Emmanuel (God With Us)

 As I sit here on the last day of 2023, I think back on what kind of year it has been. It has definitely been a roller coaster of a year. A lot of ups and a lot of downs, but through it all I've had Emmanuel with me. 

At the start of the year I was fortunate enough to start my fourth year of volunteering with The Northern Illinois Food Bank. God has really been with me this year regarding this. I have struggled many times with wanting to quit and not do it anymore. But God! He kept nudging me. Kept encouraging me to keep going. His people were in need and He wanted me to be His hands and feet, no matter the circumstances.

Psalm 73:26 Living Bible

26 My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever!

People have died in my circle this year. Some of them were very tough to handle and hit close to home. Again, Emmanuel.

I've had two great nieces born this year. Both are precious! What little blessings they are to our family.

Job 1:21 English Standard Version

21 The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

This year my wife and I celebrated fifteen years of marriage. What a blessing she is to me and my family! Again, Emmanuel! God at the center of our marriage!

Proverbs 18:22 New Living Translation

22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

I was blessed to be able to attend a lot of concerts this year. Some as an attender and some as a volunteer. Able to see some of the biggest acts in Christian music, live. Stryper (2X), Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Lauren Daigle, Mercy Me, Crowder, Disciple and many others. A lot of ministry happened at these shows. Talking with people. Praying with people. Worshipping God with thousands of people. Blessed and grateful to be able to do this. Emmanuel!

2 Timothy 2:15 New International Version

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

I was honored to be asked to officiate two weddings and a funeral. Emmanuel. God was definitely with me. Especially the funeral. I can research and come up with a service, but it was God who gave me the words to say!

So needless to say, a lot has happened. Both good and bad. But Emmanuel, God with me the whole time. Through everything. Birth, death, wedding, funeral, concerts, volunteering. Everything!

So I encourage you tonight, that no matter what you went through in 2023, God was with you. You may not have felt Him or heard Him, but He was there. He will be with you as you enter 2024 as well. He is good all the time & all the time He is good!

Happy New Year!

God Bless.

Rev. Kev.