Praise God for Christmas! It reminds us to face the New Year with Hope and Courage!
Isn’t it so apt that just one week before the new year we always have Christmas? Every end of the year we are faced with uncertainties for the future, and especially more so this year! But Christmas reminds us that the One who sits enthroned and rules above all rulers, kings and princes, is the One True Infallible Perfect Ruler. He never makes mistakes, He is in control of everything and He has your back – if you let Him!
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end….
Isaiah 9
Governments, kings, presidents and princes. They are all human and fallible, no matter how smart, strong, smooth, shrewd and savvy they may be. But praise God, we have received the One True Perfect Ruler who rules above all fallible governments, world organizations, institutions, leaders, strongmen and straw men alike. We received Him at the very first Christmas, and His name is Jesus!
Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.
The year 2016 saw the passing away of entertainment icons Prince, David Bowie, George Michael, Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds.. On the other hand, Kim Clement, a Christian prophetic minister, also died in the past year. Clement is probably the most prominent minister to have uttered prophetic words concerning Donald Trump rising as a leader for the American nation. Eventually, 2016 ended with the “upset” win by newcomer and philanthropist-businessman Donald Trump over expected winner ex-Senator and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the American presidential elections. The Obama administration blamed the Russian nation for interfering in the said elections by hacking into Mrs. Clinton’s emails and leaking them, an absurd claim according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Wikileaks’ Julian Assange claims his organization only beamed the leaked emails to the world. Then, just two days before Christmas, on the Sabbath before Hanukkah, the UN Security council passed a resolution for a “two-State solution based on the 1967 lines” concerning the Israeli-Palestine conflict. That implies the division of the city of Jerusalem between the two states of Israel and Palestine. It was carried through because President Obama did not veto it, contrary to what US presidents had done in the past, including himself in September 2015. President-elect Trump had been calling on President Obama to veto the resolution but the latter was defiant, with many citing the deteriorating relations between Bibi and Obama as the main reason for the latter’s actions.
Now with 19 more days in office left in Obama’s 8th and last year in the White House, Trump’s and Israel’s supporters wish they could hasten the presidential inauguration slated for Jan. 20, 2017. Trump had promised that America’s stance on Israel’s plight will be different when he takes over the top post. Meanwhile, they are also pondering what more parting moves Obama is going to pull off in these crucial final days before he ships out from the Oval Office.
With this backdrop for the year 2017 ahead, we do need assurances of hope and stability from God, and praise God indeed for Christmas as we already had that certainty of hope and peace in Jesus Christ when we celebrated Christmas a week ago! He rules the world in truth and grace and that truth brings peace to our hearts, at Christmas and new year, and beyond! Jesus Christ rules now and forever more!
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated hi at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1
“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Revelation 17:14
Desserts at the New Year’s Eve party I attended with my family. I made the naked choc cake garnished with fruits. Yup, I should try a new cake recipe for the coming year, maybe lemon cake!
I am truly happy that Jesus is in my heart and I know He has my back, come what may! How about you? Have you received Jesus in your heart yet? Now, right now, is the best time to do it. Makes one ready for the year ahead like no other! Invite Jesus into your heart now! It’s the only way to truly have a happy new year!!!
A Happy and blessed New Year to one and all!
Click on the image to watch 2017 New Year fireworks in London.
_____________________________________________
References:
1) Kim Clement. (2016, Nov 14). Untitled [Facebook Update]. Retrieved Jan 1, 2017 from https://www.facebook.com/ProphetKimClement/?fref=ts
2) Jacobs, B. (2016, Dec 24). Julian Assange gives guarded praise of Trump and blasts Clinton in interview. [Web Log Post]. Retrieved Dec 30, 2016 from https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/dec/24/julian-assange-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-interview
3) Snyder, M. (2016, Dec 26). Obama Betrays Israel At The United Nations – Is America’s Reprieve Now Over? [Web Log Post]. Retrieved Dec 26, 2016 from http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=902#j0TslKExkwh4oQZL.99
4) Benjamin Netanyahu. (2016, Dec 28). President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel! 
🇮🇱
🇺🇸[Facebook Update]. Retrieved Dec 28, 2016 from https://www.facebook.com/Netanyahu/photos/a.376960237075.156823.268108602075/10154241151347076/?type=1&theater
5) childrenlovetosing. (2013, Oct 20). Joy to the World with Lyrics Christmas Carol & Song Kids Love to Sing. [Video file]. Retrieved Jan 1, 2017 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30OaM6b48k8
_______________________________________________
All Scripture references are from the 1984 New International Version, unless otherwise specified.
_______________________________________________
If you wish to cite this blog, citation is as follows: PureJoyLand. (2017, Jan 1). Happy New Year 2017! [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://purejoyland.com/2017/01/happy-new-year-2017/
_________________________________________________