Happy New Year???

Happy New Year???
We are so used to giving this greeting at the dawn of a New Year. However, I had to pause to reflect on this greeting as I skimmed the newspaper while brewing my morning coffee. A lead story in the Business section quoted a marketing professor: “I think 2009 is going to be a blood bath. I think it’s going to be very, very ugly.”

Not much of a cheery thought to begin the first day of this New Year. The article with that quote went on to list all the businesses that failed in 2008, which included: The Bombay Co.; Lehman Brothers; Bear Stearns; Aloha Airlines; Skybus: Linens’ N’ Things; Sharper Image; KB Toys; and many others. (The last figure I saw recorded more than twenty restaurants in Manatee County Florida went out of business during 2008)

Whoa, maybe we should skip all the New Year’s Day Football Bowl games, go back to bed and pull the covers over our heads.

Or, we can remember as we enter this New Year there is both Good News and bad news.

The bad news is that this economic recession may make 2009 the most challenging year in our lives.

The GOOD NEWS is there is no spiritual recession for those who put their faith in God the Father Almighty. Our God is faithful; His mercies never come to an end. In God’s economy there is never a lack.

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” (John 6: 10-14 NLT)

For EVERY follower of Jesus, God has called us for just such a time as this. I believe the Apostle Paul has a word that can guide all of our lives throughout this year:

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."
(2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 NLT) ( Emphasis Mine)

May we all experience God’s grace and power in our lives, each and every moment of 2009.