Beloved,
2022 is coming swiftly to a close. Can you believe it? This Sunday marks the last Sunday of the year.
And what a year it has been for our congregation! As I’ve been preparing the schedule for shepherding visits for 2023 and developing a leadership training plan for 2023, it has struck me how much God has done in the past year. A year ago we had a schedule with 21 shepherding visits; now we have a schedule with 33! A year ago leadership training was unthinkable; now it is entirely realistic! More important than all of that, I really sense that we have grown in spiritual vitality and maturity over this past year. God has been in our midst, beautifying us by His gospel grace.
All of this leads me to ask, “What might He do in 2023 if we continue to set our faces to seek Him?”
I have no idea what God has in store for the coming year. I don’t even know if we will make it to 2023. We aren’t promised tomorrow. But if Christ spares us and delays His return, I’m confident that He has good things in store for us!
That doesn’t mean 2023 will be easy. It likely won’t be. In fact, if we continue to seek to grow as a church, we can expect all hell to break loose against us. But if God is for us, who can be against us? If we continue to grow downward in humility, upward in the fear of God, and outward in love, what can the devil do to bring us down?
As we approach a new year, be praying that Christ would continue to direct and protect our congregation. And pray above all that He would continue to powerfully work in our midst, saving and sanctifying by His word and Spirit.
To the many of you who will be away this weekend, Merry Christmas!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nick
