“Happy New Year!” What a blessing it is to acknowledge the end of one year, and embrace the possibilities of another. For many, 2009 proved to be a challenging year. The state of the economy is still on everyone’s mind. The recession in this country has triggered massive layoffs, home foreclosures and widespread failures of financial institutions and businesses. News of political turmoil, terrorists attacks and natural disasters occurring all across the globe further added to the bleakness. Believing that the recession has not bottomed out yet, the world at large does not anticipate a great year in 2010. But the people of God have a different view regarding the future.


Having a sense of security in our God, we believe He, the maker of heaven and earth, is in complete control. Nothing takes Him by surprise. We may face yet another challenging year ahead. But when faced with difficulties or problems, the people of God are encouraged to seek Him for help. In Psalms 42:1-2, the Psalmist boldly declared “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Our focus should be on the Lord, not our circumstances. He will surely help and deliver us when we call upon His name.


During this month, we are calling a time of fasting and prayer from the 11th to the 31st. We are seeking the Lord not only for our personal needs to be met, though we will be doing that. More importantly let’s unite our hearts to pray for a great harvest of souls in our church and our city throughout the year. This is a beginning of a new decade. Let’s this be a decade of unprecedented work of the Holy Spirit in bringing repentance of lost souls and sanctification in the lives of believers. The second coming of Christ is drawing closer and God is accelerating His work. John 9:4 says , “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent us. Night is coming, when no one can work.” Let’s get a sense of urgency and be active in the harvest field while we it is still day. The world has gathered in our backyard in Seattle. We trust that the prophecy found in Isaiah 2:2-3 (nations gathering in the House of the God of Jacob) that was given to us years ago will be fulfilled in 2010.


Having a heart that seeks wholly after God is the one sure way for living and fulfilling the Christian life to its full potential. But it is also a difficult endeavor, not because it is complicated but because human nature gets in the way. By nature, we seek our own good and we seek our ways first. Even when we seek to do good our motivations are usually self-centered. We do good because it makes us feel good; we seek God because we see the benefit His goodness has in our lives. While it is true that we cannot separate the benefits God gives from the relationship we have with Him, the benefits should not be our sole motivation. We are human and it is not possible to be completely selfless; however, it is possible to seek God for the purpose of knowing Him and not merely seeking the rewards in His hand. God told Abraham, “I am your exceedingly great reward”. Knowing Him is our greatest reward and nothing in this life can truly be enjoyed as it was intended outside of Christ. That’s why we are setting aside time, effort and attention to focus on Him in the beginning of the year to build a closer relationship with Him. That way we start the year on the right footing. We will have a better chance of ending the year right. Let’s seek the Lord together and expect a great and fruitful year in 2010.

Blessings,

Ps. Chris