Merry Christmas!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!! Oh my goodness I can’t believe that Christmas is already here!!

I hope you guys have an amazing time with family, friends, and loved ones! Christmas is a very special time of the year- not only do we get to spend time with the people we love, but it is also a time to celebrate the REASON for the season- JESUS!

Since Jesus’ birth, the world has never been the same. Jesus, God’s one and only Son (John 3:16-17) came and was born in human flesh; so that we could have a relationship with Him! Jesus saved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)!

I know it can be easy to just go through the motions of Christmas. Do the yearly traditions, listen to the Christmas songs, and read the Christmas story- and all of these things are AMAZING! But, let’s not become stagnant and forget the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place! We aren’t just worshipping a baby in a manger- we worship the KING of KINGS, LORD of LORDS, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE, The One who conquered the grave! Let’s worship Jesus with awe, gratitude, and reverence- remembering who He is and all He has done for us!

Another thing that I love about Christmas is it is a time for gift-giving! I don’t know about y’all, but whenever I give someone a gift, I feel so refreshed! And guess what, it actually talks about it in Scripture! In Proverbs it says:

“The generous will prosper, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 and in Acts 20:35 it says that “it is more blessed to give, than to recieve.”

I want to both encourage and challenge y’all, to not only refresh someone by giving them a gift, showing that you love and care for them. But then to also give someone the best gift of all, and that is sharing the Gospel message! People need to hear about Jesus- but they aren’t going to if nobody tells them! Don’t wait- let’s be obedient to our calling to “Go and Make Disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20)!

One last thing I want to touch on, is going into the New Year! Can y’all believe that it is already almost 2025! (I still can’t believe it!)

This is the time when we usually make our new year’s resolutions and goals. We select areas we want to focus on, and grow in going into the new year. But I want to challenge y’all to seek the Lord; pray and ask Him what He wants you to focus on. Each day is a gift from God, and so we need to steward every day well- and the best way to do that is 1. Surrender every single day, 2. Pray and ask the Lord to guide you along His plans, 3. Be ready and available for the Holy Spirit to move and 4. Be obedient!

Another way to seek the Lord, is to pray and fast! I love to do a fast right at the beginning of the New Year, and this is because praying and fasting are SOOO powerful! It is denying our flesh, getting ourselves out of the way, and seeking the Lord wholeheartedly for what He wants us to do! It is allowing ourselves to be led by Him! In the Bible, it talks about how important and powerful praying and fasting is! Here are just a few Scriptures:

Ezra 8:23, Joel 2:12, Matthew 6:16, and Acts 13:3 (a little homework :) to go and read these!)

And, Jesus fasted! In Matthew chapter 4 we read about Jesus fasting for 40 days and nights! And if Jesus did it, then we should be too! From my own personal experience, there were many times I needed clarity about a situation, and it wasn’t until I prayed and fasted that I heard the Lord’s direction! Fasting deepens my relationship with the Lord, and grows our faith! Let’s seek our ABBA as we go into 2025, and let Him lead us!! I want to end with a little prayer; could you pray this with me today?

Lord, we love You SO MUCH! Thank you Jesus for coming, living a humble and perfect human life, and then dying on the cross for our sins! Lord You chose to do that, even while we were still sinners! I can’t even comprehend how amazing You are! You are our source of life, purpose, our cornerstone (Acts 4:11)! Thank You for loving us so much, and wanting to have a relationship with each and every one of us! Lord, going into the new year, we just want Your will to be done; on earth as it is in Heaven! Use us how You want to; let us be coins in Your pocket, spend us how You want to! We surrender right now all of our hopes, dreams, goals, and plans. We lay it all down at Your feet Jesus. We trust that nothing is wasted in Your economy, and You are faithful to take care of Your children! We surrender and ask for clarity for our next steps. What would You like us to do next? Lord, how can we bless You, and serve the people around us today? I pray for Your wisdom, and guidance Abba. And I also pray that You would highlight an area that You want every single one of us to focus on this year! We want to steward each and every day well. And so we pick up our cross- get ourselves out of the way- and are available Holy Spirit for whatever You want to do, wherever You want to go! We love You so much Jesus, and we can’t wait for this new year, full of new adventures with You!

Have an amazing Christmas and a Happy New Year!! I love y’all so much, and Jesus loves you more!

2024 Photo Gallery-

2024 was truly life-changing:

I was freed from things that were holding me back from being who God created me to be.

I made true, godly friendships. These girls are my sisters who sharpen and refine me, and I can’t wait to see our friendships grow.

I’ve stepped out in new ways for the Lord- challenging myself to be more bold for the Lord every day.

I have become confident in WHO and HOW God has made me!

I became closer with my amazing family!

I got to go on amazing adventures with the Lord.

I received clarity about what is next…… you guys will find out soon (oooo suspense:):))

I will never be the same person I once was. 2024 was a turning point in my life. I am forever grateful for the Lord, and the life He has blessed me with!