As I look ahead to 2009, I am hopeful and excited about what this year may bring.

And after reading this verse today, I am praying that God would use my life as a church planter and a pastor to give fellow disciples of Jesus more courage and confidence to advance the Gospel in whatever sphere of life they may find themselves in.

Paul, by his imprisonment in Rome, was a model of how to have joy and be faithful to Jesus no matter what the circumstances. A year from now, I hope others can say that of me too.