Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20
Well, the New Year is upon us. 2019 has started. One of the things I like about the beginning of a new year is the opportunity it gives us to bring renewal, change, and transformation to some things in our life. It’s a time to remind myself to restart my phone, restart my computers, restart the copy machine, and change the filter in my Keurig coffee machine. I often forget to do those things even though it’s recommended.
The beginning of a new year is also a reminder that our God is a God of new things, new starts, and new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” There are also many other references in scripture that remind us that God is about making old things new. Isaiah 43:18-19, Isaiah 65:17, Ephesians 2:15, and Revelation 21:5 are just some of those.
So the question as we begin this new year is… What do you want or need to renew, restart, or reboot in your life? When I ask that question I am not asking about your phone, computer, or other things. I’m asking what you would like to change in your life this year: Your spiritual life, your family life, your marriage, your work life, your church life, or any other area.
Jesus can and will help you make those changes if you will call on him to help. The old regrettable things of 2018 can be made into the new transforming things of 2019. The best part of being a follower of Jesus Christ is that he will help you with this. He will forgive you for those times you failed, and encourage you to leave them in the past. It’s time to embrace the message of Jesus, “The old has gone, the new is here!”
Make it Personal: Take time to look up the other verses above and learn more about this new change the Bible speaks of. Yes, it’s important to restart all of those devices. But it’s most important to give your life a renewed outlook and a fresh beginning in this new year.
Happy New Year Everyone, Pastor Glen Rhodes
