Happy and Blessed New Year!!!

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Devotional of the Week:
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

As the New Year approaches we can take confidence in the fact that God already knows what is going to happen. He knows what the year holds for us and we can have the comfort of knowing that his intent for us is only what is best for us. This quote from Jeremiah makes clear God's point for our lives. "Thoughts of peace and not evil..." and "a future and a hope." How awesome it is that the God of the universe intends for us peace and hope! Yes there will be challenges, but when we rest in Him we can do all things and overcome all challenges! May 2009 hold wonderful things for all of us to His honor and glory!

Prayer: Father God we trust in the words of Jeremiah, we thank you that you love us in such a way that you would thing thoughts of peace and hope toward us. Help us to be confident and courageous as we approach the new year that we may busy ourselves for the kingdom of heaven! We love you and we trust you, in Jesus holy name, Amen!

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Mini-Study of the Week:

As we approach the new year we can do so with confidence and anticipation. We know that God is with us and in looking at the Scriptures we can see verses that will be encouragements to us in the coming year. Today, let us allow God’s word to be our beacon, pointing us toward 2009.

We can live this coming year without fear if we apply these four truths to our lives and root them deep into our hearts.

1. We can live with the contentment of His provision:

1 Timothy 6:6-8 : Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Philippians 4:11: Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Contentment is not getting what you want, but wanting what you get.

2. We can live with the companionship of His presence

Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

This coming year we need to strive to draw nearer to God in all aspects of our lives. Through prayer, devotional time and study we can experience the companionship God wants to have with us. He will be our guide in all things.

3. We can live with the confidence of His promise

A promise is no better than the one who makes it. Who says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee"? It is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God. This is the confidence of His promise.
In the coming year, when we say, "God, I just don't have the strength." The omnipotent God will answer, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." When we say, "God, I'm afraid of what is going to happen." The omnipresent God says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." And when we say, "God, I don't know what to do." The omniscient God will respond, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." He himself has said it.

4. We can live with the comfort of His protection

Hebrews 13:6 promises, "So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Like I said earlier, I don't know what you're going to go through this coming year. But I know you can boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not fear what man shall do to me."

When you find your contentment, companionship, confidence and comfort in Jesus, you will have COURAGE to face the year!

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Video of the Week:

Let's start the new year focused on praising and worshiping our Holy Father! May we do all we can to honor and glorify His name!

Paul Baloche - "Rise Up and Praise Him"



Love each other, share His love and share His gospel...
See you next week!

In His Service,
Sergio