2013.

"Father, thank You for a new year and for the trials to come that will make me more like You..."

I'm looking forward to this year as an opportunity to grow in my relationship with the Lord. There will be many changes, trials, and decisions to be made this year, and no matter how "good" or "bad" they seem, I know that through these situations I am being conformed into Christ's image as I cling to the promise I have in Christ that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28. The "good" is becoming more like Christ...though these trials may be difficult, they are for my ultimate good. As Romans 8:18 says, "...the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."  What an amazing concept. I am so looking forward to Christ's return when we will be perfected. I think I am beginning to understand what James is talking about in 1:2 when he says "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds..." Like I said earlier, it's through these trials that we can become more like Christ, and in that experience joy as our faith is strengthened. Now I'm not saying that I am going to be perfect in my trials this year..far from it. But I do have Christ. I love Isaiah 43:1-3 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
I'm excited for this year, for what God is doing in my life.


A quote to leave you with tonight: (I can't remember who said this...) "Could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?"