Saying Goodbye to 2007

I’m not one to wish away my life, but quite frankly I’m looking forward to 2007 coming to an end. While trying to stay focused on the Lord’s goodness and all of His blessings, my mind still wanders from time to time to the challenges I’ve faced this year – business challenges, financial challenges, family deaths, disappointments and broken promises. And so, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to 2008, resolving to change those things which I can and trusting God to walk with me (or carry me) through those that I have absolutely no control over. I am so thankful that no matter what is going on in my life, I’m never truly alone.

Knowing that my Heavenly Father is always with me gives me hope for a brighter tomorrow. He is my Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is present. Psalm 46:1 says that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” What a blessing to think that the Creator of the universe is always with us, no matter what we’re going through. King David truly understood this concept. He says in Psalm 139:7-8,

Where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If you find yourself in a similar place, just remember that no matter how low you may sink or how bad things may look, God can still bless you. You are not alone – you serve a God who is always there.

The New You

Makeover shows are some of the most watched programs on television. Who hasn’t cried over an episode of Extreme Home Makeover or cringed over the pre-makeover outfits of a What Not to Wear nominee. The truth is, we’re fascinated with these shows and their concept of changing people’s lives for the better.

Believe it or not, you’re starring in your very own makeover show. Second Corinthians 5:17 says that if you are in Christ, you are a new creation. As a Christian, you’ve undergone an extreme makeover.

You are no longer who you used to be.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. (Ephesians 2:1-3 NIV)

Now you can say,

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. . .(Ephesians 2:4-6 NIV)

Knowing who you are in Christ is the first step in discovering your divine assignment.