“The Love of the Lord” – Hosea 3:1
Happy New Year!
For most of us, the end of a year is a time of reflection and goal setting. Over the Christmas Holiday while in the Bay Area I could get some quiet time with God and to praise Him for all the blessings associated with 2016. I count you among our blessings.
For each of us who know God we can look back through our experiences and challenges to see how our Lord has led us during those wilderness times– those tough and lonely days when life seemed so difficult. I’ve learned to be thankful for every learning experience and challenge that draws me closer to God and helps mature me into a better person.
It is good to remember and be thankful for how God continues to feed and clothe us every day. He has put up with our disobedience—He has suffered through all our murmurings and fleshly desires—He is always with us even when we are feeling hopeless. He has figuratively opened the rock to supply us with the living water and fed our souls with the fresh manna of His word that came down from heaven.
Time and time again He has met our needs. As in biblical days, God’s faithfulness is everlasting. Think of how His grace has been sufficient for us in all our troubles—how His blood has saved us from our sins—how His rod and His staff have comforted and guided us in times of sorrow or despair.
My dear friends, as we look back upon our lives and the love of the Lord, let our faith survey His love for the future. May God help us to know that Christ’s covenant and blood is not just for the past. He will continue to love and pardon us in the future. Whatever our needs and concerns He will stand with us in facing a new year.
Therefore, as we pass through those tough times in the future we need not fear evil, for Jesus is with us. When we stand upon our convictions that are not “politically correct” we can lean into God for His love, peace, and protection. It is then we can experience the power of His Spirit. When we face sickness or even death – we need not fear, for even death cannot separate thee from His love. And when we come into the mysteries of eternity we need not tremble, “For I am persuaded, that neither death; nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38
We are constantly providing new resources to help our friends grow in their faith so that they can inspire others. Please let us know if you need any resource materials not currently on our website.
God bless you and have a great year serving our Lord. Love ya!
Personal Application:
What New Year’s resolutions or thoughts has God placed before you to consider? How can Men’s Ministry Catalyst encourage and empower you to accomplish your goals and objects?
If you haven’t previously considered passing along our Weekly Devotionals to others maybe our January 3, 2017, devotional would be a place to start. CLICK HERE to sign up for devotionals.
I hope you had an opportunity to review our Year End Letter and to reflect upon how God is using our ministry to impact the world one life at a time. CLICK HERE to review our letter.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.