INSPIRATION FOR YOU

New Year's Greetings 2009

We have come to the time of beginning again. The New Year stands before us as a great white canvas. We will be professional painters so long as the Master Artist is with us to guide our hands. Our God has helped others before us make life beautiful. He can do as much or more for us in 2009.

 

Press On

Heather-Dawn Small
My dear sisters, it is with a heart overflowing with thanks and praise to God that I wish for each of you a joyful and blessed 2009. The joys and sorrows of 2008 are behind us and like Paul we can say, "Forgetting those things that are behind...we press forward..." (Philippians 3:13). The New Year lies ahead, untried and unknown, but we serve a God who knows the beginning from the end and we can safely and joyfully step into this New Year knowing that He goes before us and with us. So, my sisters, press on, always looking to Jesus who has given each of us a "high calling" in Him.


Rejoice

Raquel Arrais
As Seventh-day Adventist women, we have every reason to rejoice. God is in heaven, Christ is interceding, and we are God's daughters. In this brand new year, we can put our trust in Him, the omnipotent One who never leaves us.

As you begin the New Year, no matter how busy you are, set a time to thank God for His loving care, His power, and for all the things He has done for you.

May the words of Paul guide our hearts as we face 2009 with hope and confidence that God is with us: "and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also, you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

Happy New Year to all of you and many blessings along the way as we work, pray, and praise together during 2009.


Listen Patiently

Melanie Strahle
God loves us dearly and He wants to know us intimately. My challenge to you this year is to communicate more with God. Not only should we be talking to Him, but we need to take time to listen too. God is our true friend and we must treat our relationship with Him like we do with any other friend. In prayer, ask God to reveal His will for you and then listen patiently for His response. God speaks to us in creative ways. Sometimes we are so busy in life, and we demand an answer from God right away, but it is important to take time to pray and then be silent and listen. He is there waiting to guide us and impress our hearts. Proverbs 1:33: "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." This year, take more time to listen to God and you may be surprised by what you hear.


Be Thankful

Judith Mwansa
The famous song says, "Count your blessings; name them one by one." If each one of us took time to reflect over the way God has led us since the beginning of this year, all of us would have a long list of things for which we are grateful. For example, God has given us life; I personally can think of many blessings including the following in addition to being alive: Our son completed college, the entire family is in good health, I have had one more year of working with the great team of Women Ministries, etc. The Bible tells us this: "In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18). As we come to the end of this year and as we enter a New Year, take time to give thanks to the Lord. With the Psalmist, continue to sing the song, "Give thanks to the Lord, His love endures forever" (Ps. 107:1). Best wishes for the New Year!