A Season of Lights - Day 8 - Sealed with Thankfulness

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

We have so much for which to be thankful! The Lord has done great things for us as we journey to see His kingdom established in greater measure in the church of Canada. This year has been a turning point for so many, a time of release from the cycles of death in which the enemy had trapped us. The Lord has turned our Valley of Achor (suffering) into a door of hope.

As we have consecrated ourselves, both this summer and now during this Season of Lights, the Lord has renewed our vision and strengthened us. We enter the coming new year with our hearts filled with faith that we are about to see the sovereign hand of the Lord move in this nation in a way we have never seen before. We believe that bound by cords of love, in the rest that comes from the full assurance of faith, we will enter into the Promised Land to possess our inheritance and the inheritances of the faithful generations who, only together with us, will be made complete.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Tonight as we finish this time of consecration and dedication, we close the door on the past season as we turn the eyes of hearts forward to 2008 and the new beginnings that awaits us. Let us take time now to reflect on the season that is ending and remember all of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness to us. Then let us seal the past season forever, the good times and the hard times, with overflowing thankfulness so that we may move on to what lies ahead.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29

As we light our last candle tonight, let us make this declaration together. Lord we thank you for all your goodness towards us. We choose to wrap up the memories of the past season, all the circumstances both good and bad, and seal them with hearts of overflowing thankfulness for Your kindness to us. Without Your love and Your grace we could not have made it this far and we know that it is only by Your love and Your grace that we will be able to enter in to possess our inheritance in the next season.

Lord we thank you for the wind of Your presence that is blowing across our nation. We, as a representation of Your body in Canada, commit in 2008 to wait for You to lead us and to follow with all obedience the steps you give us to take so that we might come to the fullness of Your purposes in the next season. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

Grace and Peace to you

The Watchmen Team