Sure-fire predictions for 2011
by Peggy Pedersen
Every year at this time people make predictions and resolutions. The predictions are always false prophecies and speculations, some based on trends or data, some not, but within all of them is fear of what the future holds.
As Christians, we do not need to fear, whatever the coming days will bring for we know the One who holds the future and us in His hands.
In that light, here are my predictions for 2011:
1. Jesus Christ will keep me abiding in Him by His grace, mercy and faithfulness. Jude 24, 25
2. God will bless me with His love and provide all my needs.Phil. 4:19
3. God will use me for His glory and the benefit of His church and His purposes. Rom. 8:28, Phil 2:13
4. I will have difficulties, but in all them Jesus will uphold me, comfort me and guide me. Psalm 23; Phil. 4:13
5. God will work within me, doing more than I can ask or imagine by the agency of His Word and His Holy Spirit. Eph. 3:20
6. God will bestow His grace upon me through His Word, Absolution, and giving me His own body and blood. Isa. 55:11; Mat. 18:18, Ps. 32:5, 1 John 1:7
7. The world, the flesh and the devil will try to separate me from Christ and lead me astray, but Jesus will protect and deliver me and will never leave me or forsake me. Rom. 8:38,39; Heb. 13:5
8. There will be disturbing events in the world, but in all, Christ will keep me in perfect peace as I trust in Him. Isa. 26:3
9. There will be many times I will fail, but in all, the Holy Spirit will grant me repentance, Jesus will forgive and restore me and keep me from falling away from Him. 1 John 2:1
10. Jesus will bear fruit in me of which I am unaware and form His image within me that I cannot see. John 15:5; John 15:16
11. There will be surprises of grace that I could not have imagined. 1 Cor. 2:9
12.I will continually be led in a path of dying to self and living unto Him. Luke 9:23-24; Rom. 6:4, 11; Rom. 12:1-2
My “resolution” for 2011: To look unto Christ alone for everything.
As we enter a new Year of our Lord, may the grace of God and the love of His Son keep and preserve you and give you peace.
Peggy Pedersen is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Victoria, B.C.