The old has passed away, behold the new has come… 2 Corinthians 5:17
Hey Girls!
Happy New Year! It’s time to turn the page and look ahead to the unfolding of a New Year! I’m ready to embrace the new – aren’t you? I’m ready for the past year to be behind me and expectantly look ahead to new things the Lord wants to do. This is the time of year when many people make New Year’s resolutions. Is this something you like to do? Most of us can look back and see areas we would like to change or improve in the coming year. Some resolve to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, spend quality time with family, improve relationships, read through the Bible, and on and on the list of resolutions go. Each of us desires a better, brighter future, full of hope for a changed life. So often, our resolutions are hard to maintain and nothing changes. We soon forget our goals and discouragement can set in. Maybe that’s why I don’t usually make any new year’s resolutions…
I was reminded of the reality of this verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17. … if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new.” What an amazing resolution our God has made to us! Think of it… He has made us brand new! The old life is gone, a new life has begun! That’s an amazing transformation that has ALREADY taken place in each of our lives if we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Aren’t you thankful for the promise of a clean slate and the reality of a changed life because of Jesus? There was a time in my life when I was consumed with regret and shame over my past. I could not get rid of the old - no matter what I did. It would play out in my mind over and over again. But when I received Jesus’ forgiveness and put my faith in Him – He cleansed my conscious! I let it go. He set me free from my past and gave me a NEW identity in Him! Do you have a story like that? I know you do...
And Jesus is in the process of making ALL things new in each of our lives and He’s transforming us to look more and more like Jesus. God’s commitment and resolution is to make us look like Him and walk in newness of life; Romans 6:4. He’s resolved to show us new things; Isaiah 43:19, and to give us a new heart; Ez. 36:26. Someday… REAL soon, Jesus is coming again. He’s going to make a new heaven and a new earth. He’s going to give us a new name! I can’t wait for Him to fulfill these resolutions. So, look up. Be filled with hope. The things we see now on the earth will pass away. Yay! All things will become new. God’s New Year resolutions will all come to pass…
Blessings to you, Karen