Look Backing, Looking Ahead

As 2010 draws to a close it's another time to reflect and see God's goodness to me. His provision for a church body, friends that encourage me in my walk with Jesus, and a family that is pursuing Him too. I'm grateful for the job he has provided for me to do during the last 14 years.

I see the Lord at work in me and others through the biblical counseling ministry at church. None of us, as believers, are to stagnate in our growth. Paul writes to the church in Colosse, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 1:6-7)

I'm expectant of God's work in and through me the new year to come. Grateful for the promise "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6b).

As the sun sets today, my heart is full knowing that God's on the throne and His goodness is real.

Expectant to know Him more and make Him known in 2011.

Light.

"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (1 Corinthians 4:8).

Lights are everywhere during the Christmas season. They decorate people's houses, candlelight luminaries light sidewalks, Christmas trees are garnished with lights, and Chicago skyscrapers are lit with lights for the season. I am grateful for Jesus Christ - the Light of the world - who took on flesh as a little baby in order to live and die for my sins. Isaiah prophesied of his birth, "The people walking in the darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2).

In the New Testament, John writes of Jesus as the light of men. "Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it" (John 1:3-5).

Grateful for the Light, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save men from their sins.