2024-2025
This is a popular Scripture at this time of year: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you nor know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Or: “Therefore, if any one is in CHRIST he is a New Creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of GOD, Who has Reconciled us to Himself through JESUS CHRIST, and has given us the Ministry of Reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
Or: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for CHRIST. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the Excellence of The Knowledge of CHRST JESUS my LORD, for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count these as rubbish, that I may gain CHRIST.” (Philippians 3:7-8)
What do these mean in regard to a new year? Nothing more than at any time of year!
Isaiah 43:18-19: this passage is clearly speaking to Israel about their return after their exile in Babylon. But it also speaks to all of creation about GOD’s plan of Salvation for the human race. As those created in His image and likeness this whole chapter speaks to us of GOD’s Love and Salvation. Specifically verse 19, “Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you nor know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” GOD as man living a sinless life is a new thing, and it was not only proclaimed in prophesy beforehand, it has also been proclaimed to all the world for 2000 years. The road in the wilderness is the “Way” the difficult way and narrow gate (Matthew 713-14; John 14:6) Rivers in the desert is The HOLY SPIRIT – The River that flows from our soul (John 7:37-39).
2 Corinthians 5:17-18: this is the beginning of our New Life in CHRIST JESUS when we are Born Again (John 1:10-13, 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:22-25) We are dead in baptism and raised in New Life (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 19:1-7; Romans 6:1-14; Colossians 2:11-14).
Philippians 3:7-8: here Paul is talking about the cost of obeying GOD, JESUS said that we have to give up everything to serve Him (Mark 8:34-38). JESUS told us that we have to abide in Him the question is how? John 8:28-32 was a public statement, John 15:4-8 was a private statement to the twelve, these two statements answer the question “We have left all for You, what is our reward?” (Mark 10:28-31).
Matthew 6:33 We “Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His
Righteousness! And all our daily needs will be met.” Do we?
Matthew 5:6 :Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
Righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
JESUS said He came to serve not be served. Matthew 20:27-28 “And
whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as The Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His Life a Ransom
for many.”
JESUS said He only did what the Father told Him to do.
Matthew 10:16-17 “Behold! I send you out as sheep in the
midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Be aware
of men for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues”
John 20:21
These things are hard, we are busy, we have to earn income to support our families, we have to take care of our homes and autos, etc., we have family obligations, and we have Christian obligations.
So where do we find the time to serve GOD?
So we see that it is not just at the start of the year that we must take inventory of our life, we must do it daily if we are to serve GOD as He Called us too.
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