I was overwhelmed by the responses to my New Year's Eve devotional, Which Way To Go. Readers were very loving and understanding as I outlined my future needs while facing a move to residential care. I really appreciated the love and understanding that were shared with me.

The apostle Paul often spoke of appreciating his readers in his writings. How would you react upon opening a letter from your friend Paul, saying:

Philippians 1:3-5 – I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (NIV 2011)

Philemon 1:4-5 – I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. (NIV 2011)

Reading these passages, I feel like we loved our Lord together. How could we comprehend the Christian path without each other's love and understanding? This is why it is so important in our Christian fellowship to reach out with love to communicate Christ's understanding. We need to share our enthusiasm with each other, appreciating each other. There are many people, especially seniors, in need of help and encouragement today. Please reach out to them and tell them what the love of God is all about. Share your love — they will appreciate your caring.

Psalm 46 has always been my favourite psalm. Do you know these verses by heart?

Psalm 46:1,5 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. … God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. (NIV 2011)

What else do you and I need? We can go forward without fear, knowing that God is our refuge and strength. He is planning to help our every move. Whether we are afraid or going forward in trust with true bravery, God sends us friends to help us to cope. Still, we need to admit that going into the future — as unknown as it is — can be scary. We need the wonderful reassurance that God is with us and will help us.

Let us reach out to each other in love and support, and let's pray for each other so that we can face the future with assurance and a steady, strong faith in Jesus our Saviour.

May God bless you and fill you with trust and faith.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we open to You our yearning hearts, that we may be filled with Your love and trust as we dedicate every day ahead of us to You, O Lord. Jesus, we love You, and in Your name, we pray. Amen.

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