Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb. 13:8        One of the most precious gifts of life is a friend whom one can trust. God in His love has given us such a friend to walk with us into the new year. Our God is not far away. He is very near. He has come to find us where we are and to walk with us along life's road.      We would be saddened, indeed, if we thought that such a great and good Friend would want to mingle only with people as good as Himself. But when we see Him find a Matthew and call him to be His disciple; when we see Him sitting and eating with people who had nothing to offer Him; when we hear Him say that He has come to call sinners to Himself, then we know that He is likewise a Friend for us. We have nothing to give Him. But it is a strange and wonderful truth of our faith that the poor are filled with good things and those who think they are rich are sent away empty.      Jesus Christ is this Friend who walks the road of life with us. He comes with us into this new year. The way is not strange to Him. He has been this way before and knows every danger spot. The Savior who walks with us is the same living Savior of all our yesterdays, of all our tomorrows, but above all of today. He is not only a memory, not only a hope, but a living, Savior Friend along life's way.      Christian friends, Praise God that His Word and His love are perfect and unchanging. And praise Him too that in His love He is working to change me.  I need to take this time to thank everyone of you for being a friend to me this past year.  I have received so many lovely emails of encouragment to keep the devotions going. Many of you have sent lovely backgrounds to use and pictures to insert. Some of you I have never met but feel your friendship through your letters.  I have tried to honor your prayer requests and hope you will continue to send them.  If you have not sent me your birthday and anniversary dates please do so.May God continue to be with each and every one of you in this new year.  Many of you have had trouble getting to my web site for past devotions.  I will try and have the new blog web site for you soon.   Great is  Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - In a world of constant change, you can trust the unchanging Christ. Click on the links below that will show my thanks for your friendship.   http://www.spiritisup.com/friendsbeblessednewyearlh.html http://www.spiritisup.com/happynewyeardearfrienddm.html