God of the New Year

ByRandy Nicholas January 1, 2017

#cefjacksontn – Yes indeed, the Lord has allowed us to wake-up in a brand new year. Will the year be filled with challenges or victories or a mixture of both? Shall we focus on the past or the future? Do we serve a God Who is able to assure the victory or will we attempt to struggle along in our own strength? These are difficult (but honest) questions to wrestle with, yet we do serve the One True God of the universe! He is and always will be… God.

I pray that as 2017 materializes, we will have the faith to step out of our own human frailties and step up to a bright and glorious future filled with God sent victories! I am reminded of a verse of scripture that says:

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Paul the Apostle

If anyone in New Testament history had a right to boast of his accomplishments (outside of Jesus, of course), it would be Paul. However, he knew that he was a frail creature and needed the grace filled power of Jesus to do the Lord’s will. In his weakness, Paul was indeed made strong and became the greatest missionary of his time… and maybe of all time. So, what does any of this have to do with CEF or the New Year?

I’m glad you asked. CEF of Greater Jackson is facing a new day, a New Year. We are rethinking “how” we evangelize the children that are in our area of service. How can we preserve the things that have proven successful in the past while embracing new ideas to expand our ministry throughout Jackson and West Tennessee? How do we attract new church partnerships? How do we encourage a host of volunteers to join us in the mission set before us? Well, first and foremost, as the leader of this ministry, I must remind myself that I need the grace filled power of Jesus Christ to move forward and accomplish the will of He Who sent me. Just as Paul confessed his weakness, so do I and I also confess that God is able to do anything, anytime, any day.

So, to end this little article, I ask for your prayers and your help. Would you join us in a new year of service to the King of kings? Help us lead the children of Greater Jackson into a wonderful relationship with Jesus this year. Let us make a difference in their lives and their homes for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Amen.