Today I’m asking you to take a risk. I believe God has more for us in 2022! We’re not called to just live, but to an abundant, joy filled life. Let’s not just swim into this year, but jump into the deep end of obedience and see what God does! I can’t wait!

Christians experience koinonia. Sure, sports teams, frats, mom’s clubs, and best friends come close to having that bond. But Christians are glued with something more profound and spiritual. This koinonia is the fellowship the Trinity has with one another, and we too get a glimpse of this as the body of Christ.

I wonder how incredibly different our outlook on life would be, how much more encouraged our spirit would feel, and how different our problems might look as we approach them with confidence rather than fear. Of course it’s not a bad thing to ask God for what we need - but what if we didn’t always hop straight to the to-do list? What if we reserved time to just thank Him?

Maybe you’re like me and you have made a lot of mistakes throughout your life… ones that you’re not super proud of. You see, God factored in all of the mistakes that we would make, and He still chose us. Let that sink in for a moment. You are not your mistakes. You are a child of God.

No difficulty will be too great for us to overcome in Christ! What's required? Faith! And not watermelon-sized faith, but mustard seed-sized faith. In other words, it's not the quantity of faith, but the quality of faith that turns mountains into molehills! That is, do you really believe God WANTS TO in your life?

As followers of Jesus Christ, God has given us everything we need (great input) to experience quality output (a godly life). When we fill our minds with the things of God, we are liberated, we are set free from the bondage of sin and darkness.

We’re already halfway through the month of January! Have you started any new spiritual rhythms? What? You haven’t had a chance yet? I know it’s not easy. But if you want 2022 to be a year of growing closer to God and others, I encourage you to begin! It’s just like learning to walk… take the first step!

The question for us this January of 2022 is, are you devoted to the Bible? The Word of God gives us direction, and prayer provides us with the power to live it out. But the first baby step is to slow down and meditate on the Bible. Friends, what a great opportunity we have as we start the new year to re-dedicate ourselves to the Bible.

Let’s not walk through this year alone. Let’s bear the weight of life together. Let’s find people to hold us accountable as we accomplish our goals. Two are better than one. God wants us to band together, as we navigate the chaos and beauty of our broken world.

The story of Bartimaeus is a testament to the healing power of Jesus, but also an encouragement to activate your faith. To see things through the eyes of the Father and to allow Him to guide you. Just as the people attempted to silence Bartimaeus as he was crying out to the Lord, the world may be doing the same to you.