"Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth." -Isaiah 4: 18 (NKJV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail." -Job 14:7 (NIV)
"Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." Colossians 3:10 (NLT)
Our God sure does love to make things new! Everyday, a new child is born, a beautiful new sun rises, and each twenty-four hours, we have a fresh start. Even in death, God brings about newness, as Believers receive a new home and new body.
As we embark into this new year and we are bombarded with a snow storm, I am reminded of God's newness. Each winter, He wipes the slate clean by bringing frost and snow, in order for flowers and trees to have a new life each Spring! Although this snow brings us inside and depresses some of us, we must remember that it is needed to create a newness this Spring. :-)
And as I've had time to reflect today, I realize that God gives me a newness each twenty-four hours. Every day, I have the opportunity to wipe my slate clean, forgetting the issues of yesterday and looking forward with anticipation and hope. I can choose to forgive the people who have hurt me, repent of my sins from the day, and passionately look forward to all that God provides me in the new day ahead.
Let us all look forward to the year ahead of us with anticipation, seeking Christ fervently! Let us all wake up each morning with a freshness that only God can provide, allowing Him to shape each day. Let us press on to reach the end of the race, as Paul writes in Philippians...
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." -Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
Our God sure does love to make things new! Everyday, a new child is born, a beautiful new sun rises, and each twenty-four hours, we have a fresh start. Even in death, God brings about newness, as Believers receive a new home and new body.
As we embark into this new year and we are bombarded with a snow storm, I am reminded of God's newness. Each winter, He wipes the slate clean by bringing frost and snow, in order for flowers and trees to have a new life each Spring! Although this snow brings us inside and depresses some of us, we must remember that it is needed to create a newness this Spring. :-)
And as I've had time to reflect today, I realize that God gives me a newness each twenty-four hours. Every day, I have the opportunity to wipe my slate clean, forgetting the issues of yesterday and looking forward with anticipation and hope. I can choose to forgive the people who have hurt me, repent of my sins from the day, and passionately look forward to all that God provides me in the new day ahead.
Let us all look forward to the year ahead of us with anticipation, seeking Christ fervently! Let us all wake up each morning with a freshness that only God can provide, allowing Him to shape each day. Let us press on to reach the end of the race, as Paul writes in Philippians...
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." -Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
