“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV
A blessed Thanksgiving week and weekend ‘ohana!
WOWZAH…
What… Christmas season already???!!! Can you believe how fast 2025 has flown by? As the year winds down, December is a time where I begin evaluating my year, while praying and planning towards the new year.
I have to be careful though because I can tend to get overwhelmed and disheartened when I overthink of what I’ve NOT accomplished. Or what I’ve could’ve, would’ve or should’ve done. Or how much I need to do or what I need to get done before the end of the year! Because of busyness and procrastination, I can get down on myself for all of my unmet goals, desires.
As I’m thinking about our New Hope Mānoa ‘ohana, I’m thanking God for each of you. Your kindness, hearts to grow mānoa in Jesus and with each other, is such an encouragement to my heart! Week after week, with open and expectant hearts, you seek His presence and hunger to receive God’s Word!
Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers with a heart of affection and appreciation to cheer them forward. He saw their sincerity during the testing of their faith. He recognized their appetite to receive God’s Word to work deeply in them. Paul reminded them of God’s transforming work in the hearts
I believe God is doing that same work in ALL OF US TODAY! So as the Christmas season ramps up, let’s remind our own hearts to…
… slow down,
… stay centered,
… and allow God’s Word transform our lives.
Thank you, church ‘ohana, for exemplifying your desire to grow mānoa in Jesus and with each other! And for loving and growing in Him through God’s Word.
Dear Jesus, please help our ‘ohana to not allow the busyness of this season to crowd out our Savior. Please continue to grace us with Your Holy Spirit’s conviction and heart to be faithful to and focused on what matters most and who matters most—Jesus! Help us not just to finish strong but to grow and remain strong in You—in the name of our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
