Dear Family of Grace,

We’ve begun a new year at Grace and done so with the blessing of the Lord upon our church. God has done so many great things for us and for our world in 2011 and continues to be good to us at the beginning of this New Year. I want to begin by encouraging you all to look to 2012 with optimism and realism. First, optimism: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is at the right hand of the Father and is orchestrating the will of the Father through his Holy Spirit here on earth. Indeed, we know for sure that “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This means that no matter what happens here on earth, God is working through everything for your good if you’re a believer! I don’t think we grasp this truth or at least live like this truth is operating in the world. I exhort you to live like a Christian whose Christ has conquered all and now reigns victoriously.

Second, realism: We know that this world is exceedingly evil and is against Christ and his followers. John 15:19 is one of many verses that relates this truth: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” Though we pray for God to work in and through leaders and influential people, we know that the world has always and will always be opposed to God, the Gospel, and the Church. We can’t be comfortable in this world because we are strangers in it – our home is not here but in heaven. In the upcoming months, the staff and leaders of Grace hope to present a vision of how to live with true optimism and realism. God has some exciting things planned for Grace beyond what any of us can imagine if we are faithful. Let’s continue to build as God directs and see what he will do with our little bit of faith. When and if we make it to 2013, let’s be able to say that we were faithful in 2012!

In Christ,

Kevin