This time of year we all start looking back and remembering what came to pass this last year. And at the same time we start thinking about what we hope to accomplish in the upcoming year. Some make resolutions and some just hope for the best. No matter what we do, it is comforting to know that we who are in Christ have nothing to fear because our God is the beginning and the end and is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.
Right now I am reading The Story of Christianity Volume 1. It has been years since I read this and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Gonzalez does a great job of bringing together the people and places that have defined the direction of the church.
I usually read Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster this time of year. This may be the first time in over a decade that I haven't read it the week after Christmas.
This year I am looking back in order to pray forward. What I see happening then is what I see happening now. The Savior that was saving and guiding His church then is the Lord I see leading us now.
The problem is the same: sin. The answer is the same: Jesus. The only hope is the same: the Gospel. The means is the same: by grace through faith in Christ alone.
My prayer for this year is borrowed from Scotty Smith's blog post today:
"Father, this year is about over and a new year is just about here. More than ever, I want the rest of my life to be lived in line with the truth of the gospel... Show me what that means. Show me what changes that will require. Show me what priorities that presupposes. Show me what you want me to give more of my heart to… and less of my heart to."
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