'Tis the Season of Encouragement

During this season, we see so many people, young people especially, who have lost heart and lost hope. They don’t see any reason to go on living; they don’t see a purpose for the future, and it’s really one of the modern-day tragedies of our times.

If you turn to the gospel of Luke, it talks about how God came to each one of us. Angels announced Christ’s birth to shepherds, and then “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:13-14, NKJV). Think about this for a moment! The God who created us and the universe, who could destroy it all with a thought of his mind; but what does he do with all of his might, glory and righteousness? He comes down to earth, to a little town called Bethlehem, because he was not willing to destroy his creation.

Jesus himself stated this. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Who could deliver Paul from his body of death? Who could deliver Elijah from his despair and desire to die?

Sometimes we rush ahead, though; we don’t just take life day-by-day and ask for the strength to face this day. God, though, walks with those who walk with him. He gives strength and provision, and we become a new creation.

We don’t become religious; we become a new person. How many of you are a different person than you were even a year ago? You’re living in the miraculous now. I know I don’t stand here by any natural ability. I know I stand by something God gave to me when I chose to walk with him. There’s no limitation to what can be done or endured when God is at the very center of our lives.

This is not a season to be discouraged if you know God or even if you want to know God. This is a season of joy which no man can take from us if we entrust ourselves to Christ! That’s why the angels sang ‘Joy to the world!’ We have peace with God.

^{Carter Conlon joined the pastoral staff of Times Square Church in 1994 and was appointed Senior Pastor in 2001. In May of 2020 he transitioned into a continuing role as General Overseer of Times Square Church, Inc.}