We’ve been on an amazing and profound journey this year. As the year draws to a close and you prepare for a new year, I pray that you will continue discovering who you are in Christ: a child of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
As I think back through these daily devotionals, I am struck by how much I learned about living in the presence of God. I hope you did too. I hope you have learned to trust Him as your Father and Savior and have discovered how our faith is based on a personal, intimate relationship with God.
My heart is filled with awe, humility, and gratitude for what Jesus did for us on the cross. His shed blood gives us the hope of resurrection and makes our redemption and healing possible.
Jesus changed the world’s perception of reality, love, and faith when He told us, “the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Then He invited us to live in that kingdom, where we are loved and filled with the Holy Spirit, strengthened to love one another and live the abundant life He desires for us.
With the promise of Lamentations 3:22, we can begin every day with hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Those words make me want to sing! Every morning we wake up to a new day, and new mercies that never end. Every day we are given a new chance to live, walk with God, and start fresh. Morning is a resurrection every day!
This day, today, and every day in the New Year, I pray that you awake with joy, knowing the Lord will take your hand and continue the journey you began together.
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”—Psalm 118:24
Happy New Year!
With love and blessings, Pastor Ray
