Hello friends. I’m sure like me you are reeling from the great tragedies that our nation is experiencing in only a few days into 2025. First, the terrorist attack in New Orleans and now this week, the raging fires in California.
I recall the word of the year that the Lord gave to me personally for the new academic year of 2024-2025. It was the word “Hold Fast” with this Bible verse anchored to it:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23
Here’s a great blog reminder for me to keep “holding fast” onto God’s word and promises.
4. Surround Yourself with Other ‘Pregnant’ People
Another important step to take when faced with difficult situations is to surround yourself with people who believe in God’s promises. Mary visited Elizabeth, who was also pregnant miraculously (Luke 1:39-45 (https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%201.39-45)). During these times, join a life group or community of believers who encourage and support you. Your environment influences your faith and outcomes, so surrounding yourself with people of faith strengthens your journey.”
If you are alone in your faith and without a connection to a church with relationships built within your church; I don’t think your faith will survive in the remaining 355 days left in the new year. Please make it a highest priority to find a local church in 2025, and to worship and receive prayers from there. I believe that proactive prayers will be vitally necessary in this new year.
When I received my “burning bush” moment (like Moses) about 14 years ago; I had no clue about churches in this area. All I knew was that I had to join one now that God got my attention and that it’ll be very dangerous if I turn away from Him. I also had my little children to consider (Alex was age 8 and Evan was 4). I visited about four area churches. The reason why I chose my church was because, now that I’m looking back; I realized that I was sitting next to an angel! 😇
My church was huge and intimidating. But I also liked the anonymity aspect of going to a big church especially since I was a MIA (missing in action) for many years. First time I went there, as I was looking to sit somewhere, this elderly small Chinese lady turned around and smiled so warmly at me. As Asians, we are pretty good at noticing facial differences to know which region they are from. Her warm smile drew me in and so I sat down next to her. Oh my goodness, something about her presence made my hardness break down and I couldn’t help but weep. When I looked at her I would see her with eyes closed as if she was praying for me. It was overwhelming. The entire time during worship and sermon, I was trying so hard to stop crying. I don’t remember the sermon at all because I was working very hard to not cry.
Long story short, whenever I went to church this sweet elderly Chinese lady with short hair and bangs would be there as if she’s waiting for me. We never spoke. I would say hi. She would only nod and smile. The very last time I saw her, she was fumbling around with the translator device that our church has for Chinese and Spanish translations. I thought it was strange that she never used one before. I also noticed that she didn’t have a handbag like most women. That was the last time that I saw her. I sat with her for the first 6-7 visits. After all these years, I still scan the sanctuary on Sundays looking for her.
As times are becoming more difficult and dangerous in our nation, it is really important that you learn about angels. They are our helpers. I often pray for God’s angels to be assigned and to help us. It’s also important for you to know that there are demons. Demons can disguise themselves as an angel of light to deceive you. This is why it is so important for you to know your Bible and be in a community of believers to discern doctrines and spiritual encounters.
Charles Spurgeon, a legendary preacher, famously said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong, it is knowing the difference between right and almost right”.
Here’s a free ebook from Harvest ministry. Please download and read it. It’s been several years since I’ve read this book and I plan to read it again.
Angels & Demonsinbound.harvest.org
Greg Laurie’s churches and his Harvest ministry are based in Southern California.
Francis Chan’s church and ministry is located in SolCal too. He recently delivered a powerful message debunking the idea that loving oneself is the greatest form of love. He used the famous Whitney Houston’s song lyrics to illustrate this wrong ideology. We all know what happened to Whitney Houston, and her only child soon followed into her footsteps shortly after her drug overdose.
Crazy Love of Self (The End Times Series, Pt. 1) | Francis ChanCrazy Love Podcast · January 6, 2025
Our children and grandchildren are watching us closely. What ideology, beliefs and values are you illustrating with your time, talents, pursuits and knowledge? When the foundations are shaking, what rock are you standing on? I hope that you’re standing upon Jesus Christ. He must be your chief cornerstone. It took me a while to get there but after much study of the Bible in the last 14 years, I am fully convinced that Jesus Christ is the best foundation for me and my household.
For those of you who are reading the Bible for the very first time, please use the Bible Project videos. Their animation videos are all about 5-6 minutes long and they give you a “Birds Eye” view of each book in the Bible. I use them whenever I feel lost in the details while reading.
Here is a video on “What is the Bible?”
What is the Bible? [Animated Explainer]youtu.be
Here is a video on how to read “The Gospel” in the Bible.
By the way, I didn’t have any of these things when I started to read/study the Bible 14 years ago. These resources are relatively new. They are so great and helpful.
If anyone is interested, Princeton Theological Seminary is having a hybrid mental health conference on 1/17-1/18.
2025 Mental Health Conference – Princeton Theological Seminaryptsem.edu
Speaking about Princeton, if you know of anyone who attended or are attending Ivy League colleges, please share this ministry with them. This ministry focuses on Ivy League universities. Here are some articles from Princeton University. If you scroll down, there are links to stories from other Ivy League colleges.
FYI – here is an interview with the faith leaders who have been hosting revival events in big state universities throughout the USA. Our IU praying parent group has been praying that they host an event at IU. I’m also praying that they come to Rutgers too. 🙏 Please give these faith leaders a listen. The hunger of Gen Z to know God and Jesus Christ for themselves are for real. They don’t want religion and traditions. They also want authenticity from us, the older believers. Basically, we should be humble and without hypocrisy.
Here are some good prayers and proclamations 🙏. May it bless you too.
Journal of Faith 