1Peter 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...
First of all, praise God for who He is, what He has done, what He is able to do and what He can do for those who seek Him. Praise Him that He gives us another chance at life. Each day is new, each year is new, each life in Christ is new.
No matter what this past year has tossed in your path, whether it was a good year, a great year or one of difficulty, God has a new year springing up. It could be better, it might be worse. It's our choice how we will live it out.
I received a notice from an acquaintance on her Caringbridge site. She was diagnosed last year with breast cancer. She has undergone all the chemotherapy treatments and is about to start discussion about the mastectomy end of her illness. She has maintained a positive attitude throughout. A definite example of how an uplifted spirit, I believe, can help the healing process, how attitude sometimes is everything. I don't know her spiritual condition but I do believe she has some faith in a God who can carry us through life's issues.
I mentioned yesterday how complaining keeps us in bondage. Change the complaint into praise, keep looking at the good things amidst the bad, being thankful for those good things and you have a good chance of healing and being set free of illness, if it's no more than just the reliance and knowledge that if your life should end you'll be with the Lord. "A merry heart does a body good." This is a great lesson for all of life....yes, Lord, it's noted!
A woman I briefly knew was diagnosed and ultimately died of cancer and she looked forward to her being with Jesus sooner than expected. What a wonderful attitude! Despite knowing her life was being cut short, she was about as content as possible in her situation. She looked forward to that even newer life with Christ, one without pain or sickness. A life received when we receive Him.
What a great way to view this new year we are about to step into. (As for my husband and me, probably sleep into is more like it!) Perhaps having a better outlook despite what might occur would be a step in the right direction.
Of course there's an even better step to take, that of getting to know our God better. Letting Him be the joy in our daily lives, the Light that shines in our darkness, the strength in our times of weakness, our refuge in times of trouble, the Door to a better world, our living hope.
This new year can change you into a new person. You can receive the new birth and be one one step closer to having a new outlook on (eternal) life. God knows the plans He has for us. They are for good and not disaster. They can present us with a new future and new hope (Jeremiah 29:11). With a new year and all the resolutions people tend to make, why not add a new year, new birth and new you to that list? Make it the first thing on the list. Let your plans go by the wayside and let those great plans God has be the focal point.
It's all about renewal of life. A life built around Christ is stronger, more peaceful, joyful and filled with hope. In the end you don't need to wait for a new year because each day brings something special. God's mercies are new every morning, Lamentations 3:23 tells us.
Receive Christ. Do you need a new change? Do you want a fresh, bold, new look at life? Do you want a heavy heart made light? Look at all the new things He will do for you. This list below sounds like wonderfully positive, encouraging things, don't you think?
He will put a new spirit in you...Ezekiel 11:19
God will do a new thing and make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert...Isaiah 43:19
The LORD will give you a new name...Isaiah 62:2
He will put a new song in your mouth...Psalm 40:3
Former things are gone, new things spring forth...Isaiah 42:9
He will give you a new heart...Ezekiel 18:31
He is a new doctrine...Acts 17:19
He is a new covenant...Hebrews 8:13
He is THE new and living way...Hebrews 10:20
He brings us a new heaven and a new earth...2Peter 3:13
He makes ALL things new...Revelation 21:5
He allows us through all He's done to sing to Him a new song...Psalm 33:3
A new life in Christ. Ask anyone who has received it what transpired. They will be glad to offer feedback! He is the hope in difficult times. He's the song in your heart. Jesus makes the things in the world seem less important. He is the light at the end of any tunnel. He is our portion forever. Make Him a new year's resolution.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ... in Christ, the Lord.
2Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
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