Well the New Year is here. 2016 will hold great new things for us. God’s Word says so.

In fact, each new day, will hold new things for us. We hope and pray they are good new things, but often the new isn’t that good. It seems that 2015 held a lot of pain and loss for the people not just in my little community, but around the world as well.   It’s been a tough year for me personally. Trying to recover from loosing my dad, strengthening my marriage and adjusting to having my mom here so I can take care of her.  Some days were just hard.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Matthew 10:29-31  says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Just in those 4 verses alone, I know that God is good.  That He wants us to be new creations.  He knows us personally. That He wants good things for us, such as Peace, Hope and to have an abundant life.

In 2016 my hope is that I will live out my relationship with Christ more intentionally.  I have made a commitment to seek Joy intentionally on a daily basis no matter my circumstances.  I will do that by spending time in the Word daily and asking for Joy for each new day. You can read more about my journey to Joy in my post, “Joy Is A Fruit of the Holy Spirit”.

There was a time where I felt really close to Christ.  During that time I was reading a One Year Bible.  Now I never made it through the Bible in a year, but it did give me a section of Scripture from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs each day.   I learned so much from that daily reading.  I found that there were parts of the Old Testament that I really enjoyed reading.  I also found that I still skip most of the book of Numbers.

So for this new year, I will change the settings on the Bible app on my phone so I can read sections of the Word the way I used to and see where that takes me.  I am sure it will take me to the feet of my Savior.  I am also sure, I will have Hope, Peace, Joy and a more abundant life.  Not to say that there won’t be challenging days, but to say that the way I handle those challenges will be the way Christ intended for me to handle them.

If this message doesn’t really make much sense to you.  If you don’t know what a relationship with Christ really is but find yourself in wanting of Hope, Peace, Joy and a more abundant life, you can simply talk to Jesus.  Tell him you want to know Him.  Confess your sins to Him and ask for His forgiveness.  Ask that He fill you with HIs Spirit so you will have the ability to live life for Him.  He died for you on the cross over 2000 years ago.  Get yourself a Bible.  Find a Bible preaching church, and find out why.

What are you Hoping 2016 will bring for you?  If you haven’t had a relationship with Christ in the past, but are looking for more because of this post.  Or have simply let life get between you and your Savior, but have found encouragement here at All Things Genuine, please tell me about it in the “Leave Reply” link at the top.

Philippians 4:7New International Version (NIV)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Amen and Happy New Year!

♥Sabrina