
bigger picture and protects us from what we may not see coming [Isaiah 55:
8-9].
The world may have every reason to feel low or
like there is no hope. More specifically in my city London, things have not
been that great for our society. Homelessness is at an all time high, the
Government have made cuts left right and centre which has left many people in
poverty, crime is rising and we have been attacked with terrorist attacks
several times. As Christians, we recognise that we have every reason to cover
our city with prayer and praise God that we have not been at the wrong place at
the wrong time! I was out when a terrorist attack occurred, and did not even
notice anything had happened until I heard the news when I got home. God will
always protect His children. God will always provide. Another positive to be
taken out of it is that, people in vulnerable positions helps us to realise our
responsibility as Christians, to give more, to serve more, to get involved and
to love more.
Jesus does not love a homeless person less that
he does someone with a home. In life people lose their way at times and
unfortunate things occur. But what can we do to help?
This year has been challenging but good for me
and my growth at the same time. As normal I have experienced ups and downs but
God has never failed to show His faithfulness time and time again. Here are
some of the things that Jesus has taught or reinforced for me:
·
True wisdom comes from
knowing God – Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 3:7
·
Fighting issues in the
spiritual realm is better than fighting people, because it is a spiritual
battle – Ephesians 6:11-17
·
A true friend sticks closer
than a brother – Proverbs 18:24
·
Hard work pays off –
Colossians 3:23
·
Teaching the Gospel on social
media may not seem like it is paying off instantly, but messages of hope, love,
encouragement and peace are blessing people more than I know – 1 Thessalonians 5:11,
Hebrews 10:23-25, 1 Peter 4:8-10, Ephesians 4:29
·
God can use me at any time, I
just need to be ready – Matthew 24:42-43, Mark 13:33-37
·
Prayer is key – 1 John 5:14,
1 John 5:15, 1 Chronicles 16:11, Ephesians 6:18
·
Nothing matters more that my
relationship with Jesus – Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 16:3, John 3:30
I pray nothing but God’s will in your life and
that though the year changes, you will work on your relationship with Jesus.
Keep living for Him, you will be surprised at how he changes your life.
Thanks for sharing parts of 2017 with me. I
hope I have encouraged you somewhere along the way. God bless you.
Rosemary x
