It is a new day and the beginning of a New Year and no matter where you are, no matter what stage of life you are in and no matter what your past is filled with you need to know that the same truth that existed thousands of years ago is still as true today as it ever was…God loves you!

He made the greatest sacrifice that can be made…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

Not only did God send Jesus to earth to save us, which alone is amazing to think about…Jesus was already in the kingdom of heaven, he was already in the place of eternal life where there is joy and peace, but he sacrificed all of that to come down to save you. Then Jesus did something unfathomable…

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:8

Although scared himself, as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane to God the Father to find another way to help humankind, Jesus followed through with God’s plan because he loves you that much.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

So please know that no matter what your circumstances are today, you are loved by God the Father, Jesus his Son and by the Holy Spirit.

May you live and experience all the fruits of the Spirit in 2017 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

Happy New Year!

(This is one of my favorite photos from 2016 it was taken in August in Mount Rainier National Park.  Did you notice the cross the trees form on the right hand side?)