The truth is that reality is never quite like we expect. Life has been somewhat more difficult, somewhat more troublesome than we may have expected. Christianity may have been a bit more difficult to walk out in daily life than we expected. But the point is NOT what WE expect, but what Jesus expects of us. And as we move into a New Year, what Jesus gives to us and expects from us is fresh response to Him, fresh expectancy for His grace and goodness and life, fresh faith, and fresh growth in Him. We can continue to change to be more like Him—and that, after all, is our desire and HIS.

If you have not given your life to Jesus, understand that He is the ONLY Savior -- the Only One who can help you, save you, forgive you, give you life forever. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life, surrender fully to Him. And you, too, can discover that you are walking in a complete NEW day.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
     It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. ²³They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Thank God that the mercy and faithfulness of God is unending, unfailing, and so preciously there for us each day. Grace and mercy, gifts of God, are ours everyday. Do we deserve that? No, but simply RECEIVE His gifts and walk in new life every single day. Each time you repent and ask forgiveness from Jesus for something you've done, each time you turn away from sin, there is NEW life for you.

2 Cor. 5:17 (KJV)
     Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

WHAT GREAT NEWS!