We can approach 2018 without fear…trusting instead, knowing that our loving Heavenly Father will hold our hand and faithfully help us through each new adventure!

“White as snow, white as snow. Though my sins were as scarlet, Lord, I know, Lord I know, that I’m clean and forgiven!” This is one composer’s version of Isaiah 1:18, but the best version of all is the one we get to live out through our everyday lives…knowing we truly are clean and forgiven!

“White As Snow” lyrics
Leon Olguin/Kelly Willard

White as snow, white as snow
Though my sins were as scarlet
Lord, I know, Lord, I know
That I’m clean and forgiven

Through the power of Your blood
Through the wonder of Your love
Through faith in You
I know that I can be
White as snow

Peace and gratitude are choices of the heart, choices only the Lord can sustain for us…May He reign on the thrones of our hearts in and throughout this soon approaching New Year as we thank Him for His peace.‬

Mary took God at His Word and He delivered His Power, His Shadow of love and protection over her, and He fulfilled His Promise…God’s Plan was accomplished through Mary as it is through every life yielded to Him.

God promised redemption for His children Israel, and He always does what He says He will do and more. Jesus not only came to redeem Israel, but ‘whosoever’ beleiveth in Him! Praise the Lord God who did it all for ALL of us!

Some of yesterday’s gifts were too big, too small, already a disappointment or are possibly already broken. But the everlasting, precious Gift of God’s Son is One we will treasure in our hearts more with each passing day!

Who would leave His throne in Heaven, be born in a lowly manger to a poor young couple, live a meager life as a carpenter, become an itinerate preacher with nowhere to lay his head and die on a cross for sinful mankind just to BE WITH US? ONLY JESUS!

Jesus is everything the angel said He would be… The Great Son of the Most High! Who could ask for more!!!?!!!

At Christmas and always, we can join the angels in praising God saying, “Glory to God in the highest!” Even to this day and age, He is still the Giver of peace and good will…giving peace that passes human understanding to all who trust His Son.

The Angel said, “fear not,” to the shepherds…And though seeing an angel had to be quite shocking, the message was good, filled with calming peace, hope of salvation and joy for everyone, including us! Glory be to the newborn King!‬

We don’t have to miss out on experiencing God’s Miraculous Gift like the innkeeper did long ago. When we make room for Jesus and invite Him in through our heart’s door, He gladly enters!

Before the birth of Jesus, God the Father took care of every detail of His life, as He does ours. God, the very Giver of Life, gifted us with His Son so that we may have abundant life through Christ…now and forever!

Taking God at His Word, accepting and believing it with all her heart, and responding with humility, trust and obedience empowered Mary with Blessed Hope beyond her own meager understanding…as it will with us!

When things look dark and scary from our vantage point, the True Light radiates out of the darkness…Jesus, the Hope of all creation!

Our ever present Lord is our Lifelong Help and Faithful Deliverer. He will see us through a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g! 🙂

Our Heavenly Father listens when we pray and withholds no good thing…He loves us!

That thing you are trusting God for? Don’t give up, keep on praying, stay in faith! He can surely do it…because nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible for our Giant, Amazing, Matchless God!

God, summoning us by name, shows us that He knows us way before we ever know Him…He values us…We matter to Him. What a comfort!

As we humbly bow before the Lord in reverence and respect, He upholds us and lifts us up!

The Lord is always here, bearing our burdens more than we ever feel, see or know.

There is no firmer foundation to build our hope upon than the Rock of Ages!

The free gift of salvation that God offers us in Jesus Christ satisfies our thirst for something – someone – to save us from ourselves for all eternity. All we had to do is believe! 🙂

God is interested in every tiny detail of our lives…all the way down to the number of hairs on each head.

God empowers us with His Spirit to be confident rather than timid, to be self-disciplined rather than in disarray and to love rather than be judgmental, jealous or unkind.

The Lord has never forsaken those who trust and seek Him, and He will never forsake us! There is no greater Hope than the Lord our God!

Like images in the sand that wash away with the tide, so are the sins of all who believe in Him…they are washed away by the precious blood of Jesus!

Before the fall of mankind, God gave us the gift of work…and as we thank Him for giving us abilities, strength and breath to do our work well, it becomes a blessing to us and others!