Hope Born on Christmas

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Ro.15:13

Aloha Girls!

I love this verse in Romans for the Christmas season that’s upon us. And I love Christmas time, too! I’ve been counting down the days since last year’s Christmas celebration. Bring on the holiday lights, the festive decorations, the Christmas music, food, friends, family and cheer! I really do enjoy it all. It can be a time filled with flurry and fuss, yet the true meaning of Christmas is filled with the message of HOPE. Romans 15:13 is a wonderful prayer to pray. It’s a prayer Paul wants every Christian to experience, not only during the holiday season but all the time! We can all use more joy and peace in believing the promises of God in our lives. Everyone can use a fresh dose of Hope! This verse in Romans, begins and ends with Hope! God is our source, the One who gives us Hope. And… Hope was born on Christmas! Hope was given as a gift of love, from God in Jesus, the ultimate source of Hope. 

Over 2000 years ago, people were looking for a sign of better times ahead. They were in dire need of Hope. The world was covered in darkest and oppression, kind-of-like our world today. The coming Messiah had been prophesied over and over again, throughout the Old Testament, yet most people missed it! God’s gift of Hope wasn’t received because of unbelief. BUT, to those who choose to believe in Jesus; they not only have Hope for a better future someday, but can also experience daily Hope each and every day!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

 that whoever ‘believes in Him’ should not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE.”

“Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you ‘believe in Him’ 

so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

Remember, Biblical Hope is not uncertain Hope. It’s not dreaming or wishing something maybe, hopefully, will happen; like - - “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow because I’m planning a picnic at the beach.” Or, when I get the buzzer at the restaurant, hoping we don’t have to wait very long for a table to eat! Biblical Hope is certain because it banks on the fact of God’s promises; but we haven’t experienced the fulfillment yet. 

The powerful message of Christmas Hope, can be applied to our hearts + minds during the Christmas season and the coming New Year ahead. If anyone has reason for Hope… followers of Jesus do! Let’s point others to Jesus! I pray that the God of Hope, will fill you with His joy + His peace in believing, (through the experience of your faith), that you would abound in Hope and overflow with confidence in His promises, by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of you. Amen.

Christmas blessings, Karen

Being Led

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.” Romans 8:14 (NASB)

Sisters in Christ,

Did you know that the “most-followed” person across different social media sites is the soccer player, Cristiano Ronaldo? He has about 881 million total followers between his different social media platforms, but despite this massive fan base, he mainly shares about his soccer victories and business sponsorships and endeavors.  With such a large following, this soccer player is influencing and leading those who look up to him.  As we look out at others’ lives and accounts, who is it that we are being led by?  

Who are we following?  Can we really say that we are being led by God, or are we being led by this world and the things of this world? The people and accounts we follow are the ones that are influencing and subtly leading us in our everyday actions and pursuits.  As daughters of God, we are led by the Spirit of God, but we have the choice to follow His voice or to ignore it. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Paul wrote to the church “Do not quench the Spirit”.  The word quench can also be translated as extinguish, stifle, or suppress.  If we choose to ignore or suppress the voice of the Spirit in our lives, we can miss out on the growth that He wants to lead us in and the nearness of His working in our lives.

God leads His people by His Spirit, encouraging us to step out in faith from our comfort zones to serve others, uplift one another, share a word of truth, or ask for forgiveness when we want to be right in our own eyes. If you’ve ever felt a quickening in your heart when you knew you were supposed to share a verse, or if your heart was beating so hard because you knew God wanted you to stand up and speak encouragement over someone, those are examples of the Lord leading you.

Let’s pray for our sisters this month to be led by the Spirit, and to follow His voice and direction.  Pray that we would not ignore His leading, but that by His grace, we would grow in faith and His power as daughters of the Most High.  May we not be those that shrink back and follow this world, but let us be those that stand firm in the power of His Spirit.

Looking to Jesus, 

Jaime Angel

The Unchanging Nature of God

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Aloha Girls!

I absolutely love living here on the North Shore in Hawaii! I moved here waay back in 1975. I still love this place after all these years and thankful for family and friends we’ve made along the way. When I’m driving homeward bound on the road where all the pretty Norfolk Pine Christmas trees are planted on either side of the road, AND I can see far off in the distance, the ocean shore... I am reminded of the steadfast, unchanging, never-wavering, character of God. I usually am stirred up by the beauty I see, and speak out a thank You prayer to the Lord; thanking Him that I still get to live here in Haleiwa; the place where it’s summertime all year long! I do miss the Fall season though, with the ever-changing colorful leaves. 

Although seasons come and go… God never changes! He remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What TRUTH to hold on to - - in this unbelievable, ever-changing world. Look around! Our world is changing fast - - right before our eyes! Unthinkable things! What would have been considered unusual, wrong, not true, only a few years ago…today it’s accepted and celebrated, as truths that have changed, rebooted and progressing. 

I pray you find comfort + peace of mind, knowing God never changes. He doesn’t alter the rules or revise our moral values. He doesn’t move the line. Jesus is always the same. His Word is Truth. He remains steadfast and true to His Word. We don’t have to fear what the future holds; although it’s scary. He’s reigning over all! That includes the mess of this world with the ever-shifting values of what’s right and what’s wrong. It also includes the difficulties you may be facing today. Jesus is aware of it all. He can be trusted. Hold on to hope. Jesus is our hope and He’s coming back soon for His bride. YAY! Everything is falling into place…

“… Therefore, we who have fled to Jesus for refuge

 can have great confidence as we hold on to the HOPE that lies before us. 

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls…” 

Hebrews 6:18-19

God bless you, Karen

Peace and Flourishing

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you..” Isaiah 66:13

Sisters in Christ,

Our hearts are still reeling with the loss and destruction of Lahaina town.  Too many lives were lost in the midst of the firestorm, and the devastation that remains in the wake of this tragedy will continue to bring painful memories.  Many survivors shared that living through the Lahaina fires was like seeing a glimpse of hell on earth, but Pastor Steve Santos from Calvary Chapel Lahaina shared a beautiful word in 1 Kings 19:11-13 that the Lord wasn’t in the winds, the earthquake, or in the fire, but He was in the still small voice that called to Elijah.  The Lord was meeting and reaching out to Elijah in his despair, and though the mighty natural disasters happened all around him, God’s voice was one of soothing comfort and calm.

Through the disasters and heartache in life, the God of comfort is ever present and desiring to bring peace, restoration, and new life.  I think of the disciples in the many storms and waves of despair, and how Jesus called them to faith and peace as He calmed the disasters around them with His still small voice, “Peace! Be still” (Mark 4:39).  In Isaiah 66:13, God calls out to His people to ease their anxious and hurting hearts, just as a mother comforts her scared, hurting child.  A mother restores her child from fear to confidence, from hurt to healed, and from despair to delight.  Our God calls us near to comfort us in an even greater way.

The Lord still reaches out to His people, extending love and lavishing grace to those that will respond to His call “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream..” (Isaiah 66:12).  Our God wants to pour out comfort on  His people in the midst of the storms in and around them, as it is only through His comforting hand that we have true and eternal flourishing and rejoicing (Isaiah 66:13-14). He is ever present, and continues to call and bring us back to His good plan (2 Tim 1:9).

It is for this reason we push on and draw near to the Lover of our souls, responding to His still small voice and receiving the comfort which restores our hearts.  In 2 Corinthians 1:4 it says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”  Let’s be a people known by pouring out the comfort which we have received from Him, and pray for those in our lives to also hear His still small voice in the disasters around us.

Looking to Jesus, 

Jaime Angel

Jesus, The Bread of Life

“Jesus said, I AM the Bread of Life; he who comes to me will never hunger… “ John 6:35

Aloha Girls!

That’s quite a claim! I love bread! I especially like it when you go to a restaurant and they give you a basket full of bread to hold off the hunger pangs. Asiago’s bread rocks! Of course, that doesn’t last long and I can eat the entire basket, it’s so delicious! If you know anything about carbs, after you consume them, your hunger comes back with a vengeance - - they just don’t satisfy. 

The kind of bread Jesus is talking about is bread from heaven. You can feed on this bread all day long and thru the midnight hours. It’s guiltless, and calorie free! This heavenly bread DOES make you hungry for more and more. But what’s different about this bread, is that it brings you complete satisfaction! You’ll find it’s more than enough to fill your deepest needs.

This Bread will strengthen you when you feel weak. It will pick you up when you are feeling down. It will nourish your soul and give you life. This Heavenly Bread promises you peace in the midst of life’s storms, and gives you hope for your tomorrows. It can change your perspective and turn your sobs of sorrow into a song of praise! God’s Heavenly Bread can move you from a place of fear + doubting to a place of trusting and clinging. To the ROCK, who’s faithful and true, whose thoughts and ways are not like mine nor yours. 

I know this is true, because it’s what happens in my life, day by day as I feed on God’s living Word. When I encounter the hard things in life, its my reminder to turn my attention upward and feed on Jesus, the Bread of life to sustain me. BUT… that doesn’t always happen. Sounds good on paper, right? I can be led by my emotions rather than God’s promises in His Word. And when my emotions spin out of control, the enemy is laughing. It’s his desire to keep us pressed down and chained to our emotions. But God’s Word can literally set you free! His Word is your lifeline. 

Have you nourished your soul today by feeding on God’s Word? Can I encourage you to open your Bible and let Jesus, the Bread of Life sustain and nourish you? Let His living water bring refreshment and renewal, to your heart, your mind, your attitudes, as you draw near to Him. It’s not once and done---- but daily, carve out time to ‘take in’ God’s Word and then ‘breathe it out’ in your daily life. He is the air that we breathe! Don’t hold your breath! His Word is your lifeline. 

Blessings, Karen

Awaiting His Return

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Titus 2:13

Aloha Girls!

Everyone loves a LOVE story. Don’t you agree? Maybe that’s why we like fairy tales so much. Those ‘Once upon a time’ stories, that take you into fantasyland where dreams always come true. Most of us grew up with stories like Cinderella, Snow White and the Princess Bride (my favorite). There’s a lot of action and extraordinary adventure! There’s a hero; he’s the good guy rescuing the lady in distress. There’s a bad guy; the villain, who adds drama, disappointment and struggle. BUT in the end, the good always overcomes the bad, and dreams are fulfilled. True love is found and they live happily ever after. It’s a great love story, but the sad part is that it didn’t really happen. 

BUT…  the greatest LOVE story ever told, is absolutely true! This real LOVE story, is about a love relationship between God and His people. There is genuine heart-felt love letters written on the pages of your Bible from beginning (Genesis) to end (Revelation). It’s filled with action and adventure! There’s a King who was looking for love. He’s the hero who cast off His robes and takes on a new identity in order to meet the Bride of His dreams (that’s you). There is a villain, named Satan, who brings much drama, heartache, discouragement and struggles. But in the end, we know the good always overcomes the bad. True love is found and they live happily ever after… 

BUT… we aren’t at the end of our story yet. We are living in the in-between time. There is a grand royal wedding on the horizon a-coming! It’s a heavenly wedding between Christ and His Bride, the Church. Scripture tells us that no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return. To better understand this concept; In Jewish Culture, weddings were arranged by the parents. They entered a covenant called a betrothal, but the Bride didn’t know the date or time of her wedding day. Can you imagine how difficult that would be? Her Groom would go prepare a place for her, and told her – I’ll be back. Listen for the trumpet of my return. It could be up to a year before he would return for her and they would be wed. In the meantime, during her waiting period, she needed to read her love letters to remind her of His love for her. She was to watch, to prepare for her wedding day and be alert for His soon return. 

In the same way, if you are a Christian, you have been betrothed to Christ. He is our heavenly Bridegroom. We are engaged/promised (so to speak) to Him. It’s so easy these days for our hearts to get weighed down with the cares of this life, and forget what glory lies ahead of us as Christians. As a woman in 2023, are you looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ? Our upcoming DAY-Treat is about this idea. It’s called, “Here Comes the Groom.” Mark your calendar for Saturday August 26th @ Camp Homelani. Registration begins the end of July. We pray that it will be a time of fellowship, encouragement, and a fresh stirring of your love for Jesus. 

God bless you, Karen

No Longer Strangers

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:13

Sisters in Christ,

Have you ever felt left out or like you weren’t included?  Maybe you didn’t get that invite to the party, or maybe you weren’t in on that inside-joke.  Or perhaps, you knew that you didn’t fit in with the group of regulars, or surfers, or Mandalorian fanatics.  If you’ve ever felt excluded or like you didn’t belong, you’re not alone.  In this post-pandemic age, more than two in five adults report “always” feeling “left out” and more than half of U.S. adults (58%) are considered lonely (Cigna Group, 2022).  Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus about the major division, exclusivity, and segregation that was happening right there among church people.

The Ephesian church was made up of people who believed in Jesus, but they couldn’t be more different from one another: Jews, raised with the Torah and knowledge that they were God’s chosen people, and Gentiles, basically anyone who wasn’t a Jew and probably came out of a life of idol worship.  These two groups were so divided that they didn’t even eat together.  I wonder if the Gentile Christians felt the sting of exclusion when they didn’t get the invite to the feasts of the Jewish Christians, or if the Jewish Christians were bummed about missing out on brunch plans at Kono’s.  There was absolutely a level of exclusion and separation between the Gentiles and the Jews of the church, but even more so, there had been a separation of Gentiles from the Lord.

In Ephesians 2:12 we see the real chasm of division that these people had faced, exclusion from the people of God and the hopelessness of separation from Christ.  Prior to knowing Jesus as Lord of our lives, we all were far away and with no hope of inclusion, of belonging to a people, or of ever getting to know the God we were created to worship. But by the blood of Christ, Jesus became the way for us to be brought near to God.  His sacrifice on the cross brought us hope to be invited into the promises of His glory and to be included in His chosen people. We’re no longer excluded or left out, no longer in the darkness or loneliness of separation.  Now we can experience true belonging as children of the most-high God!

Christ is our peace, and He has torn down the dividing walls of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, making these completely different groups into one people (Eph 2:14). I pray that we would know Jesus is continuing to do that even today between our own differing groups and people. We have an awesome summer full of fun events to join together and let any walls of unknowns, division, or hostility come down as we look to Christ. Come on out to the Hearts to Pray Dinner Celebration on Tuesday, June 27 at 6:30pm for another opportunity to connect and be encouraged in the great things God is doing (Location: Karen’s home: 66-475 Kilioe Pl. Haleiwa).

In His grace, 

Jaime Angel

Clothed with Strength + Dignity

“She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.”

Proverbs 31:25

Aloha Girls!

This verse from Proverbs 31 surprisingly, jumped off the page when I came across it last month. I was surprised it was highlighted on my heart because the Proverbs 31 woman isn’t one of my favorite women in the Bible. She can get a bad rap because she appears to be so perfect, doesn’t she? Take Esther, Deborah, Abagail, or Ruth - - these women I can relate to. They seem more ordinary.  When you read their stories, you can see imperfections. They didn’t have their act together, yet God used them in extra-ordinary ways! The Proverbs 31 lady has no inadequacies listed that I can see. She’s superior in so many areas; like the modern-day Martha Stewart or the courageous movie image of Wonder Woman! Who can attain to such strength and Pinterest perfection? Because of this, many people feel discouraged by her seemingly impossible standard set for women. 

So, who is this Proverb 31 Woman? Did you know that she’s not even an actual person? You can sigh a breath of relief! LOL These verses weren’t written as a ‘checklist’ or a ‘to do’ list for women. It was written as a poem by King Lemuel’s Mother describing the kind of woman, she hoped her son would find. It’s a beautiful representation of what it means to be a virtuous woman.

To be virtuous isn’t a matter of reaching perfection. Virtue simple means that your behavior displays your high moral standards. A person of virtue knows what is right and then does what is right. A virtuous woman intentionally chooses beyond what’s just good reaching toward what is best, in order to honor God with her life. Her outward actions are an indication of the virtue inside her heart. To be clothed with strength indicates a person’s capacity to withstand adversity. She’s strong, but not because she lifts weights and her abs are toned and firm. Although that’s a good thing!  I wish I was strong there☺

The secret to her strength, (although it’s not really a secret since its written down for us to read); Her motivation for all she does flows out of her reverence, her devotion, her relationship with God. She’s a woman who fears the Lord. She has peace of mind, and can laugh at the uncertainties of life with her future, because she knows and trusts the Lord. Let’s be women who are clothed with strength + dignity. 

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:30

God bless you, Karen

According to Your Faith

“He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?””

Mark 4:40 

Sisters in Christ,

​We are into the second quarter of the year!  Although it’s only April, many changes and new seasons can start to take place. It’s a great time to stop and smell the new blooms and to get ready to finish up the school year.  For some, the end of the school year is the kickoff to an awesome and carefree summer.  To others, it might signal graduation and the start of a whole new chapter of life.  Changes in seasons are usually catalysts of stress, anxiety, and even fear, but looking through Mark 4, we get a glimpse of how God used a swell of change to build up faith.  

The “furious squall” of Mark 4:37 was unanticipated.  Jesus and the disciples had recently finished sharing parables of the kingdom with the crowds, and after Jesus’ order to “go over to the other side”, they set out on some boats.  I’m wondering if they were looking to have a nice, quiet, easy sail over to the other side (no walking, no crowds, possibly some nap time).  Instead, they were in over their heads with waves and nearly swamped (Mk 4:37).  

How similar does this sound to the changes of seasons in our lives? We might look to a change of pace as a break to relax, but somehow, we find ourselves in over our heads or crashed down by the waves of pressures.  Of course, we know that in this passage, Jesus wakes from His nap after the disciples cry out to Him and proceeds to rebuke the wind and waves (Mk 4:38-39). Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, and they immediately calmed and obeyed His command.  The very next verse, we see Jesusaddress “his disciples” in a more loving way as He asks them “Why are you so afraid?”.

Did any specific fear come to mind when you read the words of Jesus above: “Why are you so afraid?” The disciples feared for their lives, but we often fear the unknowns and the “what-ifs”. Jesus was caring for their very hearts as he asked that question.  Beyond the transition from one side of the lake to the other side, even beyond the change from a raging storm to calm seas, was the transformation of these disciples’ faith and understanding of who Jesus truly was.  Jesus revealed Himself as God, the One whom the wind and waves obey.  Through God carrying them and caring for them during the journeys, their faith was shaken alive. These moments increased their understanding of the Jesus who saves, the Jesus who can be trusted, the Jesus who hears and answers, and even the Jesus who is our Peace in every storm.  Let’s pray that He would increase our faith and open our eyes to trust Him throughout every step of our lives, knowing that He opens the eyes of blind men “according to your faith” (Mat 9:29).

In His grace,

Jaime Angel

Encouragement Needed

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Dear Women Who are Praying, 

Encouragement! We all need it. Who doesn’t like to receive an encouraging word? We all do! There have been many times in my life, when someone has come along, at the perfect moment in time, with the right words, bringing encouragement to my heart. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstances.” Proverbs 25:11. I’m not exactly sure how this visual conveys the importance of a timely word spoken but I’m sure apples of gold in silver settings must be valuable and/or beautiful too! So are our words.

Encourage means to comfort, to come alongside to help, strengthen or support. It’s more than giving someone a compliment on their hair or clothing. Although that’s a welcome encouragement – right? We need to encourage one another in the Word of God. God’s Word is where true peace, encouragement and comfort can be found. 

If there was ever a time, we need to encourage one another it is now! Praying for others is encouraging. Thank you for faithfully standing with the women of NSCF through your prayers in this ministry… (If you fail to pray at times, just pick up and carry on praying in the days ahead). Your prayers are a huge encouragement! And when you follow thru and send a text or card in the mail, the gal you are praying for will know and receive your encouragement in a more personal way. I received a card last month, that uplifted my heart ☺ I’m so thankful for the Body of Christ. Together we are fulfilling our Lord’s command to encourage and love one another as we pray for each other through this much needed ministry. 

Who is it that the Lord is calling you to encourage + uplift today? To share a word fitly spoken? Did you know that when you encourage someone else with God’s Word, that encouragement comes back to your own heart as well? It’s a win-win! So, let’s keep on encouraging + building up others, just as you are doing.

God bless you, Karen

A Heart of Love

“We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Sisters in Christ,

Happy February!  The month of love and valentines is upon us, and what better way to celebrate this time than to look to Love, Himself.  God is love (1 John 4:8) and He describes Himself in Exodus 34:6-7 as “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin...” The love of the Lord is steadfast and abounding, faithful and enduring.  When we were even still sinning against Him, Christ showed us the ultimate love by laying down His life to pay for our debt of death. We see in 1 John 4 the overflow of God’s love: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:10-12). What a beautiful picture of God’s redeeming love for an undeserving people.

Why does love seem so elusive in this day and age? The chocolates and hearts will come and go, leaving a wake of longing and a nudge of loneliness in their stead.  Do we sit at our desks waiting for the valentines to pour into our mailboxes when in actuality, God wants us to lavish love on the ones around us? God’s love is steadfast and forgiving, it endures faithfully and is gracious and patient.  When have we last showed love like that to those around us?  We can only truly love from an overflow of the love that God has already poured into our lives and hearts.  God loved us so that we might love one another. How sweet that we can trust in Jesus’ love, a love that sacrifices and intercedes.  But it is that much sweeter that we can share His love with one another. In 1 John 4:12 it says that if we love one another, God abides (lives/dwells) in us, and His love is perfected in us.  

He loved us first, and when we realize and accept this sacrificial, life giving love of Christ, His perfect love in us will propel us to love one another.  Let’s love from His heart this month, not as the world loves, but by giving the true and lasting love of Jesus.  We have the greatest love letter in the sixty-six books of the Bible, with every book and chapter pointing to the Lover of our souls.  Let’s intercede for our Sisters in the Lord through prayer, that they would know and also share with others the love of Jesus’ life-changing sacrifice, the love of His merciful salvation, and the love of a wonderful Father.  

Looking to Jesus, 

Jaime Angel

God's New Year Resolution

The old has passed away, behold the new has come… 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hey Girls!

Happy New Year! It’s time to turn the page and look ahead to the unfolding of a New Year! I’m ready to embrace the new – aren’t you? I’m ready for the past year to be behind me and expectantly look ahead to new things the Lord wants to do. This is the time of year when many people make New Year’s resolutions. Is this something you like to do? Most of us can look back and see areas we would like to change or improve in the coming year. Some resolve to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, spend quality time with family, improve relationships, read through the Bible, and on and on the list of resolutions go. Each of us desires a better, brighter future, full of hope for a changed life. So often, our resolutions are hard to maintain and nothing changes. We soon forget our goals and discouragement can set in. Maybe that’s why I don’t usually make any new year’s resolutions… 

I was reminded of the reality of this verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17. … if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new.” What an amazing resolution our God has made to us! Think of it… He has made us brand new! The old life is gone, a new life has begun! That’s an amazing transformation that has ALREADY taken place in each of our lives if we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

Aren’t you thankful for the promise of a clean slate and the reality of a changed life because of Jesus? There was a time in my life when I was consumed with regret and shame over my past. I could not get rid of the old - no matter what I did. It would play out in my mind over and over again. But when I received Jesus’ forgiveness and put my faith in Him – He cleansed my conscious! I let it go. He set me free from my past and gave me a NEW identity in Him! Do you have a story like that? I know you do...

And Jesus is in the process of making ALL things new in each of our lives and He’s transforming us to look more and more like Jesus. God’s commitment and resolution is to make us look like Him and walk in newness of life; Romans 6:4. He’s resolved to show us new things; Isaiah 43:19, and to give us a new heart; Ez. 36:26. Someday… REAL soon, Jesus is coming again. He’s going to make a new heaven and a new earth. He’s going to give us a new name! I can’t wait for Him to fulfill these resolutions. So, look up. Be filled with hope. The things we see now on the earth will pass away. Yay! All things will become new. God’s New Year resolutions will all come to pass…

Blessings to you, Karen