Happy 2026 to you! Grace and peace be yours in abundance!
Our theme at Catalyst Ministries this month is Fresh Start! We hope that you are starting this new year with Great Expectations. With God leading, we can be buoyed by his living hope!
Recently, I was struck by the strong encouragement in 1Peter 1:2-12. (NIV):
Praise to God for a Living Hope
“ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
What do you relate to and resonate with in these verses today? Is it the part about suffering grief in all kinds of trials-for a little while? Is it a comfort in the inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade? Is it a peace knowing that He is a shield for you through his power, by your faith?
For me, I’m resting in him and waiting on him, knowing he is a powerful Shield for me. As we kick off the start of our 12th year of Catalyst Ministries’ service, we have so much to be thankful for. We are excited about all that God has ahead of us in 2026, and we have Great Expectations! We continue to walk by faith, as we have since the beginning, and relate to the verses here. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Our faith is of greater worth than gold!
Thank you for your part in these past 12 years! Thank you for your service, faithful giving, prayers, and words of encouragement. We have done this together! As we look forward to this Fresh Start, please pray regularly for us and the precious ones we serve. Consider joining us for a Work Day, becoming an Impact Donor, organizing or attending a Fundraiser for Catalyst, or volunteering with us. Your part matters, and we’re counting on you, as together we see more women restored, healed, and set free!
With Great Expectations,
Julie
