Here's a word of encouragement for you at the start of a brand New Year.

~~~~~

"My, how fast the time goes by! Already we are at the very beginning of a brand new year. Perhaps the past year has brought to us fond memories and perhaps some memories we would rather forget. But such is life and we must move on!

The thing is, how do we plan to do that? Seeing as the future is uncertain, it is not recommended that we venture forward on our own? If we were to place our trust in the One who knows the end from the beginning we will be sure to reach our desired haven. Now wouldn't that just be a wonderful thing?

This is the One who in the fullness of time came into this world on a special mission He came to save sinners from their sin and span the gulf between us and the living God!

That's what the festive season was all about. It was to celebrate the coming of this precious One who absolutely delighted His Father's heart and finished the work His Father gave Him to do.

And it is incredible to think that coming of the Lord Jesus so long ago can impact our lives here at the beginning of 2016, but that all depends on what we do with what we know about this most precious One.

Did you know that when He lived here on earth He was demonstrating to us what God is like ...

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth."
John 1: 14.

And when He went to the cross and died in our place He was demonstrating what love is really like ...

"... God commendeth his love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us."
Romans 5: 8.

Knowing these wonderful facts and embracing these precious truths in total trust will bring priceless treasures to all who own this altogether lovely Man as their Lord and Saviour.

How about this for a treasure indeed - it is a promise from the beloved Lord Jesus to all His people:

"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Hebrews 13: 5.

He loves us too much to ever take his eyes off of us or ever to leave us alone for even a second!

So now as we enter into 2016 with all of the paths yet to travel there is one thing of which we can be certain: we will never be truly alone, He will always be with His people and is worthy of all our trust.

I know not what awaits me,
God kindly veils mine eyes,
And o’er each step of my onward way
He makes new scenes to rise;
And ev’ry joy He sends me, comes
A sweet and glad surprise.

One step I see before me,
’Tis all I need to see,
The light of Heav’n more brightly shines,
When earth’s illusions flee;
And sweetly through the silence, came
His loving “Follow me.”

O blissful lack of wisdom,
’Tis blessèd not to know;
He holds me with His own right hand,
And will not let me go,
And lulls my troubled soul to rest
In Him Who loves me so.

On I go not knowing,
I would not if I might;
I’d rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I’d rather walk in faith with Him
Than go alone by sight.

Mary G. Brainard

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With every blessing

Amanda