The Lord is in Control!

Carol Kuykendall was on the staff of MOPS International (a global ministry to mothers of preschoolers) for 15 years – writing, speaking and equipping mom leaders all over the world. She shared this inspiring devotion for the New Year entitled, “Encouragement for the New Year: Leave your worries and fears in God’s loving and capable hands” at Guideposts.org.

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20 (NIV)

I sometimes think New Year’s Day comes at the wrong time of year. I’m usually facing a bunch of tasks left over from the old year, like taking down the Christmas tree and putting away all the decorations, writing thank-you notes and dealing with decisions about what to do with the stack of Christmas cards. Throw them away? Save the ones with pictures? Check the addresses? Then there’s the thought of trying to catch up with all the work I put off during the holidays. I’m behind before the New Year even starts.

“Who can think about new beginnings or inspirational goals in the midst of old concerns?” I asked my lawyer-husband Lynn as he came in the door after a quick trip to the office to complete a couple of year-end responsibilities.

“Let me show you a gift I just received,” he said, pulling an attractively wrapped package out of his briefcase. On it was a card: “To Lynn. May this gift encourage you in the coming year.” It was signed by a friend in his Bible study group.

Lynn tore off the paper and lifted out a beautifully framed message, penned by a professional calligrapher. The message read:

Lynn,

Trust Me. I have everything under control.

Jesus

He set the frame down amidst the clutter on the kitchen counter so I could see that simple message as I went about my tasks. Slowly those words began to change my frame of mind. If I needed something to help me carry my old concerns into the New Year, I’d just found it … the determination to face each day’s concerns, trusting in the words of this promise from the Source of all comfort and strength.

Father, each day in this new year, please help me remember that You are in control of everything.

The Lord is absolutely in control! He is Large and in Charge! He sits on His throne and will rule and reign both now and throughout all eternity. So don’t let the troubles and uncertainties and worries about today overwhelm you and cause you to be anxious. Instead, declare the greatness and supremacy of the Lord – that there is nothing too hard for Him to do and there is no one above Him. Then let faith rise up in your heart to believe Him for great things and to receive great things. Amen!

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This Sunday, January 11, we will begin a new series entitled “Step Out in Faith!” Over the next months we will be inspired by the lives of people who stepped out in faith and experienced great victories. This Sunday? “Noah: Faith to Overcome the Impossible!” (Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 6:5-8). Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

If you are new to Honolulu Assembly of God and/or are curious about church membership, the “Joy of Belonging” classes are happening each Sunday in January at 9:30am. Each class features inspiration and information that every Christian should know, including this Sunday’s class, “The Story of the Church.”

Aloha ke Akua!