Publication Date: 12/30/2017
Author: Lisa Jones
Let the new beginnings in the Bible inspire us to expect new beginning in our life as we begin the New Year!
Happy New Year! As I ponder new beginnings, I cannot help but to think of the last minute to the greatest of new beginnings. Each second that passes, allows for the beginning of a new place in time. Yes, even something as quick as a second or our next breath is worth giving God praise. Particularly during this time of year, there are many who have not nor will not experience being aware of their next second or more sadly, their next breath.
But God, He is faithful. His operating systems are set up for new. In Genesis, the evening and the morning were considered a full day. And according to our current calendar, we have 365 to 366 new full days per calendar year. What a blessing it is to experience God’s fresh renewal each second, each minute, each hour, each day, each week, each month and each year. The Word of God reminds us that, “[It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:22-23, KJV)
I always start my mornings reminding God of His faithful promise of His mercies and of His new compassions that never fail because they are new each and every day. New beginnings are always present with us, if we would only take a moment to appreciate them in its finest form. Whether we are beginning anew from a tragic situation, as many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have after the hurricanes and storms of 2017, or whether we are moving to a new neighborhood or taking on new job assignments; new beginnings are a way of life.
Our very lives as Christians, is a new life with so many new beginnings. God’s word says, “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Co. 5:17, KJV. ) I love the word “All” in this passage because it is so complete and it mean just what it says, “All things” are new. Our walk is new because we walk after the manner of God’s leading. Our talk is new as we begin to say what God says. Our family is new because we have been adopted as dear children and we share the blood of His Son, Christ Jesus, that connects us as new brothers and sisters.
As we enter into a new year, we are so hopeful of all the new possibilities for a fresh start, a new beginning. A new year provides an opportunity to press “restart” without feelings of failure and missed opportunities from the prior year. Although I do not make New Year’s Resolutions at the beginning of each new year, I do look forward to being recharged, rejuvenated and reenergized to allow God to finish the work He began in me. I look forward to what each new day will bring. I do so with great expectation. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Phl 1:6 NLT)
We have so many examples of new beginnings throughout the word of God, but the greatest is the example of Jesus. Although the word of God teaches us that Jesus always existed, he did not always exist as a man on earth. When I think about the sacrifice of God to send His only begotten Son to earth to pay the penalty for my transgressions, I cannot help but to be thankful for the new beginnings I have each day. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jhn 3:16 KJV)
There is no greater love and example of new beginnings than that of Jesus. “No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] that to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.” (Jhn 15:13, AMPC) Jesus did that for all who would receive him as Savior and Lord. He laid down his life so that we would have the right to our new life and inheritance to God’s love, God’s promises, God’s grace and God’s compassions each and every second of our new lives in Him. In other words, New Beginnings.
Therefore my brothers and sisters, let each of us approach each new day and this new year, fully trusting God to revive us, to fill us, to release us from our past and to embrace the future He has for us. This is a time of refreshing. This is the time of renewal. This is our hour of rejuvenation. Therefore, “Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him….” (Heb 10:22, NLT) We will then experience New Beginnings, each day as we live out our purpose in full trust and assurance that God is in control and we will rest in His peace that is beyond understanding. “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phl 4:7, NLT)
Lisa Jones is “Your Chief Empowerment Officer,” Encouraging, Inspiring and Enriching lives-Externally, Internally and Eternally! She is a businesswoman, minister and founder of Peace Beyond Understanding Ministries. In addition to being a devoted mother, she is dedicated to fufilling her purpose. Every week she ministers to women in prison, providing them with powerful word of encouragement. She is a member of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, Michigan.
Published by Prayer and Praise Magazine Editor and Publisher Sheila Thomas |