Fresh
Clean
New
Beginning
Fresh snow covered the landscape and graced
the tree branches with a drape of white-
God’s invitation to start anew!
As I peered out at the new, fallen snow, I was in awe of the pure, white landscape. Stretched out before me was an untouched blank slate. A beginning waiting patiently for the start of something new. A fresh canvas begging for a creative touch, a broad stroke or a word to mark its conception.
Upon further reflection and an inquiry into the word “new” in the Bible – limitless possibilities flooded the screen of my Bible App. The recurring theme shared from God’s Word was “being made new”, “a clean heart”, “new beginnings” and the list continued from there. The start of a New Year causes us to pause, reflect, regroup and renew as we create something new in our life story or tweak what has already been put into place. For me, God is working hard to teach me His ways but also to hold His promises in my heart, know them as truth and honor Him in all I do. It sounds like a monumental task but with God all things are possible. God’s promises ring true and clear, if we just listen and hold onto His truths.
In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises the Israelites a new heart for following Him. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Listen for the whisper of God’s promises!
“22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
Other versions of Ephesians portray newness in Christ as:
“Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new nature, created in God’s image” – AMP
“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person”. CEV
“You must get rid of your old way of life… you were taught to start living a new life.” NIRV
God is ready for us! Are we ready for Him? Can we let Him fill our slates with His goodness?
Continue to listen and this is what you may hear:
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
I can hear the truths, I can feel God pull me closer to Him, I can let Him do His work in me!
And even when we fail miserably, God tugs on our arm, pulls us close and reminds of this-
just this
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
God’s promises are tangible and obtainable! He will create our slates into goodness and we will reflect His image. Say “yes” this year!
As we continue into 2014, let us all renew and restore the promises of our Savior in our lives. Let Him be in charge of the canvas and continue to write our stories. May we honor Him, His Word, His truth and share His message with those people we interact with daily.
Blessings to all!
Mary
Blessed to be linking with:
Beautiful post! I love that God gives us each a blank slate! And I love that with God, not only is the new year a new start, but each and every morning. I wrote a post about it last year here: http://www.whatsonmymindgrapes.com/2013/01/01/fresh-new-starts/
Happy New Year! 🙂 And thanks for blessing me with these beautiful words!
Thank you for stopping by and for my unusually slow response time. Your encouragement is a blessing to me. Hope that January finds you somewhere warm and away from the frigid temperatures I have been experiencing. Blessings!
I always look forward to reading your posts and have NEVER been disappointed. They all speak to my heart! God is working thru you Mary. You have been chosen to be one of His messengers. I am humbled to be growing in grace with you!
Karen S.