BEGINNING A NEW YEAR.... Starting anything new can cause us to be anxious. All of us have had such experiences in our lives. However, life is always changing, facing new challenges, meeting new people, and causing us to think about our choices and directions. A new year ahead of us is a wonderful time to ask ourselves about our relationship to the Lord and what we plan to do for His glory in the days ahead. We were made for Him and John reminds us that everything exists because of Him. Each of us have received a gift from the Lord that He has specifically given to us (I Cor. 12) and that gift is meant to bring glory to Him while maturing us in our faith. Let's commit ourselves to exercise our gift whatever it may be. Scripture gives us instructions on the gifts He gives each person though they are all different, according to His Sovereign purpose. And lest we think that we don't have a gift, it's important we believe the One who grants them. He HAS given you something to use for His glory and you CAN bear fruit for Him in the new year. Step out on faith, look for God-given opportunities that come your way, and act! What a year is coming. Rejoice!!!