Today is the first day of the new year! I always come to this day with a sense of hope and expectation…because it is a whole year filled with possibilities and opportunities! I get that it is just the day after December 31st, but there is that optimistic anticipation that comes with a new birthday, a new Christmas and everything else that comes with our years. There is a feeling that we all have a fresh start. But you can just look at it as another day, week or month that we are going to travel through. But what if there could really be an opportunity for something brand new? I just finished reading the last book of the Bible, Revelation, and at just about the end of that book and the entire Bible, there is the promise that some day God will make everything new. That there will be no more tears, no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. That those things will be gone forever. It really is speaking to the end of the human experience as we know it, but I like to think that God gives us a chance each year to not only experience the “new” but to be the “new” ourselves. The Bible says that those who are in Christ have become a new creation…that the old is gone and there is a whole new world opened up to us. That’s the change that this Jesus of the Bible makes in those who are willing to trust him for forgiveness and follow him through the days before us. This year won’t be perfect, and you and I may have to travel through some tough times. But this God of the Bible says that if we will give our hearts and allegiance to him, that he will guide us and empower us through all the ups and downs of this new year. So, give God a chance this year. When you turn that calendar over to the new year, why not give God a chance to love you fully and to be both your Savior and Lord each day. And when you get fearful or beaten down remember that he tells us that when we are afraid, we just need to trust him for today and tomorrow and for all the days of this year. And no matter what happens, we will never have to do this alone and we will always be loved and cherished by this God who showed his love on a cross two millennium ago, just so we could be forgiven of our sins and then have him stand with us each day we journey through the year ahead with hope and faith and kindness and love. Join him and look forward to a Happy New Year. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Revelation 21:3-5 NLT I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. (4) He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (5) And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
Revelation 21:3-5 NLT I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. (4) He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (5) And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ