Chestnut Mountain Church

In 2026, God has an assignment for every one of us, and answering that call requires faith. Throughout Scripture, God’s promises are clear, but stepping into them often feels impossible and uncomfortable. The people of Israel experienced this as they stood at Kadesh, on the brink of the Promised Land. God had already delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and promised victory, yet fear and uncertainty caused them to hesitate. Instead of trusting what God had said, they focused on what they saw. The evaluation of the land produced fear, not faith, and their response was disbelief. They said, “We can’t.” But faith sounds different. Faith says, “We can’t, but God can.” As we stand at the beginning of a new year, the call is to walk by faith and not by sight. Do not let the unknown or the lack of details keep you from obedience. Trust God’s Word more than what you see, and take the step of faith. Do not let 2026 be a place of missed opportunity. Don’t let 2026 be your Kadesh. Stand on the brink of God’s promise and move forward by faith.

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A new year brings excitement and new beginnings, but it can also bring the temptation to add more to what is already heavy. Before picking up anything new in 2026, we lay down some old things from 2025. Hebrews 12 reminds us that before we fix our eyes on Jesus, there are things that must be laid aside. You cannot run the race God has for you while carrying what slows you down. We are told to lay aside every hindrance and the sin that entangles us. A believer cannot run freely when wrapped up in sin, shame, or old ways of thinking. Conviction is a gift from God, given because He loves us. Strength comes from fixing our eyes on Jesus, who gives the power to overcome and not pick it back up. Satan accuses and reminds us of failure, but Jesus is our advocate who has already paid the penalty. Lay down what is behind, fix your eyes on Jesus, and run the race God has set before you. 

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As we step into a new year, Scripture calls us to live by faith and not by sight. We live in a visually driven culture, but sight is factual and not always truthful. From the beginning, the enemy has worked to deceive through what looks good and seems desirable. If we are going to live faith forward in 2026, we cannot trust our eyes. We must ask a better question: What does God say about what I see? Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is the proof of what is not seen, and without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith always stands in opposition to sight. Living faith forward means believing God’s Word and doing things that only God can do. Faith begins with understanding, but it must move us to action. Scripture gives clear examples of faith in action. Noah believed God and built an ark when it made no sense. Moses walked away from comfort and stepped forward at the Red Sea. By faith they understood, by faith they acted, and by faith they persevered. As we move into 2026, the call is the same. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus

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There has always been excitement and anticipation on Christmas Eve, along with an unexplainable peace. It is a night to pause, take a deep breath, and embrace the overwhelming peace that comes with remembering the birth of Jesus. As we reflect on the three gifts the wise men brought, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we are reminded that these were not gifts for Jesus to use, but testimonies to who they believed Jesus was. Gold acknowledged how precious Jesus is. Frankincense pointed to Jesus as the one who came to seek and to save the lost. Myrrh, though it did not look like much, carried deep meaning. In Scripture, myrrh was used in burial and embalming, symbolizing suffering and death, yet it was also used as an anointing oil, recognizing royalty. This small gift acknowledged both the suffering and the kingship of the child they came to worship. As we celebrate His birth, we must also remember the purpose of His birth. Jesus was sent to lay down His life, to suffer, and to redeem. He was sent to rescue the lost and offer eternal life. On this holy night, we remember not only the baby in the manger, but the Savior who would give His life for us. As we are still and remember, we are reminded that Jesus loves us right where we are, and that He was sent so that we could have life, and have it everlasting.

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After their journey, the wise men came to Jesus and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While gold showed they were open handed with what was valuable, frankincense carried deep significance. In Scripture, frankincense was used by the high priest as an offering of prayer and intercession for sinful people. It was burned in the presence of God as a sweet aroma, representing prayers rising to heaven and the people being made right with a holy God. Frankincense was precious because of what it was used for. Its value was determined by its purpose. When the wise men brought frankincense to Jesus, they were not giving Him a gift to enjoy. They were acknowledging that Jesus was the gift. By offering frankincense, they declared Jesus as the great and perfect High Priest, the only one who could reconcile sinful people to God. The only acceptable offering before a holy God is Jesus. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him. Who do you say that Jesus is? Is Jesus your one?

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As we walk through the Christmas story and the three gifts brought to Jesus, we are reminded of the danger of knowing the story without letting it reach our hearts. Gold was the first gift presented, and it carried deep meaning. In Scripture, gold represents value, kingship, security, and control. The Magi brought gold because they understood who they were coming to see. They believed the revelation and came prepared to worship, falling down before a child they recognized as King. Their joy came before they ever saw a miracle because revelation produced worship. They also brought gold because they held it lightly. Money did not master them. They came open handed, ready to give without expectation, worshiping Jesus simply because He was worthy. Gold represents the things we value most and the things we often trust for security and control. Jesus is not weighing how much is given. He is weighing the heart. When Jesus is seen rightly, earthly treasures are held lightly, freedom is found in surrender, and faith replaces control. What is your gold?

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God has set His children free for a purpose. God did not save anyone to sit. He saved and empowered His people to do what He has called them to do. Everything we have is a gift from God, and He will provide everything needed for what He asks us to accomplish. The children of Israel lost sight of this. Difficult circumstances led them to become self absorbed, and they failed to steward their time, their abilities, and their resources. They used what God had given for themselves rather than for the purpose God intended. Their paneled houses became a picture of taking the wealth and luxury God provided for His house and using it only for their own. However, peace and security are never found in what we hold onto but in what we let go of. Everything belongs to Him. The call is to be open handed with what God has given, expecting nothing in return, trusting that little is much when God is in it. When we walk in obedience, He will bless. Ask God what He would have you give to, and watch what God will do with your obedience as you experience the peace, security, and joy that come from living open handed with all He has entrusted.

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Biblical stewardship is managing the resources and abilities God has given and using them to accomplish what He has ordained. Everything we possess is a gift from God, entrusted to us for His purpose. Like the children of Israel, it is easy to begin with excitement and then become distracted, using time, talents, and abilities to build our own kingdom instead of the Kingdom of God. Through Haggai, God calls His people to think carefully about their ways, to think carefully about their time, and to think carefully about the talents and abilities He has given. God had given Israel everything they needed, the ability to go, the skill to build, and the strength to complete His assignment, yet they used it for themselves and were never satisfied. When what God has entrusted is held tightly, it will not be blessed. When God’s people live with reverence and awe for the Lord, their dependence on His presence grows. Little is much when God is in it, and God desires His people to be open handed with what He has given so that He receives the glory.

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Communion is never about checking a box or doing something because it is what we do. It is a moment to slow down and remember the rescue. Scripture takes us back to Passover when God delivered His people and death passed over those covered by the blood of a spotless lamb. Jesus took that same meal and pointed it to Himself, His body given and His blood poured out so that eternal death would pass over all who believe in Him. Paul reminded the church in Corinth of the weight and seriousness of the Lord’s Supper. Before taking the bread and the cup, believers are called to examine their hearts, to confess sin, and to pursue unity with others so they do not take this moment lightly. The invitation is also extended to anyone who does not yet know Christ because everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Communion becomes a time to remember what Jesus has done, to give thanks for His sacrifice, and to sit in the presence of the One who offers forgiveness, freedom, and life.

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God had promised to give the children of Israel everything they needed to rebuild the temple, including the gift of time. But when their priorities shifted, the first thing they failed to steward was that time. For 17 years, they did nothing with the assignment God had given them. Through Haggai, God calls them to “think carefully about your ways” and to evaluate how they had used their days. Time is one of the most overlooked gifts God has given us. Our days are numbered, and every one of them has a purpose. Like Israel, it is easy to let circumstances distract us and keep us from God’s presence and His work. When we face difficult times, we must choose whether we will run to Him or away from Him. When we give Him our time, He adjusts everything else. The dash between our birth and death is what God has entrusted to us. While there is still breath in our lungs, how will we use the time God has given us?

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