As I reflect on the passing of 2015 I am drawn to the comfort and strength of the sovereignty of God. This year has been filled with hills and valleys. There have been joys and difficulties, both personally and in the pastorate. I have witnessed the joy of the salvation experience as sinners have been born again as believers in Jesus Christ. I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death with precious saints as their loved one stepped into eternity. I have seen the wonder and excitement of precious new lives brought into this world... my, what a wonderful privilege it is that God gives to us in the rearing of children! I have also witnessed the difficult trial of sickness, disease and physical infirmities. Ministry difficulties and victories have both been present. There have been ups and downs. There has been good and bad. There has been joy and hardship. 2015, in a word as been unique; and through all of it God has been so gracious. His sovereign hand has been clearly evident. I cannot help but to be reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says, "... in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you..."
Because God is sovereign and supreme I can look forward to 2016 with great anticipation! After all, He has more than proven Himself to be true. To be clear, there are really only two options on how 2016 may be approached: either in faith or with fear. Which do you suppose honors God? Of course, the answer is faith! The truth is that as a believer in Christ faith is my only real option. To operate in fear is sin, and "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Heb.11:6).
With that in mind let me say that I am generally not one to make New Year's resolutions. However, I want to ask you to join with me; together let us RESOLVE to make 2016 the year of FAITH. Let us resolve now that whatever may come our way, wherever God may lead us, whatever decisions must be made in our lives and whatever joys or difficulties we may face that we will TRUST GOD. Let us resolve that we will not be men and women of FEAR, but men and women of FAITH! God is sovereign! God is supreme! He is worthy of our trust and the only proper recipient of our faith. I look forward to 2016 with a hope and belief that God desires to use my life, my family and my church to be used in such a way as to bring Him maximum glory; and I, here confess my resolve: I resolve to trust God! I resolve to place my faith in Him in a complete and reckless abandonment! I resolve to be a man will believe God! I resolve that, as much as it is within my power, that 2016 will be the greatest year of my walk with God! Let's take the days ahead by storm... for the glory of God!
Who's with me?
Because God is sovereign and supreme I can look forward to 2016 with great anticipation! After all, He has more than proven Himself to be true. To be clear, there are really only two options on how 2016 may be approached: either in faith or with fear. Which do you suppose honors God? Of course, the answer is faith! The truth is that as a believer in Christ faith is my only real option. To operate in fear is sin, and "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Heb.11:6).
With that in mind let me say that I am generally not one to make New Year's resolutions. However, I want to ask you to join with me; together let us RESOLVE to make 2016 the year of FAITH. Let us resolve now that whatever may come our way, wherever God may lead us, whatever decisions must be made in our lives and whatever joys or difficulties we may face that we will TRUST GOD. Let us resolve that we will not be men and women of FEAR, but men and women of FAITH! God is sovereign! God is supreme! He is worthy of our trust and the only proper recipient of our faith. I look forward to 2016 with a hope and belief that God desires to use my life, my family and my church to be used in such a way as to bring Him maximum glory; and I, here confess my resolve: I resolve to trust God! I resolve to place my faith in Him in a complete and reckless abandonment! I resolve to be a man will believe God! I resolve that, as much as it is within my power, that 2016 will be the greatest year of my walk with God! Let's take the days ahead by storm... for the glory of God!
Who's with me?
