Dear Friend,

Here it is: 2017. I’m amazed at how fast 2016 has gone by.

Levi is five years old now and tells me how big he is (I’m smiling). Levi brings a great deal of joy to my life. He changes constantly, and quite often, his emotions try to rule. He can be laughing one minute and having a meltdown the next—it might be over the dog chewing up his toy or maybe because he had to pick up all of his toys. But even after Levi gets in trouble, he will always come back and hug me and says he loves me.

I firmly believe that when we’re corrected by our Father, we should run to Him and tell Him how much we love Him. I know we may not always feel like doing that, but He does correct those whom He loves.

Sometimes we let our emotions dictate to us what we’re going to do or how we’re going to feel, and that can really hurt us. However, I want the Word of God to rule in my life—to let the Word have the final say-so.

It is a battle, but for 2017, I would encourage you to try and spend quality time with the Lord.

I’ve won some battles, and I’ve lost some. But I will always get back up and fight.

The devil hates when we are in battle, even when we’re wounded, how we will get back up and say, “I love You, Father. Thank You for loving me so much. I belong to You.” What a wonderful God we serve. Amen.

In Luke 12:32, Jesus says: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. I know there is so very much that we don’t understand, but the more we fellowship with God, the greater our understanding will be. Everything we need, He has already provided, and really, Jesus tells us what to do in Luke 12:31: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. God has provided healings, finances—whatever we need, He has done it for us because He loves us. God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are there for us.

So many people are tired, scared, and uncertain of the future. Satan has relentlessly attacked them so hard that they’ve become weary.

I understand this. It is why we need to pursue and trust what God can do.

I want to encourage you to trust how much our Father loves you. Galatians 6:9 says: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Glory to God! Let’s determine in our hearts that we will reap the benefits of God.

I believe 2017 will be a year of many victories. First Peter 3:12 says: For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. We should also remember what Romans 8:37-39 says:

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praise God!!

In His love,

Donner Roberson