But for this we have Jesus....Jesus said, "For this I was born."

Jesus said, "For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth." John 18:37

Each year comes with many unknowns but each year we do know that we have Jesus who has gone before us and who promises to lead us on the path He has already walked ahead of us.

He comes fully sufficient and when the journey is most difficult He promises that He is with us...He is Immanuel (God with us)

The way He has taken me throughout the years was always about what I would learn of Him and of who He was growing me to be in Him....how my heart would be changed, molded and even bruised to conform to His continued work in my life. The cross we carry comes at a great cost...a high price...but it first came with Christ giving His life for us...and although the cost is high it is a privilege to know Him and allow Him to use our lives to bring redemption to this world and that cost is worth it as we see our lives as believers with this heavenly perspective...and with His unfailing Word by our side as a constant companion. His grace always unending. His perspective promised...which is so far greater than our own...where He allows me to see that He is a loving and gracious Father who allows me the privilege to be His Daughter and trust in His ways "As for God His way is perfect" Psalm 18:30

The last three years have been like no other but God gives us all we need and not an ounce more of the things we can handle with Him. For this we have Jesus. As I reflected on the last few years and over 2020...I know that in all He allowed it came through the filtering of His love...and I need not understand it all...but react in trust to Him...and I need more of Him each day. Each year we have always reflected over the many joys and sorrows...and as we looked back we continued to see Gods purposes through it all over the years....And it is always a blessing to remember again as to why He came with another Christmas that has come and pdaste....and no matter what this new year may bring I can cling to the Words Jesus said....the Truth of why He came and why we celebrate His birth, Jesus said, "For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth." John 18:37

Wherever you find yourself today...in whatever circumstance you find yourself in..and for all that God has set before you....for this we have Jesus. For this He has come into the world....and into our hearts and into our day and into all our tomorrows....He alone bears witness to the Truth. In Him we have been given all we need. In Him we have all hope. In Him we have a purpose. In Him we have instructions by His Word. In Him we have His Holy Spirit. In Him we have all Truth to all things....mercy love and grace....and in Him we lack nothing.

This past year has been a year of great reflection for so many. So much uncertainty, loss, pain and change. So many seeking truth. Answers. Solutions. By God's grace and mercy we have been given Truth and we endure and with each new year we enter a land that is set before us and a land new to possess...that He has appointed to us. And with all its joys and sorrows how glorious is it that we conclude each year with our eyes set on Heaven and the hope we have been given despite it all....as we celebrate the birth of our King! Reminded of the eternal hope we have with Jesus and the reason He came...to bear witness to the Truth. And to once again hold on to the Truth and continue to abide in Him as we walk forward once again in the coming of yet another year.

The last few years have come with much loss and uncertainty but as I reflected on Christmas and this next year I am reminded that God's purposes come with such a mixture of joys and sorrow....but I continue to say that through all things is always the truest of Truth in that for this we have Jesus....and for this, is why Jesus came.

As the Lord prompted me on Christmas Eve Eve...I took a long ride through the beautiful country roads by my home. Thinking on all that was, the many memories I had in my heart and being thankful to God for His continued work and the need for me to continue abiding in Him as I felt suspended in what was...and in a place of what is yet to be. Praying for many, seeking the Lord for my own heart to be pliable for all He would have, preparing for family to come for Christmas, wondering of the plans God has for my future while remembering so much of the past...I talked to the One who is perfectly able and willing to handle all of our questions. Asking God why He would allow so much loss to happen over the last few years and too thinking of 2020, a year we will never forget....but certain one that God allowed....and knowing that through all loss and uncertainty and suffering...God always draws us to Himself. He trusts us with all that He allows. For this we have Jesus and for this Jesus came.

Christmas then came, to bring Truth. Nothing can change or alter this Truth. A pandemic cannot alter this Truth...no amount of suffering or loss or uncertainty can alter this Truth. Gods Truth remains the same as it did since the beginning of time....and there is great peace and comfort given when we allow His Truth to be the foundation of our lives.....in spite of a world that is constantly changing. He never does.

As I waited, as I road and looked around that beautiful evening....the skies were clear and the air cool....the sun setting...Gods visible attributes were so clearly seen. The stillness of the evening He possessed and governed. I could not help to recognize His glory in this world continuing to bear witness to a world seeking...to a world seeking Truth..to a world seeking Him....to a world waiting on Him...to a world that He still is waiting on to turn from their ways and repent of their sins in that salvation would come to all who believe in the Truth....For this Jesus came...for this we have Jesus.

As I looked around I got glimpses of this Truth as I seen nativities, wise men and stars and crosses being displayed...how the Lord speaks to us so personally and specifically and the reminders of the hope we have been given where all around me...and that Jesus is not dead but alive and He is still with us all....moving and working and wooing many to Him. There is no darkness that His light cannot shine through...that His grace cannot transform...He comes to make all things new...for this Jesus came...for this we have Jesus.

Then I heard a still and small voice within me...ministering to my heart and with the answer that remains with me today....for each and every thing you hold within your heart Michelle...for this you have Jesus. For all that I have allowed to touch your life its for My glory, for your good, and for the salvation and good of others.....you have Me. His tender voice spoke and again He met my heart and gave me His perspective...once again...and allowed me to see even clearer --it was for times like this that I had Jesus...."O tidings of great comfort and joy!"

Jesus said, for this I have come into the world...for this cause I was born and for this cause I have come into the world...That I should bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. I thank God for His Truth...not mine or the truth this world tries to seek in the opinions of men but for the Truth of God that reveals the only truest of Truths...that can only change our heart and fix mankind and restore peace in our hearts that is only found through Christ.

Jesus came...and the Truth of His coming addresses no heart but those who are seeking Truth. Seeking Him. For those with a void deep within...for those seeking answers, truth and for those seeking a relationship with their Creator who came down to this earth humbly from His throne in heaven...to bear witness to all of mankind of the Truth. How much is at stake as many 'stand at a crossroads today' as to what truth is. Thinking many ways lead to truth. The prophets Jeremiah penned words that remain so True today...."Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you WILL find rest for your souls". Jeremiah 6:16

He indeed has a kingdom and He came into the world to be a King; but His rule is that of the majesty of Truth and His kingdom is to be established by His witness of Eternal Truth which He has known with His Father and which He alone can declare to all men. He came to be that Witness to the Truth and to send forth others to be witnesses to this Truth by His Holy Spirit which guides men into all Truth. His kingdom is not of this world and it does not posses the things of this world through wealth, rulers, or worldly kingdoms....but He spreads His sovereignty and hand over all the kingdoms of this earth. And His Truth will always prevail...and nothing and no one can thwart His plans and purposes in our lives or in this world.

As the wise men came in seeking the star and followed the light which led to the Truth the same is true throughout the ages and today. Everyone who seeks the Lord and the Truth that is found in Him will be led to Him and as He came down to earth He will come into each heart ...this is the True Light that lights every mans soul who believes.

I am reminded that no one is promised a life without sorrow and suffering and injustices...and no one can give peace today except Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Pain and suffering and injustices and the separation of mankind in fellowship with God because of Sin have all been around since man was created over 6000 years ago in the Garden. And since then man has need of a Savior to restore and redeem himself with God through the need of the forgiveness of sins to restore his relationship with God and to be given the greatest of hope, the hope that promises all we need each day God will provide but also the blessed hope of Eternity. For this we have Jesus...for this Jesus came.

He came as a baby and we waited for Christmas to come....and I thank God with you that we can continue to carry the joy of His coming each day and into this new year...and as we await for Him to soon and so very soon, come back again....Until then may we continue to follow after Jesus and cling to the Truth of His Word. May we allow our lives this year to be used by God for the sake of others...and all costs. Jesus has already gone before us....and although all is unknown before us we have the blessed assurance that this new year is known to Him and appointed by Him...and "as for God His way is perfect" Psalm 18:30.....and with God it will be a very blessed new year!

And for all things that He allows this new year...FOR THIS we have Jesus.

"The one who follows Me will not walk in darkness," says the Lord. - "These words of Christ teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true understanding and deliverance for deception of our hearts and minds. Let us, then, most earnestly study and dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ. Christ's teachings surpass all the teachings of holy men, and if we have His Spirit we find spiritual nourishment"

Thomas a' Kempis

So thankful for His Truth....for forever changing my life...for His amazing grace and unending mercy....

In His Everlasting love,

Michelle A. Guerra