A new year!

How exciting!  God has not only given us a new year, but a new decade and a new chance to be His arms and legs and body for Christ.  I am hopeful this new year will bring many more people to Christ and the saving grace of salvation.  With God before us, who can be against us.  We are blessed to be down in Nicaragua and serving the Lord.  He continues to provide for every need we have.   Praise the Lord.  As I was reading on facebook this morning, many people were sharing what they hope to accomplish in this new year.
As I reflect on this past year and what I would like to see happen in this new year, I come to the conclusion that without God's help I will not be able to accomplish anything.  Therefore, as I decide what goals I would like to make, the first and foremost goal will be to spend more time in the Word of God.  To earnestly seek Him and know that He is God.  Among other goals, I would like to see the children's home we came down here to start actually start.  God will have to do so many miracles for that to be accomplished and I will continue to pray for miracles.  I know that God is in the business of miracles and if I have enough faith God will see to it that all things work together for His glory.  Another goal I will strive for is to be more patient.  Many times if I could have been patient for a longer time life would have worked out so much better.  I know in my head that if I could wait on the Lord and His timing it would go more smoothly, but my heart sometimes pushes me to places I wish I wouldn't go.  It is similar to what Paul said in Romans 7:15, "I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what  I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."  What an amazing truth about life.  We constantly struggle to do good and many people here in Nicaragua believe that if they are good they will go to heaven but it clearly states here in the Bible that we can not ever choose to do good because of our sinful nature.  How humbling to know that no matter how hard I try I will never make it into the Kingdom of Heaven without the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  I pray that as the new year gets underway that God will bless your life as you focus on Him and give your life over to His power and glory. To God be the Glory!! Happy New Year!