As a new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and the hope for tomorrow and the new year to come.

Thanks to the continued support of ACLJ members like you, 2017 was a very important and impactful year in our continuing quest to defend the rights and liberties of all Americans. We have achieved numerous victories for life, national security and persecuted Christians. Here are just a few of this year’s victories that you helped make possible.

After many years of litigation against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), this year we achieved a significant victory. The IRS admitted it discriminated against conservative groups on the basis of their beliefs and apologized for its deplorable behavior. Even more important, we obtained a court order preventing the IRS from ever again discriminating against conservative groups for their beliefs. Here’s how one law professor in The Washington Post described the impact we’ve had on the IRS bureaucracy: “They’ve been burned. They’ve been hammered. They’ve been bludgeoned. … They’re trying to survive.”

At the United Nations, we stood up in defense of Israel—our most important ally in the Middle East. We took direct action at the U.N General Assembly urging world leaders to stand against the BDS Movement (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). We were able to put a spotlight on the U.N.’s anti-Semitic and anti-Israel agenda and defended Israelis against a $34.5 billion lawsuit brought by terrorist sympathizers in U.S. federal court.

Here at home, we  exposed the lies and corruption of the deep state. We uncovered troubling new information about the secretive actions of former Attorney General Loretta Lynch. We forced the FBI to release fired FBI Director Comey’s draft memos exonerating Hillary Clinton before even interviewing her or other key witnesses. Through our work in filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests—and going to court when necessary—we unearthed critical information necessary to hold the FBI, the DOJ and the State Department bureaucracies accountable for blatantly lying not only to us, but also to the American people.

The new year brings new challenges. Big Abortion will continue to peddle its ideology of death. The deep state bureaucrats will keep manipulating Washington. Israel will continue to be under attack at the U.N. And, the global persecution of Christians rages on.

And I’m delighted to report that in the year ahead, we are mobilizing to counter these very real and dangerous threats to our lives, our freedoms and our way of life.

We are determined to stop Big Abortion. We have two pro-life cases pending before the United States Supreme Court. In the first case, California has tried to compel pro-life pregnancy centers to advertise abortion services. However, the state does not have the right to compel anyone to advertise murdering the unborn.

In the second case, the National Abortion Federation has tried to censor incriminating videos of abortionists haggling over the price of baby body parts—actually bargaining about the price of lungs, hearts and other vital organs. Big Abortion is even trying to prevent law enforcement from obtaining this evidence. The Supreme Court has ordered the National Abortion Federation to respond to our cert petition in just a matter of weeks.

Our battle against the deep state intensifies. We still have more than 20 active FOIA requests—seeking vital information from the FBI, DOJ, NSA and State Department bureaucracies. We face a number of critical court deadlines in the weeks and months ahead. With your help, we will defeat the deep state.

The need to stand with Israel is now more important than ever. The U.N. refuses to accept the reality that Jerusalem is truly the capital of Israel. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority continues to align itself with terrorists and wage lawfare against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Further, Hezbollah, Hamas and ISIS continue their reign of terror in the region. In 2018, we will defend the State of Israel at the U.N. and ICC and work to aggressively to counter the ongoing anti-Israel assault underway by radical terrorists in many parts of the world.

Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian, remains on death row for her simple act of Christian charity: giving a Muslim coworker a cup of water while they worked in the fields. She has spent more than seven years away from her husband and five children. Pastor Andrew Brunson, a U.S. citizen, remains, for yet another year, in a Turkish prison on trumped-up charges. Worse still, Christians in the Middle East face genocide at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists as ISIS and its allies continue their jihad against our faith and way of life. Yet, we remain ready to advocate for those who live and fight for their Christian faith. This year we helped free two Christian pastors from possible death sentences in Sudan and defended an elderly Pakistani Christian woman persecuted for her faith. In 2018, we will continue the fight to free the oppressed—to stop the slaughter of Christians around the globe.

We promise to do all that we can—in this country and abroad—to stop the genocide of Christians. The persecution must end.

As a nation and as Christians, we have a good deal to be thankful for in 2017. And we know with the Lord’s blessing, we will continue to achieve great results at the ACLJ—through our legal work, our legislative expertise, and our powerful media outreach.

But most of all, as we face a new year, I want to thank you—those who have stood with us at the ACLJ—those who are supporting our work through prayer and generous giving. I also want to assure you that we can do even more in 2018. Together—as a powerful team.

As the new year begins, I want you to know that we remain committed to safeguarding freedom and human dignity—here at home and abroad.

With the challenges ahead, I cannot help but reflect on the words of the Lord spoken by the Prophet Jeramiah in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

On behalf of the entire ACLJ family, I want to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year.

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People fear many things such as death, sickness, disease, germs, darkness, lack of provision, being alone, rejection, bugs, spiders, bats, snakes, and the list goes on and on. Fear is very real, and it is more than a negative emotion; it’s spiritual. Let’s see what the authority of the Scriptures has to say concerning fear and how to overcome its rage against you. Be encouraged with a word from the Lord, pray this prayer and get free from fear this coming year.

Fear Is a Spirit

^“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).

Against Whom Do We Wrestle?

“For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

You Don’t Have to Fear

:Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).

“In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you” (Isa. 54:14).

Measures to Take to Overcome Fear

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth” (Col. 3:2).

“Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

“He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself” (1 Cor. 14:4a).

“Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

The Righteous in Christ Are Re-Created to Be Bold:

“The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1).

Authority Over Fear

 ^“Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

God Is With You

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can people do to me?” (Ps. 118:6).

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom will I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1).

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

Seek His Peace

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).

What God Has Given You Instead of Fear

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Do Not Fear Tomorrow

“Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof” (Matt. 6:34).

Can Frightful Things Separate You From the Love of God?

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Seek the Lord and Be Delivered From Fear 

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4).

A Word of the Lord

And the Spirit of the Lord would say to you this day, “Why do you continue to live in fear? Do you not know that I am forever near? I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I have given My angels charge over you to protect you. I have sent My Son, Jesus to break the bondage of fear. So why do you continue to bind yourself to its wickedness? My Holy Spirit is with you to lead you and guide you into all truth. The truth in My Word will set you free. Come under the safety of My wings, do not leave the perimeters of My presence. Carry my presence with you wherever you go. I love you with an everlasting love, and it is My perfect love that casts away all fear.” Thus is My word for you this day.

Let’s Pray

Dear Holy Spirit,

Teach me how to be free from this spirit of fear, how to overcome the attacks of this evilness in my life. I seek You and Your deliverance this day.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. {eoa}

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the author of  DARE to Believe, Greater Than Magic and  The Healing Creed. Visit her at .

This article originally appeared at author.

I stood by the table piled with my books after addressing a large group at a women’s conference. And right after I autographed her book, a sweet lady squeezed my hand. “Honey, I loved what you shared about what helped you get through the sorrow you experienced,” she said. “I also have known tragedy. But the reason I made it through is because Jesus gave me the answer. He first became my comforter. Then He became my counselor. And He never left me.”

There you have it: the wisdom of a heart turned from pain to peace. She didn’t bother with resolutions. Instead she embraced the ultimate solution that carried her from day to day, from month to month and from year to year.

And as we begin this year, while the world is busy talking about their New Year’s resolutions, let’s welcome God’s solution. It’s powerful enough to change our outlook, our heart and our destiny. He promises to be:

• Our Comforter. When the burden weighs heavy, the load drains, He will whisper to our soul: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
• Our Counselor. Who reminds us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. Do those things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:6-9).
• Our Captain. When buffeted by rough waters of adversity, His Word speaks to our soul: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame kindle on you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place” (Isa. 43:1-3).

Father, I look forward to a new year with you by my side. Challenges might come, bad news might increase and problems might multiply. But nothing will alter my security. I trust in your protection as my comforter, my counselor and the captain of my ship in the sea of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What solution from the Lord can you count on in this new year? {eoa|

 Janet Perez Eckles is an international speaker and author of four books. She helps thousands conquer fear and bring back joy.

This article originally appeared at .

People fear many things such as death, sickness, disease, germs, darkness, lack of provision, being alone, rejection, bugs, spiders, bats, snakes, and the list goes on and on. Fear is very real, and it is more than a negative emotion; it’s spiritual. Let’s see what the authority of the Scriptures has to say concerning fear and how to overcome its rage against you. Be encouraged with a word from the Lord, pray this prayer and get free from fear this coming year.

Fear Is a Spirit

^“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).

Against Whom Do We Wrestle?

“For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

You Don’t Have to Fear

:Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).

“In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you” (Isa. 54:14).

Measures to Take to Overcome Fear

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth” (Col. 3:2).

“Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

“He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself” (1 Cor. 14:4a).

“Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

The Righteous in Christ Are Re-Created to Be Bold:

“The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1).

Authority Over Fear

 ^“Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

God Is With You

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can people do to me?” (Ps. 118:6).

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom will I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1).

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

Seek His Peace

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).

What God Has Given You Instead of Fear

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Do Not Fear Tomorrow

“Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof” (Matt. 6:34).

Can Frightful Things Separate You From the Love of God?

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Seek the Lord and Be Delivered From Fear 

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4).

A Word of the Lord

And the Spirit of the Lord would say to you this day, “Why do you continue to live in fear? Do you not know that I am forever near? I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I have given My angels charge over you to protect you. I have sent My Son, Jesus to break the bondage of fear. So why do you continue to bind yourself to its wickedness? My Holy Spirit is with you to lead you and guide you into all truth. The truth in My Word will set you free. Come under the safety of My wings, do not leave the perimeters of My presence. Carry my presence with you wherever you go. I love you with an everlasting love, and it is My perfect love that casts away all fear.” Thus is My word for you this day.

Let’s Pray

Dear Holy Spirit,

Teach me how to be free from this spirit of fear, how to overcome the attacks of this evilness in my life. I seek You and Your deliverance this day.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. {eoa}

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the author of  DARE to Believe, Greater Than Magic and  The Healing Creed. Visit her at .

This article originally appeared at author.

Happy New Year, Dear Friends!

 As you move into 2018, why not make your goal to prioritize spending time in God’s Word?

The psalmist wrote that the person who “mediates” on God’s Word day and night is like a “tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; its leaf will not wither, and whatever he does will prosper” (Ps. 1:2-3). Spending time in God’s Word daily not only helps you to become more rooted in your faith, but also gives you wisdom for everyday challenges in your life. I know it can be challenging to find the time—especially when you have little ones—but it is worth the effort. The promise tucked in these verses is that those who meditate on God’s Word and choose to obey it will live fruitful lives.

So how do you get started? Here are a few suggestions:

• Start small. Start by just reading a few verses or even one verse per day. One great place to start is in the Gospels. The stories about Jesus are easy to read, and as you meditate on them, you’ll find truth for your life. Another great place to start is the book of Proverbs. It’s loaded with wisdom on relationships, work and purposeful living. Right now on the front page of my website, I have a new free gift for you called 31 Days of Wisdom. This small e-book focuses on one verse per day from the book of Proverbs, offering insight on that verse and a prayer to pray to internalize the truth found in that verse. Download it and enjoy a month of focusing on God’s wisdom.
• Join a Bible study. It can be very encouraging to join a Bible study with a few friends where you dig into God’s Word and discuss the truths you discover there. A local church in your area probably offers a Bible study. Why not take advantage of one and explore God’s Word in depth? There are lots of great Bible studies out there. I have one that will release February 6—it’s called Who Do You Say That I Am? The study considers some of the tough questions Jesus asked and studies His answers through His “I Am” statements. Considering the questions and claims of Christ will strengthen your faith, even in the toughest of life’s challenges.

• Try memorizing a passage that speaks to you. The Hebrew word for “meditate” used in Psalm 1:2 is the word hagah in the Hebrew language. In Israel, when you meditated, you quietly repeated the Scriptures, rehearsing them in your mind. As you rehearsed, those Scriptures became more cemented in your heart. Cynthia Heald used to say that when you memorize Scripture, you give the Holy Spirit more to work with for life transformation.

Lord, as I enter 2018, awaken in my heart a deeper love for your Word and for meditating on it daily. Show me sustainable habits of spending time with you every day. I pray that 2018 would be a year in which I grow more firmly rooted in my faith so that when the storms of life come—I hold steady. {eoa} 

Becky Harling, an author, certified speaker, leadership coach and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, is an energetic and motivational international speaker inspiring audiences to overcome their greatest life challenges and reach their full God-given potential. Her most recent book is How to Listen So People Will Talk. Her husband, Steve Harling, is the president of Reach Beyond, a nonprofit organization seeking to be the voice and hands of Jesus around the world. Connect with Becky at , Facebook or Twitter.

This article originally appeared at .