I have a new devotional book for the 2011 year and the first devotional was for the New Year. I read Revelation 21:1 – 6.
A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”<sup class="footnote" value="[a]”> for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’<sup class="footnote" value="[b]”> or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Then a question was asked:
As you enter the new year, what about your life, setting, or circumstance fills you with hope?
I need to think about that question. I think it will be a great and interesting year with getting married and all that comes along with planning, the wedding day, and then living with your spouse. I know there will be struggles but I hope there will be more good times than struggles!
At work I have more hours and a new title and with that comes new responsibilities and I hope that I can live up to them.
I started a new work out plan and I hope that I can finally enter a healthy lifestyle that works for me and stick with it.
But with all of these things that I am looking forward to in 2011, I must keep Christ at the center of them all or else I will probably fail at them or struggle or get burned out. I know with him all things are possible and he gives grace and joy in all circumstances.
So here is to a new year where I will look to Christ for strength, guidance, and wisdom as I journey through life’s ups and downs.
Jackman's Journey 