Happy new year to everyone...

Somehow countdowns don't excite me anymore; I think it's because it's quite pointless to measure our lives just by time alone and the mere passing of years. Just because 2004 began at midnight doesn't mean that all things are renewed or have changed. What I will remember best are the seasons of change that God has worked in my life, through the many years that have flown by, much more powerfully in the past year, and which He is working even now and I am sure will continue to work in the years to come.

Nonetheless, 2003 has been a good year for me. I have learned that truly God knows best, even though we always think otherwise. I have learned that He is a faithful God and always works for our good, even though we may not, and often do not, see it. I have learned that we can trust Him in whatever circumstances, even in the darkest of despair, because He will never let us go. I have learned that He can work miracles and do wondrous things in our lives, things that we always dreamed of happening but could never do, if we will surrender all to Him and let Him work. I have learned that if we surrender ourselves to Him fully and allow Him to use us, He can do mighty things through us.

2003, like every other year, has been filled with ups and downs. But we can look back again and rejoice that God has brought us through yet another year. As we move into 2004, and as we face whatever comes our way, may we also take time to remember the Lord's goodness, to remember how He has blessed us countless times in the past years, to remember how He has always been working for our good, and let us trust Him. And at the same time let us take up our cross, rededicate and reconsecrate ourselves to His service, and give our lives to Him for His kingdom and glory.

"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Mark 8:35

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalms 37: 4-5

I sometimes wonder why life gets so difficult at times. We face struggles both external, and internal. And perhaps the internal ones, the ones that reach down deep into our very being, are the worst. Life east of Eden, in this fallen world shot through with sin, is not easy.

But I thank our Lord Jesus for His blessed assurances in John 16 and 17... I highly recommend that you read it for yourself, to hear our Lord Jesus Himself praying for us is a mighty awesome thing.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours,
And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You, Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given me, that they may be one as We are...
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one...
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17: 9-11, 14-15, 20-21

Whatever we may face, let's stand firm in Him- our sovereign, all-powerful, loving, gracious God. Don't lose heart; our Lord Jesus Himself has prayed for You, and He is always with you.