“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19)

 

January 2010

Dear Friend,

Happy New Year! Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones, and wishing you a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year in Christ. May He watch over you and meet all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Amen! I think everyone loves New Year’s Day. It is a time to let go of the past, and go on with the new. How did last year treat you? I can say for myself that it was a very good year. I thank God for my faith, my health, my family, my friends, for you, and for all He is doing in our ministry. Of course there are times that were hard, but He did see me through. None of us like that at all, on that we can agree!  I am expectant for this coming year, believing Him for breakthroughs in everyone’s life, especially yours! You are so faithful to pray for the needs of others, and in your partnership, and I pray that God will bless you back one hundredfold in the form of your need. May this be a year of healing and new beginnings!

As we close the door on 2009 and open the door for 2010, let us think of what is really important in this life. Some may say to be comfortable financially, others may say to have a job! Others may say they would like a Christian mate to share their life with. Others would like a better place to live. There are so many things we can think of, and all these things are legitimate. However, let us think back to the time that we did not know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and how our life was full of darkness. None of us would EVER want to go back to that again! Since receiving Jesus into our heart made a radical change in our life, let us take a few minutes to think back to our first love. We were so happy that we walked around with a perpetual smile on our face! People looked at us and wondered what was going on? (Smile) We couldn’t talk enough about Jesus, we wanted everyone to know Him the way we did! That was such a happy time, and God was gracious to give it to us. We were new born babes in Christ, and all things became new.  When we calmed down a bit, we found out that problems were still there, and we still had to get up in the morning and go to work. Life went on, and hopefully we continued on with going to church and keeping in the Word so that we could grow in him. There comes a time when we have to go from the infant stage to a grown up one. Paul says in the Book of Hebrews “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:13,14)  As we press in, and study, and grow closer to the Lord, His Word penetrates within us and gives us a guide for our life. If we look at the whole Bible, we can see that the primary message is the message of the love of God, Who He is, what He has done for us, and where our hope lies. This message is brought to us so that we can have salvation in Jesus Christ, and know that someday we will see Him face to face and be with Him forever. It is also to teach us how to live here on earth. Now, if the message of love is the guide for us, then let us look to how we should live our lives.

If God is our peace, then we should be peacemakers. It should be our joy to bring peace in all situations. Showing the love of God to others can be difficult at times, I agree! But we have the Holy Spirit in us, and if we ask, He will help us. There may come times when we need to talk to someone about a situation, and then other times when it is wise to keep silent. Have you ever walked into a situation that is uncomfortable, where the heat is on, and possible tempers are flaring? This is so hard! Especially if it involves people we love. So, how do we become peacemakers when our emotions are crying out to take someone’s side, or shout to be heard? Whew! Not easy!

But we are to be peacemakers... so, what is the answer, how should we respond? In any case, calling on the Holy Spirit to fill us and give us wisdom should be first. God does not call us to be anything that He will not equip us to be, and He will give guidance and direction when asked. The primary goal is always to bring understanding and peace between people, and that also includes our personal relationships. I am calling for this year to be the year of the Peacemaker. I am challenging every person who reads this letter to let go of the former things, and look to the future.  Create new goals this year! As we go about our day, let us look for ways to bring understanding in situations. Intercede and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Refuse to speak ill of anyone, never listening to gossip or agreeing with negative talk. Encourage one another in the Lord! Let us lift one another up above ourselves! Let us always speak God’s will for a person! Speak it forth, decree it done for God’s glory. Let it be our job as peacemakers to bring a good word wherever we go. If someone hurts us, let us forgive immediately. God will work it out, that is His job. If we do wrong, let us quickly ask for forgiveness.

Let this be the year where we bring smiles to people’s faces, hope to the weary, encouragement to those who are down, help where help is needed, and very important, the salvation message to those who need to hear. Let us pray for one another, and praise God when prayers are answered. Let us start out today, with fresh hope in our hearts, and lots of love to give away. Let it be said at the end of the year, that truly, this was a good year!

Father, in Jesus Name, I lift this reader up to You, and I thank You for giving this person a brand new year to be the encourager that you have created him or her to be. Lord, I ask that as this reader looks beyond himself or herself, that there will be times of refreshment, and times of service to You and to others. As this person reaches out to be the peacemaker that You are looking for, we ask that You equip him or her with Your love, Your wisdom, Your understanding. Let this reader see miracles this year in his or her life, and in the lives of others. Let this be a year of restoration in all things. Thank You Lord. Amen! God bless you!

Rev. Barbara Yovino, Ph.D.