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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What will the new year bring?
For many years, New Years Eve was always accompanied with a cloud of foreboding. It seemed that all the negative possibilities of the coming year loomed before me and left fear and dread in its wake. I did not have peace or joy as I anticipated the coming year.
Do any of you relate to these feelings? How do you feel about 2009 being just around the corner? I am happy to tell you that this attitude is no longer present with me. In fact the Lord has totally changed my feelings in this regard. He changed my feelings as I have grown closer to Him.
I use to have feelings of fear and dread because I did not know what would happen in the coming year. I could imagine all kinds of problems and difficulties and then wonder what we would do if those things came to pass. I have come to realize that my peace and security is not in knowing what will happen in the future but in choosing to trust the One in control of the future. This is the real question, "Do we trust God with our future?" Are you secure in knowing that He does all things well and makes no mistakes?
You may answer that you know He is in control but what if He has planned difficult and even painful things for the coming year? Well life has shown me that He does not give the grace for those times in advance, but as the need arises. None the less, His grace is sufficient and He will be with us in those times as well as in the easier ones. Deuteronomy 31:8 is one of the verses that I claim as I anticipate a new year. "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
To have the feelings of security and peace for the future you must be convinced of two things: God's sovereignty and His unconditional, abiding love. Nothing will come into our life that is not for our good. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 Nothing enters our life without His permission, not even the things that our enemy intends for our harm. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11
Let me encourage you not to fear or dread the coming year but rather to be at peace, confident in the One who already has the way planned for you. He, your personal Shepherd will be with you every step of the way and supply every need you may develop. This is a guarantee as He has promised and He can not lie!
I personally believe the rapture of the saints is very near and this could be our last chance to show our Lord how much we love Him. Consider the coming year as a clean, white sheet of paper waiting to be filled with acts of obedience that will glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I do pray that each of you will enter 2009 with anticipation and excitement at what the Lord will do in your life. I encourage you to take a minute and share something from your experience with Christ on our guest book. God bless you!
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- Sandy Hastings |
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