1-1-2015

 Good Morning All,

        Genesis 1:31; “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day”

     One of life’s great pleasures for me now is to watch my grandchildren grow. I watch them play and marvel as they accomplish new tasks and solve problems and overcome past struggles.  I still have on my cell phone the video as we watched my grandson first attempt to climb down steps on his own.  He continues to grow and we look forward to watching his sister grow and develop as well.  It is what parents and grandparents do; we revel in the growth and development of our children.  We look forward to sharing those events as we go.

    It is an amazing fact that this is how God looks upon us as well.  You are his dear children who he looks forward to walking in the cool of the morning with.  You are the children he likes to gaze at as we sleep.  You are the reason that God’s view of creation went from good to very good.  This is a phenomenal event.

    Think of all the beauty that exists in God’s creation.  Think of the beauty of a sunrise or sunset.  Think of the majestic beauty of a mountaintop or the splendor of a lush valley.  Think of the beauty in the stars or the amazing view that exists throughout the animal world or the shape of the clouds.  Think of how the psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”  The beauty of God’s creation is above everything, yet, God chooses to watch you.  It is you that he chooses to love.  It is you that he chooses to have this loving, fatherly relationship with.  It was no other creature that was made a living soul.  It is you.

    So as you begin this New Year, begin it with a renewed faith in the truth.  This truth is that God’s love for you knows no bounds.  His love for you causes him to give you the forgiveness that you so desperately need.  His love for you gives us the hope that we can hold onto when all looks hopeless and lost.  His love sustains us when all else fails.  So if your last year was particularly difficult and your struggles tough; let’s look forward to the grace that God bestows upon his people.

   Strive to leave the past in the past.  Strive to leave the devil’s assaults and lies behind you.  Don’t let them drag you down.  Leave the anger, the bitterness and the sorrow behind.  These are tools the devil uses to hold you down and to keep you from experiencing God’s wonderful grace.  You are the apple of God’s eye; live with the joy and peace and comfort that God desires you to have.  God views you as very good, worthy of redemption by Jesus.  Trust in his mercy for this coming year.

Father, in you we have hope for your mercies are new to us each day.  Keep us strong in our faith and give us the courage to live as your children.  Be with those who are battling the attacks of the devil.  Lead them to your safe arms.  Give them comfort in your grace and keep them in the knowledge of your salvation.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret