As the number changes the year, what will it take to make a change in you, a change in me, to make us all brand new?
In my seeking the definition that man has declared for the word “new”; there is one that captured my eye, it is as follows “to discover recently or now for the first time”. New. As in a pair of shoes, a dress, a coat, a piece of jewelry, a scripture, a word from God, a revelation, an incredible praise, a spiritual encounter. New.
We’re familiar with material newness. Explore with me spiritual newness for a minute…just allow yourself to go with me…we won’t be long…
2 Corinthian 5:17 says this about being new “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.”
Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (I didn’t deserve it, I’m really not worth it, but because He’s good, I receive it!)
Isaiah 43: 18-19 says “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; new it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” I believe that God has healed me just where I am. I know that he lives in my heart. I know that he is mighty and strong. I know that he can do all things. I know that he reigns.
There is but one who can make all things new. He is the one who has the power and authority to rebuild, reconstruct, and restore you and me. As we embark on this New Year, let us focus on the meaning of newness, what it truly means to be new.
Newness of life can only be found in Jesus Christ. We can make many resolutions for a new year: to lose weight, to spend more time with family, to save more money, to be more patient, loving and kind, to have a more powerful prayer life. All of these are good. However, until we experience a new day, a new moment in the life of Christ, the resolutions for the year will be to no avail. You see, God is our source, our strength to accomplish each and every minute factor in our lives. We can do nothing without him. Our resources can only be found in him. Again, we can succeed in nothing without the mercy, grace and love of God on our side.
Are you there?
Newness in Christ means that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It means that daily you live in the fact that he was born, lived and died here on earth. More importantly, you believe that the story does not end there, you believe that as he gave up his life, he did so taking on the burden of your sins. He, then three days later, rose from the dead into eternal life with all power and authority in his hands. It was his love gift to man.
Newness in Christ means that daily you have accepted the fact that he must be first in all things, for in doing so, in being obedient to his word, he has a blessing just waiting for you with your name on it. Your faith speaks life to all things from God to you. Your newness is founded in your faith that you are loved by God with a love that will never change nor fail. There’s nothing in heaven or earth that can separate you from the love of God. You now live in the reality that you are redeemed and forgiven for all your sins. Ephesians 1:7 says “In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” You must now forgive yourself. You must forgive yourself so that you will no longer be oppressed by the voice of the enemy. He no longer has authority over you for you now live for Christ, The Most High. You are now called to rejoice in the Lord not to continue to walk in condemnation.
Newness means that daily you live in the promises and the plan of God for your life. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says “All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ.” I implore you to dry your tears, for in Christ, everything is already alright. We must wait on its manifestation in our life. God thought that we were worth it all so that we could be free. We are now free to seek God for the answers, the solutions to all our questions. They can and will only be found in him.
My sister and my brother encourage yourself in the word of God: Jeremiah 29: 11-14 holds your promises of newness in Jesus…from the words of the Old Testament prophet there’s a word of newness in our commitment and faith in the Lord. Holy Spirit create in me a clean heart…as the people of God were led out of captivity into a new relationship, a new life with the Lord…as we celebrate under the authority of the Holy Spirit, no longer bound under the law but receiving the grace and mercy of the Lord…”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…(You have got to know God for yourself)…”plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Hello 2020. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (There’s a praise raising in my spirit. What makes you doubt the Lord? Have you tried him for yourself? He’s good. He’s proven himself to be faithful. I can never doubt him. Call on the Lord and seek his face. Oh, how great is our God. He’s mighty and wonderful in all things. He’s just waiting to hear from you.) “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Hallelujah somebody, everybody!) “I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” (Thank you Jesus for the healing, the deliverance, the break through, for being my strong tower. Here God promises to bring me, in spite of things, back unto him.) “I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, “declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” God’s word for God’s people.
Newness means that we realize that we are important to God. He needs us as we need him. We need to know then that we should not spend our time here hungering after the things of this world. Our purpose in life is solely to be a living testimony of the goodness of God. Our purpose lies in being clothed in the righteousness of God. Our purpose lies in being called friend. It was ever so recently that I failed to be patient. I failed to be called friendly but because my hope lies in Jesus, I have another chance. As I desire to be called friend by God my deeper desire is to be called friend by my fellow sister and brother as we walk as one and to be a friend in Jesus name as I spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As I close in prayer…as I walk in newness… Jesus keep your hand upon me. Sweet Jesus of peace guard my heart, my mind, my tongue, and my emotions. I pray for increase, not for material things but increase in you. Oh Lord, bless me indeed! Great is your mercy. Oh Lord, bless me indeed! Help me Jesus to turn the more away from those things, people and places that may serve to hinder me in my walk with you. Remove the scales from my eyes that I may see more clearly that which lies before me. Father, I thank you once again for the loving kindness that you show me. I have called on you and you have been faithful, Jesus. You have moved me from bondage to victory. You have given me more that I could ever thank you for. You have extended your hand in a special way in my life. Jesus, I thank you.
Lord, as the New Year dawns, I pray that you shower down on us, breathe on us, Jesus that we may be pleasing in your sight. As we journey Lord, be with us for it is in you that we find our new beginnings. Amen.
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