Hope for the New Year

I have to admit that we did not mind seeing 2014 draw to a close.  It was a difficult year for us, for our family.  But the word the Lord gave me for 2014 was JOY!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

James 1:2-3

As we approached 2015, it was with hopeful hearts for a fresh year.  But then it began with the unexpected loss of a dear friend’s child.  A child who had already been a miraculous gift for thirteen years.  Our hearts were broken for this sweet family.  Where is the hope in this?

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,

concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not,

 even as others which have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4:14

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
 may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Job 1:21

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,
a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil."
Hebrews 6:19

We also found out just before the end of 2014 that I would be entering a clinical trial to hopefully rid my body of the remnants of my cancer.  Along with that, they will be removing my parathyroid gland on January 21^st with the hope that my calcium levels will begin to regulate and I will stop spiraling downward with osteoporosis.  Quite a busy way to start the year!  And one that gives hope for the future.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
 my hope comes from Him.”

Psalm 62:5

We, as I am sure many of you, have other challenges facing us head on this year.  Many are due to the changes incurred during 2014.  I’ve never been a big “change” person, but when push comes to shove you just keep moving forward. 

"So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away,

our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction

is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not

to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are

seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this
grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces 
endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 5:2-5

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction,

that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures

we might have hope.”

Romans 15:4

“Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for,

 the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

"For in this hope we were saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.
For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see,
we wait for it with patience."
Romans 8:24-25

And so we begin this year full of hope, not based on anything we have yet seen, but simply because of WHO HE IS!  I refuse to let the worries of this world tarnish the truth of the grace, mercy, and hope that we have in Him.

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope

fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 1:13

This year, we also look forward to new lives in our families with two new grandchildren.  Continued hope for the future.

And finally, my verse for 2015….  I’m bringing my Joy with me.  May this encourage you, as well.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 15:13

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath His covenant and blood
Support me in the 'whelming flood:
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground in sinking sand.

When the last trumpet's voice shall sound,
O may I then in him be found.
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before his throne.