“Do not remember the past events; pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19, CSB
We are called to be priests under our High Priest, which is different from the Mosaic Covenant. By Christ’s redemptive work, all whose faith is in that work is made a priest to share the gospel of Christ and help each other grow closer to Him.
Quite a bit of this, I admit, I just copied and pasted! I changed and added what was needed.
Did you know more stuff happened this year? (* extreme sarcasm)
On some positive notes, my Youth Group managed to have a lot of fun this year, and the Instructional Assistant (one step below professor, but I still teach … but mostly grade work and keep students on task) for Christian Worldview at Grand Canyon University job continues proving fruitful in many ways. A big one is that I personally have gotten to lead several people to faith in Christ and help others grow deeper in their faith, as well as helping some who had been antagonistic to religion in general and Christianity in particular be more open-minded. That is pretty cool. This next semester I also get to help with teaching Philosophy. This should be helpful with apologetics.
I had a full year in seminary, including taking biblical Hebrew. Unlike many seminarians who get super-academic and feel the need to give their hearers “all the information” and then find themselves getting pulled out of the devotional side of Bible reading and discipleship, I actually found my love for ministry deepening and my teachings getting more pastoral and *gasp* fun!
Oh, and apparently there was a presidential election. (*more sarcasm about a very true thing)
Overall, we had a good year.
And God is still good and in control.
This next year will definitely be … 2025.
In any event, may you receive an abundance of bunches of blessings this year. And though life may take some effort to trudge through, fall on the promises of God, this year and always.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5, ESV
We are all called to priests under our High Priest, and we do this by living in, by, and through the indwelling Word. Know the Scriptures to know Jesus better, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you ever more into His likeness.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1, ESV
We are all called to be priests under our High Priest, Jesus, who is at the right hand of the Father. Let us seek Him and to make Him known by knowing and sharing His Word.
I wish we had more time to meet with our deacons, but everyone is so busy. We pastors do try, though. I see one at least every month. These folks are so wonderful and appreciated. Let us encourage the church by honoring her servants.
Daniel
This Sunday at Church: Schedule to have lunch to encourage one of the deacons in your church.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15, ESV
All people are called to be priests of God for the families, neighbors, friends, and communities. We need to know what His Word says and how to apply it for His glory and to reach others.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11, ESV
God showed His love through Jesus, our God made flesh, worshipped by commoners and kings alike. Let us love the One who loved us enough to come as a baby to grow up to take on our punishment.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5, ESV
God has shown His love through Jesus, coming at just the right time as a human so that He could redeem us through His life, death, and resurrection. He has adopted us through Christ and sealed us with His Spirit.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!
a simple man of God 