New Beginnings

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2014! 

 I've always loved this time of year - reflecting on the previous 12 months and looking ahead to what the next year may bring. It's like starting out with a clean slate - a blank canvas of opportunity. I think the Holy Spirit uses this time to remind us that we have a God of new beginnings - One who forgives us and lets us start fresh and new! And not just once a year, but every day and even multiple times a day, if necessary! 

 Paul tells us that, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) Sounds like how we approach each new year, does it not? We must remember that, as Christians, we are that new creation. At the dawning of a new year it is a good time to think and pray about what God wants to do with us, in us and through us. What is it that, through our obedience to Him, God wants to do this coming year? 

 While some reflecting on the past to help with this is good, we must make sure we don't camp there too long. The Lord said to Isaiah, "Forget the former things: Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:18-19) What's done is done. There's no going back and changing things. Focus on what God is doing now! Focus on what your part in that may be.

So... Have you thought about what you're going to do with the next twelve months? Have you taken some time to pray and look for that "new thing" that God may be doing? I want to encourage you to do so. And as part of that to walk more closely with God and take your obedience to Him to an entirely new level. He is doing a new thing. He does have a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11). As the Psalmist says, "Sing to Him a new song: play skillfully and shout for joy." (Psalm 33:3) My prayer for you is that your 2014 be a year full of shouts for joy!
Side-note: Thank you for reading and supporting this endeavor of mine over the last six months or so. One of my goals this year is to focus more on my writing and this blog is an integral part of that. I aim to update it more often and with more and varied types of posts: short, brief ones, longer ones, guest posts, and so forth. Thank you again and God Bless You in 2014! 
Location: Milton, GA, USA

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