5 Reasons You Can Enter 2024 With Courage and Confidence by Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=5-Reasons-You-Can-Enter-2024-With-Courage-and-Confidence-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
By Becky Harling
Cue the confetti! Happy New Year, Friends! I have to admit, I just love New Year's Day. The idea of a fresh start, a clean sheet, a new chapter, excites me. But, for some, the new year holds fear and uncertainty. That's understandable. I mean, one look at the evening news can throw anyone into an anxious state. However, I believe God is calling us to enter the new year with courage and confidence. I always read through the book of Isaiah to prepare my heart for the new year. As I have been dwelling there the past few days, I have been encouraged by the promises God has given us.
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Cue the confetti! Happy New Year, Friends!
I have to admit, I just love New Year’s Day. The idea of a fresh start, a clean sheet, a new chapter, excites me. But, for some, the new year holds fear and uncertainty. That’s understandable. I mean, one look at the evening news can throw anyone into an anxious state. However, I believe God is calling us to enter the new year with courage and confidence.
I always read through the book of Isaiah to prepare my heart for the new year. As I have been dwelling there the past few days, I have been encouraged by the promises God has given us. My prayer for you is that your heart also will be encouraged and your faith strengthened as we step into this new year.
God has called you by name (Isa. 43:1). Don’t you just love that? He knows you. He is aware of everything going on in your life: every fear, every concern, every doubt. He knows it all! Each of us longs to feel known, and we have that in God. He knows us completely.
God will be with you through every challenge you encounter (Isa. 43:2). No matter what you encounter this upcoming year, whether a health-related crisis, financial crisis, natural disaster or war, God’s presence will be with you. You are never alone!
God’s nature will not change (Isa. 43:3). God reminds us that He is the Lord our God. He is the same God who parted the Red Sea in the Old Testament, and the same God who healed the blind and the lame in the New Testament. He hasn’t lost His power, and He hasn’t changed his character. He is still good, faithful and holy. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
God loves you (Isa. 43:4). I know. You’ve heard that before. But, what if this year, you really let it sink in? What if in 2024, every morning when you wake up, you pause and pray, “Thank You, Lord, that you love me completely”? Here’s the thing: God doesn’t just put up with you, He’s wild about you. He calls you “precious” and “honored.” The world may view you as not worthwhile, but not God. You are treasured in His eyes.
God forgives you (Isa. 43:25). It’s easy to get trapped in our mistakes. We feel bad and wallow in shame. However, that is not God’s will for you. He wants you to know that He has taken away all your transgressions. You don’t have to enter the new year afraid. You can stand tall with confidence because you are forgiven.
Friend, no matter what 2024 brings, you can step in confidently and courageously. God has called you by name. He will be with you, He never changes, He loves you completely, and He forgives you categorically! Happy New Year!
Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Doing-Christmas-Like-Jesus-Show-Up-with-Humility-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Humility is such a rare quality in our current culture. We are encouraged to rise in power, be the first and achieve the most success. And there is a part of our human soul that screams to be important. The problem is that God values humility. This is seen so clearly in the Christmas story. Jesus arrived on the scene with humility. Jesus took on human form as a baby and was born in Bethlehem. The prophet Micah wrote about Bethlehem: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (Mic. 5:2, NIV).
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=3-Prayers-of-Blessing-to-Pray-Over-Kids-as-They-Head-Back-to-School-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The stores are stocked with school supplies and kids are ready to go back. Some are anxious, and some are excited. Even if you don't have kids, you likely have nieces or nephews, neighborhood children or grandchildren. I happen to believe the kiddos of our nation need prayer and blessing as they go back to school. The power of praying scriptural blessings over your kids is huge, especially as they head back to school where they will be spending countless hours each day. How can you cover them as they go?
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Let-the-How-Much-More-of-the-Holy-Spirit-Transform-Your-Prayers-by-Becky-Harling&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
I remember the evening so well. Our little family had traveled to Florida to visit Disney. Our youngest daughter, Keri, had chosen a baby Minnie Mouse to buy with her spending money. Her older sister, Stefanie, felt sure she didn't want one as she considered herself too old for Minnie Mouse. However, around 9:30 p.m., Stef changed her mind. That's when the tears started flowing. We were leaving early the next morning, so to Stef the circumstances looked dire.
