New Creatures in Christ - recycled

This post is being recycled from its original posting on 12/30/2010...and the message is still the same today...some excellent points to ponder as we prepare for the closing of one year and the beginning of the new.

This Nativity Ornament has been a part of my parent's Christmas tree ever since I can remember.

II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

As I reflect back on this past year and all of its important events in my life, I can't help but think that through all of its trials and tribulations, old frustrations and new beginnings , closed doors and open windows, losses and gains...that God has been busily re-creating, molding and shaping and refining me into the "new creation" He desires me to become.  Every aggravation, new challenge, defeat, and victory are all a part of that bigger picture...the grand scheme...the masterpiece that God is creating in my life.

Looking ahead into the New Year I can't help but wonder what joys and travails are awaiting my discovery...but I can only move forward with faith, trusting in the same God Who brought me through this past year...the God Who never changes...He is the same, Yesterday-Today-and Forever...

In the words of an old A.B. Simpson hymn:

"Oh, how sweet the glorious message simple faith may claim; Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same. Still He loves to save the sinful, heal the sick and lame, cheer the mourner, still the tempest-Glory to His name!"

"Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same; All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name!"

"For I am the Lord, I do not change..." Malachi 3:6


We can trust fully in this God, Jesus Christ, that little baby Who was born in a manger...Who came to save us and set us free from all our sins and shame...He is still working in our lives today just as He did when He walked upon this earth... and He is preparing us for His soon return...of that I am certain. 
 
Dear friend, are you ready to meet Jesus face to face?  Do you know this Saviour Who is working behind the scenes of your life, re-creating you into the beautiful image of Himself?  Perhaps this New Year will be full of life-changing events in all of our lives.  My prayer is that we will face each new challenge full of faith and trust in our life-changing God.  May it be a year of truly becoming a "New Creation" in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

A New Dawn...A New Beginning...



Sunrise on a new beginning

 Ecclesiastes 11:7 "Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun..."

This morning I beheld the sun rise on the ocean...one of my most favorite things to do...Not only for its beauty and magnificence...which is beyond description...but for its promise...

"Promise of what?" you may ask.  Promise of re-creation...a new day...a new beginning...a fresh start...
   Promise of redemption...of hope...of forgiveness...of renewal...of salvation...
       Promise of a future...fulfillment... life everlasting...joy...peace... love...eternity

"All of this you see in the sunrise?"   Yes, all of this...and much much more.  Every day the sun rises on this earth...every day we have a new opportunity to live, to laugh, to love...to give life, to give laughter, to give love...to offer hope, forgiveness and salvation...every day that we have life...we have all this and more.

Today I beheld the sun rise on my life...and I felt the SON rise in my heart.  For it is the SON Who rises within my soul Who gives this hope, forgiveness, love, peace, joy, fulfillment, a future, redemption and salvation...it is the SON Who enables me to laugh, to receive and offer hope, to dream and see dreams come true, to forgive and be forgiven...without the SON in my life I would be hopeless, loveless, joyless...and lost.

Yes, today I beheld both the SUN rise and the SON rise on the dawning of a new day...and I have hope.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.  Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.  Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat."  Psalm 19:1-6

"O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!"  Psalm 8:1 

"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 Amen.