2026 : FOLLOW THE STAR

1. Every NEW YEAR is a FRESH START, a journey of three hundred and sixty-five days; a pilgrimage of HOPE. Looking back at 2025, the successes and missed opportunities, 2026 is an exciting opportunity to FOLLOW THE STAR. This brings to mind the "WISE MEN" who travelled from the East to Bethlehem to worship JESUS, "Now when JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem of Judaea ... behold, there came WISE MEN FROM THE EAST to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have SEEN HIS STAR in the east, and are come TO WORSHIP HIM" [Matthew 2:1-2] We may never know how many men set out from the East, we know the journey is close to one thousand miles. In spite of diverse perils, "His STAR" guided them and it was mission accomplished, "And when they were COME INTO THE HOUSE, they SAW THE YOUNG CHILD with Mary his mother, and fell down, and WORSHIPPED HIM and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" [Matthew 2:11] Those who FOLLOW THE STAR accomplish ther purpose and so will you in the new year, if you FOLLOW THE STAR. 

2. Though there were billions of stars in the sky, the WISE MEN were sure which one to FOLLOW,  "Saying, ... WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR in the east, and are COME TO WORSHIP HIM" [Matthew 2:2] The first thing to do is LOOK UP to fing His STAR, not here or there. LOOKING UP means seeking God,  the ONE whose manifestation on earth was indicated by the BRIGHT and MORNING STAR, "I JESUS have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR" [Revelation 22:16] The BIRTH of JESUS CHRIST was the turning point of creation, God was revealed in JESUS CHRIST to REDEEM us from vicarious consequences of SIN, "To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ..." [2 Corinthians 5:19] This new year is a perfect opportunity to make a break with the past and start on a clean slate with God in your corner, "Therefore IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; behold, all things are become new" [2 Corinthians 5:17] Turn your life over to JESUS CHRIST today as your Lord and Saviour.  

3. We'll never know how many months the WISE MEN were on the road, assaulted by diverse challenges. This brings to mind another set of travellers, "And TERAH TOOK ABRAM HIS SON, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, TO GO INTO THE LAND OF CANAAN; and they CAME UNTO HARAN, and DWELT THERE ... and TERAH DIED IN HARAN" [Genesis 11:31-32] Their destination was CANAAN but "HARAN" proved to be a defining stumblingblock. Abraham learnt his lesson quite early and refused to be deterred or distracted; his desire was far higher, more excellent than earthly considerations, "BY FAITH HE SOJOURNED IN THE LAND OF PROMISE, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for A CITY which hath THEfoundations, WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD" [Hebrews 11:9-10] This year, choose to SEE beyond unstable economic, social and political concerns; establish your heart in God's unfailing PROMISES, who is able to do, "...  exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" [Ephesians 3:20]

4. New year resolutions may fizzle out before end of January; predictions and foretelling rarely measure up to weather forecasts. FAITH, absolute TRUST in the WORD of God never fails, "TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS. Be not wise in thine own eyes: FEAR THE LORD, and DEPART FROM EVIL" [Proverbs 3:5-7] Every year comes pregnant with both good and bad turns, likewise WISE MEN from the East; they had their fair share of sweet and bitter bills on the road but never wavered. We have a better deal than them; they started out with the STAR high above them, the STAR arises in our hearts, "We have also A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a LIGHT THAT SHINETH IN A DARK PLACE, until the day dawn, and the DAY STAR ARISE IN YOUR HEARTS" [2 Peter 1:19] Set your compass for the year in JESUS CHRIST, allow the DAY STAR to guide and establish you in the riches of His GLORY, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the HOPE OF GLORY" [Colossians 1:27]