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A GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS

A new year has finally arrived. And the old is passed away. Jesus said the things on this earth are temporal. They pass away. Only God’s Word is eternal. They will never pass. This Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. So crave for the things of above that are eternal rather than spend your time after the things of this world that passeth away.

As we look into the past year, each of us is of different opinions. For some it was a good year, for others it could have been better. Yet for others it was a year that they want to forget. When we look into this world we see an increase in violence. Terrorism is on the rise. Deception is in the air. All over we see new schemes are plotted to dig a hole for the other human. That’s the spirit of this world, the spirit of the Devil. (John 10:10) Jesus said that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but I have come to give you abundant life. When we look forward into this New Year we see a ray of hope, a ray of sunshine towards better things.

We see a rainbow in the sky after a heavy storm. This is that which is put into us by God. It is His heart. A heart to give us hope. A heart longing for new beginnings. Thereby we all want to start afresh. New resolutions for this New Year. Like to look ahead for a bright future when looking into the new year with a new light.

Let’s look at what are some of the new things God is a God of...

1. A new Creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17- In Christ we are a new creation. Old things have passed away behold all things are become new. God wants to wipe our slate clean by the provision made by His Son –His shed blood. Let’s cling on to this life giving source of life for He alone can make things new.

2. A new commandment of love: John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new Commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must love one another. So the world will know we are his disciples. God is love. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Those who are in Christ from their inner beings will flow fountains of living water. A fresh spring flows from the inner man. So how can we love one another? Only by faith .Only by being filled with the Spirit. By dying to the flesh for the flesh is always at war with the spirit. Many a times we are incapable to love is because even though the flesh is willing the Spirit within is weak. The only way to be strengthened in the spirit is by abiding in the vine –Christ. When we get his fresh supply of sap as branches i.e. a constant fresh supply of God’s love can we fulfill the above commandment?

3. A new out pouring of mercy: Lamentations 3: 23 His mercies are new every morning. Psalms 89:14 Mercy and truth surrounds his throne. By his mercies we are not consumed. For his mercy, his unfailing love will last forever. Such great mercy and love is poured out from above to the sons of man that the angels of heaven are even dumbfounded saying What is Man Lord that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him and gavest to them authority over all His vast creation.

4. A new heart: I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out the stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. (Ezekiel 37:26) What more do we want .If we are willing God will give us both the desire and a heart to do his good will. For it is God who started his work in you. He chose sinful vessels like us to show forth his praise and glory for we are the extension of his Kingdom on this earth.

5. A new level of Prosperity: Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful not standeth in the way of the wicked for he will be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters that bringeth forth its fruit in its season, whatsoever he doeth he shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1, 3) In Deuteronomy 28:1-6 God lays out the principle of prosperity. A man who keeps the laws and commandments of God with all his heart, mind and soul will experience prosperity in emotional life, physical, financial, spiritual realms. This is God’s way of a prosperous life.

6. New strength from above: Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like Eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). When devil comes in with adversity and calamity, if our focus is not on God rather on our circumstances we can be weary and tired. That why Isaiah says in 40:30 even youths will become exhausted and young men will give up .Instead when we focus on God, He promises power to those who are tired and worn out, he offers strength to the weak. (Isaiah 40:29).Strength and honor comes only from the Lord. The battle is the Lords and the victory is ours. God will give us the victory but it’s in his way only for He said that He is the only way, truth and life. And that way is “not by might, not by power, but by His spirit only.”(Zechariah 4:6).

7. Fresh Joy from the Lord: The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the lord. (Isaiah 20:19) Like other graces Joy only comes from the Lord. For in his presence is fullness of Joy. Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit. That’s why Paul writes rejoice always. Be filled with the Spirit. The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

8. Abundance of peace: Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them. God will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him. Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Jesus said all those who are heavy laden, go to him for he will give them rest to their souls for his burdens are light and his yoke is easy to bear. What a wonderful Saviour.

9. Greater level of Wisdom: Solomon says in Proverbs that wisdom is the principle thing. Only fools despise wisdom and understanding.--the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and Knowledge of the Holy One is Understanding.
(Proverbs 9:10)

Proverbs 8:12-21 says that I wisdom, live together with good judgment. Good advice and success belongs to me. Insight and strength are mine. Unending riches, honor, wealth, justice are mine to distribute. Those who love me will inherit wealth, for I fill their treasures. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth and the truth will set us free.

10. An abundant life: John 10:10 Jesus said that I have come to give you abundant life. For Jesus is life and truth himself. In Him is life and that life is the light of man. Whenever God shows up things appear brighter and lovelier. He quenches all the works of darkness from our lives. When the Spirit of the Lord hovered over the dark he brought creation into existence. Likewise the Word of God is like a two edged sword dividing asunder the soul and spirit, thoughts and imaginations of our heart. Let’s love God and live and live it abundantly.

So, in this New Year let us truly repent for the old wrongs and ask God to fill us with the new things he wants to do in our lives that His name alone will be glorified. For we are His handiwork created in Christ Jesus for the proclamation of his kingdom here on this earth for the kingdomof God is within us. Have a blessed New Year.

By. Sis.Betsy George.

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