2011 has been an incredible year in so many ways. If we imagine each year being represented by a 365-page book then we’ve come to the very last page. As we live out the last day of a year that was fashioned by the Author and Finisher of our faith, one cannot help but reflect on past events, take stock of where we are now and cast our thoughts on our future. The overwhelming feeling for me as I close the last page of the 2011 booklet of my life is one of thankfulness. I am extremely grateful to God on so many levels and I hope you are too. 
I am thankful for the past 12 months. Thankful not just because of the good times but also for the not-so-good ones because I learn a lot more from the latter than the former. God is the God of our yesterdays. I say so because He is the only One I know who can take the pains and mistakes of our past to create a beautiful future. As I reflect on the past 12 months, I am joyful for the breakthroughs and victories. I’m sure you have cause to thank God for one thing or the other. Thank God I am not defined by my past! We cannot go back there or get stuck there. The pillar of cloud and fire is moving ahead and we ought to stay with Him always.
I am thankful for today. The reflections on our past mistakes gives us the much-needed wisdom and caution to move into 2012 in step with the Spirit of God. It is true that you may have lost out on many opportunities, suffered some type of hurt or the other and missed out on many things God had planned for you in 2011 because of your disobedience but the truth is that with God, your today can always be better. All you need to do is open up your heart to Him again and your today will get right back on track with God’s plans. Today I delight in the knowledge that He is with me just as He promised.
I am thankful for my future. At this point I am humbled by the fact that His eternal life is the assurance I have that I can actually face tomorrow. 2012 is full of uncertainties and potential pitfalls but our God has promised to go before us and make every crooked path straight. I’m confident of my 2012 not because I have fortified myself enough or thought of every possible scenario that could pull me back. Rather, I am confident because His watchful eye never misses a thing. He dwells outside of time and therefore is already in my future, pointing out hidden dangers, uncovering treachrous plots, guiding me into the right decisions, closing certain doors and opening others.
My soul is at peace because God is in the past clearing out my mistakes and in the process cleaning out my conscience. I am at rest today because I know He is with me and will never forsake me. I am confident because He has gone ahead of me and sorted out my future. 2012 will be an interesting year indeed. Several circles both Christian and non-Christian have predicted so much about supernatural activities to come particularly in December. Whatever the case may be, my advice is to stay in Christ and you will be fully prepared to face whatever comes your way.
God bless you all. Thank you for reading my blog in 2011. Hope to see you all in 2012. May His peace and joy seal your year in Jesus name.
Great post, Watchman! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences and most of all, your heart full of the love of Jesus! Many are blessed, including me. I pray that 2012 is a year of great success and achievement for you. I pray that all the Lord’s plans for you come to fruition in every way and that all you do works toward His good, to accomplish His purpose and bring Him glory. I ask Him to make His face shine upon you and that He will grant all your requests. I ask that He make the desire of your heart to love Him and do His will. In Jesus’ name – Amen.
Thanks so much for your heartfelt prayer wp! You’ve been a source of encouragement to my ministry and I pray that your labour of love will reap a harvest that is beyond your imagination. May you go deeper in God in 2012. May your love for Christ spill over and touch countless more lives in the new year. Thanks again wp. Have a blessed year ahead.
Thank you, Watchman. I love praying for you, and I appreciate your prayers so much!! I really feel the kinship of the Spirit with you. You’re truly are my brother in the Lord! You have encouraged me and spurred me on this year in blogging. I really feel so thankful for your friendship and for you blog. I’m always excited on the days I receive one of your posts in my inbox
I pray 2012 is the Lord’s year in every way for both of us and for Christians all over the world! I pray for many more to be brought into His family!! Bless you, friend.
Thank you wp! You are a true sister in Christ. Have a blessed year ahead. God bless
Many, many blessings to you my friend. Thank you for standing strong in the word of God and providing encouragement and support through your site. Have a wonderful and Happy New Year!! God bless you!!!! Robin
Many blessings to you too robin. Thanks so much for being an inspiration to me and many others. Have a blessed year ahead. God bless you too!! Watchman
Dear Watchman as I was reading your message for the Last page of the year, a Scripture I just posted kept passing before me. The Three Trees is an old story but paints a picture that I identified with, as I looked back some of the hopes I had when I was young, which I shared on the previous post, they were indeed so grand but they never happened as I had dreamed and hoped they would, but God was always there with me even though I was not aware of this and as you shared even my mistakes He is now using for good as the events in my life unfold but as I read again the Scripture below which does indeed echo your focus and Hope for the New year I was very uplifted, as you confirmed we do not walk alone. Christian Love Anne
Isaiah 43:1-3 Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Thanks again for sharing so much of your life with us Anne. I really appreciate your comments. I haven’t really gotten to know you yet but I just get a strong feeling that you have a Caleb spirit in you. I feel you will achieve much more for the kingdom of God in your latter years. Not to say you are not achieving much now but just to point out that the glory of the latter days will surpass the former in your life. As you continue to sow into the lives of others, expecting nothing in return, the Lord will cause you to reap a harvest that will surprise you. I don’t normally do this but I just felt led to do so. God bless you Anne.
Hi Watchman thank you for sharing your heart response to my comment and it is true what you say, I’m now 60 years old and feel my real life Ministry is just beginning even though I have been part of many Ministries since a started my walk with The Lord 30 years ago, having been an Atheist for much of my life, except for a childlike understanding that Jesus was my friend which was stolen from me. I believe as I look back these Ministries were preparation for what was ahead, in Truth my whole life has been good and bad, not that God wanted me to suffer and have heartache, but He has and will use everything for good.
In one sense when we are Born again of God’s seed 1 John3:9 we are all like Caleb but our renewal is Spiritual not physical and it sure beats scratching around in the Chicken pen with left over’s. Isaiah 40:30-31
I would love to hear your Testimony Watchman have you posted it?
Christian Love Anne
Hi Anne. I sure haven’t written out my testimony in the way that you imply. I’ve touched on it from various angles in previous posts but you’ve really got me thinking and I’ll seriously consider sharing my testimony in full. Thank God for the body of Christ. Iron surely sharpens iron. Thanks again Anne. May be all be renewed in the strength of the inner man as we press towards the goal of our high calling.
Hi Watchman I have written out some of my life story I’ll share the link below with you and have also shared in other places about when I came to True heart repentance and how I got untangled from all the wrong teaching in differant Churches and how the Lord lead me to the truth about Freedom In Christ Jesus, no I still haven’t put it all together…but I will when I feel lead to and you must too, I’m sorry I wasn’t trying to pressure you, I just thought you may have already done so.
http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/the-early-years-a-little-lost-girl/
Christian Love Anne
I’ll check out the link Anne. Thanks do much for sharing. No please don’t apologise. I’m glad I was reminded of my testimony. The testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophecy after all. Thanks Anne