2 Corinthians 5:16-21
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
A fresh start never loses its appeal. It's hard to resist a "do-over" if given a chance. Golfers call it a mulligan: Let me do that shot over...I know I made a mistake on the last shot. In life those mistakes can be very serious or just little annoyances that get in our way. A fresh start would be great to have.
I was in Florida Hospital’s waiting room recently when over the PA I heard a baby’s lullaby being played. Forty minutes later, all of us in room heard it again and smiled. Again two hours later, the lullaby. We all smiled realizing a new baby was born at the hospital. Ahh, a new fresh start enters the world.
Because of Jesus birth, death, and resurrection, Jesus tells us we can start over, we can find peace, we can ease our conscience once and for all . We can have a fresh start.
Beautiful DragonFly
by DesignsStainedGlass
by DesignsStainedGlass
Faith in Jesus and what He teaches guarantees we can be forgiven for all the sins we’ve committed in our lives, and if you are like the rest of us, that’s too many sins to count. Yet even with all of our sinful baggage, we can have a fresh start.
We are reminded of that fresh start possibility at Jesus’ birth, at Easter, every Sunday in our liturgy, and every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper. Another fresh start.
Once we embark on our journey of fresh starts given by Christ, what’s next? How do we proceed? Look at what Mary said in Luke 1:38: And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Mary heard God’s message, became obedient to it, and through her our fresh start came to earth. We see a good example here. Hear God’s word, become obedient to His will, and 2011 will be a new beginning.
Let's close with prayer.
Heavenly Father,
As we start a new Year, enable us to act according to your will in thanks for the new life we have in Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen
See you next Monday, Monika
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myeuropeantouch
See you next Monday, Monika
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myeuropeantouch
12:25 AM |
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Comments (10)
Monika - this is a wonderful post and a wonderful reminder of new beginnings.
I wish my daughter,Jodi, could believe that.
♥♥♥
Sue
These are beautiful crafts here! Good luck to all!
Wonderful!!! Thank goodness He is a loving God!!!
Praise God for fresh starts!
Amen! Welcome to the CAST blog team, Monika. Great Start :-)
Thanks, loving girls...I tried. Feel so inadequate still.
It will get better...with God.
Great to ponder - and I'm hungry for change in my own life.
I'm thankful that I started my New Life as a child of about 8 and that "...though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day!" 2 Cor. 4:16
Thank you Monika. :)
Monika, wonderful reminder of God and the chances He gives us.