Sunday, January 1, 2017

Sunday 1-1  Pastor Doug Marshall

"Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life has gone; a new life burgeons!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (The Message)

New Year's Day! This is when many people make resolutions to start something new--a new diet, reading the Bible, exercising more, etc. In my experience, most New Year's Resolutions don't work. The YMCA I go to is always overflowing with people during the month of January. 

In February the crowds start to fade. By April it's back to the same old routine.    

The good news of Jesus is that every day is an opportunity to start something new. It is also good news that becoming new is not primarily something we need to work hard at doing. It is the work of Christ within us. It is not our efforts that lead to change. Jesus is the one who makes us new. Our job is to turn to Jesus, to seek His love so freely given, to ask for His grace to make a change, to invite Him to work His strength into our lives.

If you long to be transformed into something new and to become the person God wants you to be, I encourage you to turn your heart and your mind, your whole life, to Jesus. That could start by simply saying thank you every day for Jesus' loving presence. That might include reading Jesus' word (the Bible) for five minutes a day. It would include joining all God's people every week for worship. Remember Jesus' wonderful promise: "I am making everything new!" (Revelation 21:5) 

Prayer

Jesus, I know that my life is not all it should be. It falls short of what I would like and what you want for me. Thank you for the chance to start my life anew. Help me to turn to you. Fill me with your grace and peace that I might be made new and live for your glory. Amen

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