This is a brand new year!  It’s like a shiny new page to write on.  What will you do with it?  It is time to put away the things that have weighed you down in 2016 and begin again with God.  He says His mercies are “new every morning” Lam.3:23 (NKJV)  What does His new mercy look like?  Mercy is a beautiful thing!  Mercy is forgiveness, kindness in excess, compassion, refraining from punishment.  The mercy of God is given to us freely.  The costly sacrifice of Jesus on the cross made this possible.  So, every morning of this new year, God’s mercies are available to you.  When you are tired and worn from the work you do. When you are lonely.  When you feel betrayed or sorrowful.  When frustration wants to steal your peace, or anything else that you may come up against.  He is there to give you His mercy in place of your weakness.  He has good things for you!

Look to Him in hope and expectation of what He has for you in this new year.  God loves to do new things!  He is a God of incredible variety, beauty, and joy.  Look at creation to see how He enjoys things that are new and growing.  That’s what He wants to do in you.  He desires to help you bear fruit in your life as you draw your strength and nourishment from relationship with Him.  As this happens in your own life, share what He has done for you!  Make time to get together with your friends, family, neighbors, or someone new that God places in your path.  Share a meal, some tea or coffee, or just your time.  Let God put His love in your heart for those around you.

“Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.” Rev.21:5(NKJV)

When God reveals truth to us, he wants us not only to soak it in, but to get moving!  Basically, applying the truths we have learned.  You will find yourself in a very dead and dry place if all you do is live in a constant state of doing Bible study, but never activating it in your own life.  What are some ways to pursue God when you are caring for your family’s needs?  Or when you are single and desiring to do His will?  Does God want you to take risks?  Be willing to step out on faith?  I think He does.  When God called my husband and I into prison & rehabilitation ministry, our children were very young and there were those who thought we were being foolish and putting them in danger.  We were moving to a town away from where we had grown up and ministering to people we had never met.  Our parents, for one, were not impressed!  We also had Christian friends who couldn’t believe it.  We continued to receive confirmations from God that we were on the right path, but sometimes it felt like going way out on a limb.  When God calls you to something, He prepares you and your children.  He provides and He protects.  The very safest and most fulfilling place to be is in the center of God’s destiny and purpose for you.  Our children all survived and not only that, they thrived!  Their little hearts were filled with compassion from Jesus and they gained new Christian family in the process.  As teens & adults, they are now pursuing their own adventures with God unafraid, and seeing Him do amazing things in their life!  Ask the Holy Spirit what He has for you to do.  For those of us with families, God calls us to minister to them first and it is such a high calling!   He has called you to shape eternal lives and to have influence for His kingdom.  I was so blessed to be able to stay at home with my children.  It was the hardest and most worthwhile thing I have ever done!  I realize not everyone has that privilege, but God will continue to lead you and give you grace in the things He has for you. He gives each one of us gifts and callings to be used for His glory.  Be ready!  Be alert and listening to His voice.  Don’t be “guilted” into doing anything.  Be purposeful and move in His timing, it’s perfect.  You can walk in the freedom and guidance of the Holy Spirit and let the condemnation of perfectionism go.  Something I’ve done to put into practice what I’m learning is write a verse that God has brought to my heart on a 3×5 index card and put it in a place I will see it everyday.  Meditating on it, praying it over myself and my family, and asking God to put it within me and in my life.  Col.3:23, “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men.”(NIV)

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” ( John 6:35,NIV)  He is the only One who can truly satisfy the longing within each of us.  I love to make bread!  It is so much better than store- bought and smells soooo good when you take it out of the oven.  The feeling of comfort and nourishment that it brings is incomparable.  Here is one of my favorite bread recipes, enjoy!

Sunflower Oatmeal Bread

2 c. unbleached flour, 2 c. old-fashioned oats, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/3 c. walnuts (or your choice of chopped nuts), 1/4 c. sunflower seeds, 4 t. yeast, 1 and 1/2 t. salt, 1 and 1/2 c. water, 2/3 c. vegetable oil, 1/2 c. buttermilk, 1/2 c. honey, 2 eggs, 1 and 1/2 c. whole wheat flour.

.Activate yeast in small bowl by adding a pinch of flour and a pinch of sugar and 1/2 c. warm water.  Let stand while you combine dry ingredients.  In saucepan heat water, oil, honey, buttermilk to lukewarm.  Add to dry ingredients and add yeast mixture.  Beat in eggs, and whole wheat flour.  Keep adding unbleached flour until you have a soft dough.  Let rise 1 hour.  Divide into 3 loaves and put into greased bread pans.  Let rise until double.  Beat 1 egg and 1 T. water and brush over loaves, sprinkle with handful of oats and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.  Makes 3 loaves.