Happy New Year, Eternal Family!

As we begin the new year I wanted to take time to share with you a life-changing, eye-opening, and fear-crushing truth that was revealed to me in the very last days of 2018. I was reading this book titled Cling by Kim Cash Tate (Highly Recommended). I have been reading this book for a while now but for some reason, I lingered in completing the book, which is very unlike me because I usually read through books fast. But as I came to the end of the book on December 29th, 2018, I realized the maybe God wanted me to finish this book at the end of the year. This way I could hold on to the truth that I discovered in the last chapter of the book and take it into the new year.

That truth is EMMANUEL. 

I know it doesn’t seem like a new truth.

Most, if not all of us know that Emmanuel means, “God with us.” We heard and read about it (Matthew 1:23). I also thought I knew all about Emmanuel. But the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and heart to the power in the name of God, Emmanuel. 

So I don’t know if you are like me and you were kind of scared and worried about how this new year is going to turn out. You want the new year to be better and bigger than 2018 but you are not quite sure how to do things better this year. And you just want some form of affirmation that this year is going to be better. Well, that is exactly why I want to share the power of Emmanuel with you. The power and assurance that comes with knowing that God is with you. 

Remember the story of Joshua?

God chose Joshua as the new leader after Moses death to led the children of Israel into the promised land. Though Joshua was serving very close to Moses and got some firsthand leadership tips, God knew that he was still scared to step into the position. Just as you probably have all your plans for 2019 laid out but there’s still a bit or lot of fear in your heart.

Let’s see how God strengthen Joshua;

 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you (Emmanuel); I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them __ Joshua 1: 5-6

God emphasized his name as Emmanuel to Joshua. But God knew that saying it once was not enough because we all need reminders right?

So, God said it again in Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you  (Emmanuel) wherever you go.”

Like Joshua God is reminding us that the courage and strength we need to walk confidently in the year cannot come from our long list of resolutions and plans but from His PRESENCE in and with us.

The great thing is, God is always with us because his spirit dwells in us. But sadly we forget that. So we live fearfully. Fear of failure, fear of people’s opinion, fear of our incapability, etc. But when we consciously walk in the knowledge of Emmanuel (God with us), we can walk confidently and fearlessly in this new year. 

If God is for us and with us, who or what can be against us? Nothing and absolutely no one ___ Romans 8:31

I don’t know about you, but I want this year to be what God has purposed it to be. And I refuse to be held back by fear. This is my year of fearless living because I know God is with me so I can be strong and courageous in all I do. 

We could have all our year planned, goals set but what’s the point if we don’t have our minds and heart set right? Don’t be held back by fear this year. 

Amazingly, God had revealed this truth to one of my friends too and as we discussed, she said something I couldn’t overlook:

EMMANUEL, the reassurance to be fearless. Nothing could be more comforting _ Hope Aigbogboh

Walk this year in the revelation of Emmanuel (God with us). Be strong and courageous!

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Thank you all for always visiting the Growing God’s Eternal Family’s blog and reading. I am extremely grateful and I hope you have been blessed, inspired and encouraged by our posts last year. Here’s to another year of sharing more truth from God’s word and  deepening our relationship with God. I love you all. Have a glorious year. God Bless you. 

You are Eternally Loved