Romans 5:5 ” And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us.”

The hope we have is because of the Lord’s great love for us.  No disappointment is too big…no challenge too great, that His love can’t overcome.  This hope we possess has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit  who is continually encouraging us to not give up.

Psalm 33:11 ” But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

From the moment of creation…to the furthest reaches of the future, there are two things that will never change about God.  He will never lie, and He will never change His mind. (Numbers 23:19)  The plans he puts into motion are driven by divine wisdom and love and will never see failure…for He is God.

Romans 1:8 ” First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”

Every time you share your faith with someone…every time you openly declare your trust and belief in Jesus Christ…God’s word reaches farther into the world.  Little did I know when I started this Daily Devotional a little over three years ago that it would now be reaching over 100 countries around the world.  As it states in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”  Our faith and belief in the Gospel message, when shared with others, catapults His Word to the far-flung reaches  of this world.

II John verse 6 ” And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands, as you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”

As you start your journey into 2016, are you willing to yield all of yourself to the Lord…conforming yourself to His ways, not yours?  Are you willing to give Him that secret part of you that you’ve been holding on to…hiding from Him…unable to give Him fully?  Obedience is the fundamental key in our relationship with God…for His love is truly made complete in it. ( I John 2:5)

Psalm 94:11 ” The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile.”

The Lord knows them all…every ill-intended, evil thought.  He sees every vain and worthless plan, and will  listen to every ridiculous scheme when we’re trying to impress Him with our wisdom. To paraphrase I Corinth. 3:20,  The wisdom of the world is utterly absurd and ridiculous to God is so very true.  Every time we think we know it all…we need to remember that we know nothing.

Jude 1:2 ” Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.”

On this first day of 2016,  I pray this scripture over you and yours.  May the Lord’s compassion be ever evident in your life…may you discover true peace that is only brought about by God’s tender mercy,  granting you deliverance and freedom from sin…and may His unconditional love shine brightly on you as you journey ahead in this new year.  God loves you!

Isaiah 9:6 ” For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus the Messiah has come to earth for you and me this Christmas Day. He offers mercy and love, peace and comfort, salvation and eternal life in place of the pain, loss, and hopelessness that may be in your life today.  Allow Him to come into your life and change you from the inside out…taking all the negatives and transforming them into hope for the future. A Blessed Christmas to all of you!

Isaiah 7:14 ” Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Isaiah’s prophetic word to King Ahaz came in 734BC…but the words are true still today.   God isn’t some far off Deity…gazing casually and unconcerned  towards earth.  God isn’t some unreachable quest, sought by only a chosen few on set times.  No, God is with us at this very moment…God is with you and me and all who believe in Jesus Christ His Son.  God is truly with you…He is real and right there residing inside your heart.

Acts 18: 9-10 ” One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; Keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’ “

After this revelation, Paul boldly stayed in Corinth for  almost 2 years preaching and teaching the Word of God.  Even when the Jews attempted to bring Paul before the Proconsul, Gallio, he refused to listen to the case.  Proverbs 16:7 states, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him.”  The very safest place to be is in the center of God’s Will.

Genesis 1:26 ” Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness’…”

We are the only creatures on earth that the Lord created  like Him.  When someone looks at you…they should see the Father. When they look in your eyes, they should see Jesus smiling back.   The old adage is so true here –  a apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  You are like your Father, and your Father is in you.