2016 ~

A BRAND NEW YEAR ~ 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!



2016 ~
It feels strange how one year goes by so quickly and yet so slow at times.  A new beginning of a new day and new year has begun.  Time to set my mind upon higher things in life and trusting God through it all.  As I read the word of God, I want to share this Chapter to share with you today: 

Isaiah 61 (NIV)
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
    you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
    and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.

2016 ~
I am holding onto this year being that of the Lord's Favor.  Greater things are ahead and I just know it.  We make our plans and often times they get interrupted and we wonder why.  By trusting God, we let go of what we can not change and change the things we can.  The scripture above speaks of the oil of joy.  It is like pouring joy out of a container.  You must first pick it up and pour.  Joy comes by thinking upon all of what God has already done.  Counting blessings in life is a must for each of us.  Harder times of life comes and we find where we have put our trust.  God knows how to help us in all things, but it begins inside of you and me.  

I know that my life has messed up at times and I know that God has forgiven me.  I am not different than you in life.  We all have wonders, desires and what's next moments. I believe that this year greater things are ahead for you, your family and friends.  Keep God number one in your life and watch amazing things happen.  

My prayers continue for you and so thankful you take a few minutes a day to read this.  Keep those eyes focused positive things.  This is the year of the Lord's Favor! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
~ Sparkie

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