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2026: Starting Fresh

2026: Starting Fresh

It has almost been an entire month since the calendar was flipped to a New Year. The holiday is commonly used as a reason for fresh starts or personal resolutions, where we look toward bigger and better things for our lives and move on from the weight of the past. But whatever you envision for this year, we challenge you to let God take the reins and be the architect for your life of possibilities. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that He is the creator of all things new; His compassion never ceases (NKJV). A fresh start isn’t about willpower - it’s about God’s grace.

It can be easy to dwell on the things of our past, but what we’ve done and who we were does not dictate our current walk with God. The Gospel doesn’t just offer us a second chance; it offers us a new life altogether. Holding onto guilt, old identities, and past shame ultimately hinders our growth and we’re called to leave it all behind to follow the new path He has set out for us. So where do we even start? It can start with a simple talk with Jesus. Tell Him about the things you are wanting to change and leave behind to follow Him, and watch as the blessings come to fruition as you focus on a new, spiritual walk where you let Him lead.

Have you heard of Peter the Apostle? In the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 14), Peter, along with other disciples, were sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm arose during the night. Fear kept rising when they saw Jesus across the water, asking them to make their way to Him. While the other disciples were too focused on the storm around them, Peter chose to be bold and listen to Jesus’s command. He stepped out of the boat and started walking toward Him. However, whenever his faith was wavering and he took his eyes off Jesus to look at the storm around him, he began to sink. It was only when he kept his focus on Jesus that he was able to stay above the water and walk toward Him to safety. While Peter’s fear and doubt tried to creep in, his choice to focus on Jesus gave him the strength he needed to overcome one of life’s most daunting obstacles.

Whatever obstacles you are facing, whether from the past or current situations, God’s goodness is more powerful. God is more interested in your future than anything you keep dwelling on. Let go and let God take control of your new beginning. He will give you what you need to battle the storm.

A Prayer for Your New Chapter:
“God, thank you for your grace and that my story doesn't end with my mistakes. Thank you for the gift of today and a chance to start over. Help me to let go of the weight I wasn't meant to carry, relinquish all my doubts to focus on what you have in store for my life, and to take one small step of faith today. Amen.”

The Ultimate Gift

9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this
day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. -Luke 2:9-11 NKJV

Merry Christmas from the Torrance Community Church family! As we reflect on the year we are
leaving behind, we are in amazement of the generosity our church has shown. Thank you for
your desire to help your friends, neighbors, and community through love and outreach. As we
look forward to the year to come, we pray for more lives to be changed through discipleship,
hospitality, and kindness, just as God has done for us.

Though we are undeserving, God gave us the ultimate gift when He sent us Jesus. We were
sent a “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, [and] Prince of Peace” (Isaiah
9:6, NKJV).
          ● Wonderful Counselor: Though we might not have all the answers, He does and yearns
              to guide us.
          ● Mighty God: He is righteous and just, yet gives grace when we falter.
          ● Everlasting Father: He is always there to walk through trials with us, holding our hand
             the entire way.
          ● Prince of Peace: He is rooted in spiritual harmony and restoration - He offers us rest.

How lucky are we to have everything we will ever need and more through Christ Jesus?
Because of His sacrifice, we are able to have a personal relationship with Him to guide us into a
life worthy of salvation. Life comes with many challenges, both big and small, but we were never
meant to walk it alone. We are called to be generous with our time, our love, and our energy so
that others can experience the same gift they may not know they’ve been given - a Savior who
loves them and only wants the very best for their lives. Thank you, God, for sending your son to
be a beacon of love and light to guide us through.

Whether you have heard the story of Jesus’s birth a million times or this season is your first, we
would love for you to listen to last Sunday’s sermon that focuses on the joy and love his birth
brings. Many blessings to you and your families this Christmas and going into the New Year!

Your Torrance Church Family

A Season to Be Thankful

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess 5:16-18 NKJV

As we enter this holiday season, it can be easy to get caught up in the busyness and preparation. For some, it’s a time spent with family and friends. Or, maybe you’re the type of person that thrives in the hustle and bustle and loves to do everything when it comes to decorating or hosting! For others, it can be a time when grief strikes the hardest, or when anxieties and stress seem to take over. Whatever this season looks like for you, we’d like to challenge you to take some personal time to reflect on God’s blessings in your life and His ultimate sacrifice.

If you’re having a hard time coming up with things to be thankful for, that’s okay! We all go through difficult seasons in life; you are not alone. Start small - do you have a warm place to lie your head at night? Praise God! Do you have a job that pays the bills? Thank you, Jesus! Even the most mundane things are still blessings.

Everyone is familiar with the traditional pilgrim Thanksgiving, but did you know the first time Thanksgiving was officially declared as a national holiday in the United States was during the Civil War? Many families were grieving a pre-war world and praying their loved ones would come home safely, yet the president called for a day of unity and thankfulness while still acknowledging the sacrifices being made. The same concept can be applied to our daily lives - though we struggle, God is still good.

No matter what this season brings up for you, you have a Heavenly Father who loves you more than you could imagine - all blessings come from Him. Give thanks to all He has done and will do for you; His plan for your life is full of prosperity and hope (Jer. 29:11).