You look around at a chaotic situation, and the question is automatic:
Who’s in charge here? Who’s in control?
You and I, with the Eternal Creator as our Shepherd, can be eternally optimistic, even in the midst of chaos, knowing we will not lack anything. He will keep those in shalom-shalom—perfect peace, according to Isaiah 26:3—whose mind is stayed on Him . . . because we trust in Him!
Yes, there’s noise, and there’s confusion. As you read this, I’m in Cuba—a nation on high alert because of events in Venezuela. We’re preparing to launch a threefold campaign for families, praying for more than a thousand people to come to the Lord. But international conflicts loom.
The two nations are intertwined. Venezuela became a benefactor to Cuba after the collapse of the Soviet Union. When Venezuela’s economy failed, aid to Cuba dropped off. As a result, the Cuban people are in harder-than-ever economic straits.
Governments and people are on edge. Friends known to the Cuban government came to Miami for a visit and were questioned at length on their return as to the nature of their visit and the background of those they visited.
The news on multiple international fronts is making people nervous:
- In Venezuela, more than 30 elite Cuban troops in charge of security for President Maduro were killed by U.S. troops.
- Cuba is on pins and needles not only about these killings but also about the ultimatum they are getting from President Trump.
- Ukraine has seen an increase in aggression from Russia in tandem with a possible peace deal. I’m constantly receiving alerts and updates involving our team there, day and night.
- Iran is in disarray as more and more people are demonstrating, and as I write this, the Iranian government is under threat of intervention by the U.S.
- I’ll teach a course in Venezuela via Zoom the week after next—unless the internet is cut off by military action.
- A U.S. supercarrier is conducting fire exercises in the South China Sea, water that China claims as its own.
And on and on. Of course, the good news is that in times of trouble, people begin to look for God. They remember that we’re not capable of handling life merely through politics or diplomacy; we can’t depend on humanism or any other philosophy or man-made strategy.
We always have needed—and always will need—God. God knows this and wants His people to boldly proclaim the promise of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.”
This Psalm seems to focus on natural disasters explicitly! “We will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea,” it says. Bottom-line message: the Lord is the sure defense of His people, even in the worst possible circumstances . . . circumstances beyond human control.
Who’s in charge here? God is. Psalm 46 makes clear that God’s people are secure because He is ever present. We are secure from all enemies!
The Psalm refers to God as a calm, powerful, and peaceful river. God is able to melt the nations. In verse 7, and again in verse 11, He appears not as an analogy, but as the Lord of Hosts on guard for the defense of His people.
He is not “somewhere out there.” Verses 7 and 11 make it clear: “The Lord of hosts is WITH US; the God of Jacob is our stronghold!”
Where does this leave you and me? We will not fear. We will proceed into the year to proclaim that God is a refuge for all who need His security and His protection. He is the same God who is mighty in the battle of salvation, according to Psalms 22, 23, and 24.
The three Psalms, 22, 23, and 24 are a trilogy:
- Psalm 22 tells us of His battle on the cross to save us.
- Psalm 23 tells us of God’s care as Jesus walked through the valley of death for us.
- Psalm 24 tells us of His coronation after His victory over death having paid for our sins.
“Who is the King of glory?”
“The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. He is the King of glory. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the king of glory”
(Psalm 24:8,11).
So, we go into 2026 in the train of His victory and strength—to build His church—and the gates of hell will not prevail against His battle for the souls of mankind.
Here’s what it looks like in practical terms: A FULL AGENDA!
- We have campaigns in Cuba scheduled for the first quarter: January through March.
- In February, we’re due in Nepal, where we’ve begun a program to feed the children, mentor them in school, and teach them about the Lord and about the Bible, just as we are doing for children in India.
- We’re also scheduled to travel to Myanmar to see about a partnership to plant churches.
- Our teaching, training, and church planting are ongoing in Spain.
- Likewise, in Ukraine, we continue training young leaders and planting church even in the midst of war.
- In the Philippines, the training is ongoing, evangelism is a mighty wind of the Spirit bringing tens of thousands every month face-to-face with the Gospel and Salvation.
- We’re supposed to conduct multiple activities throughout the year in Spain.
- We’re planning on some of our teams from Portugal participating, so they can begin replicating the work in their own country as well.
Plus: graduations are planned for Spain and Venezuela in late spring—as well as summertime evangelistic outreaches in Europe and Asia.
Even this isn’t all of it. The fall is already dotted with dates for banquets where we’ll report on all the work accomplished and consider the wonderful doors of opportunity for eternal gains as they open up.
We’ll follow up on last November’s Spain trip with an autumn Harvest Gathering featuring a course on eschatology, the study of the final prophecies for planet earth. Dr. Ken Horton, one our great visiting professors and a Dallas Theological Seminary board member and teacher, will be teaching that course. (Can you join us in Spain, to enjoy the three-day course in eschatology in the company and fellowship of our students, in the beautiful mountain setting of our campus?)
In November we’re planning a trip to Israel, crisscrossing the country and ending with a Thanksgiving dinner in Jerusalem. (Maybe you can join the chorus of those who, filled with hope, call out to their friends as a farewell, “Next year in Jerusalem!”)
And the final recorded events on our 2026 calendar, as usual, are the last course of the year with the students in Spain.
The year ahead looks like a rollercoaster . . . a year that flies by—once it begins, it won’t stop till the end of the ride! Don’t like rollercoasters? Don’t worry. This rollercoaster is in God’s hands—He is in control—and all things will work together for good by His purpose and perfections.
Paul in his travels might have likewise felt like he was on a rollercoaster, especially in storms at sea. But Paul discovered what you and I can depend on: God will not allow more than we are able to bear, in temptation or in experiences.
This is a crucial truth for us to remember, because this year will certainly be dotted with surprises. We’ll be bombarded with opportunities and distractions. The question for each of us must be: What will I choose to do—and what will I choose NOT to do?
You probably know about the Jar of Life. In this exercise, a glass jar represents your life—big rocks symbolize the important tasks or priorities (family, health, career, etc.); sand represents less-important activities; and water represents minor, everyday tasks.
If you fill the jar with sand and water first, there won’t be enough space for the big rocks. But if you put the big rocks in first, you can still fill in the sand and water—demonstrating the importance of prioritizing what truly matters in life.
Jesus was aware that the concerns and worries of life will normally consume all of our time and energies. So He addressed those first (Matthew 6:33). Yes, all the “bills”—for housing, clothing, and food—normally make us anxious and worried. But the Father has more care for us than for the flowers and birds whom He clothes and feeds.
We should prioritize the Kingdom of God and His righteousness . . . and trust that all the other things we need will be given to us!
I’ve had to work on this throughout my life and ministry. It can be scary—like walking on water. But when we seek prosperity first, we fail. Seeking the Kingdom must be our priority.
When the word priority first appeared in the English language, some 400 years ago, it meant “first.” It was singular. It was mathematical. But in modern times, it’s gone plural. We talk about priorities.
Jesus shows us that first means first. Only one number is in the first order. Jesus says we need to make His Kingdom and His righteousness first. The Father will provide for all of our other needs. He’s in control! He is Lord! Let us seek Him first, as THE priority, today and every day this year.
I invite you to give, generously and freely, to this Kingdom work, knowing that God will provide for you . . . and knowing that God will multiply your generosity through the ministries of our teams all around the world. Your gift today will mean souls saved, churches planted, and lives transformed by the power of God’s love!
Thank you! God bless you!
Joyful in His service,
Dr. Manny Fernandez
P.S. Chaos is a fact of life. But our Lord is unfazed. He sees the end from the beginning. We have the privilege of joining Him in His purposes! I am grateful that He has called you and me together “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Let me hear from you soon!