Renewal
Happy New Year!
Aloha
Dearest Family,
According to our calendar, we are welcoming in the New Year and
saying goodbye to the old one. For many people, this brings a sigh of relief,
for most are more than happy to move past such a turbulent year as 2020. But
this is OUR view not God’s. God sees things much differently.
“For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my
thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8 and 9)
Our view is very limited, while God sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah
46:10). There is nothing that escapes His sight. God also knows that times of
trouble will come to both saint and sinner alike. This is because the devil is
the ruler the world (I John 5:19). As God’s children, we need to keep in mind
that our struggle is not with people.
“For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
As we celebrate the coming new year, let us also celebrate that it is God that
truly brings changes that issue in better things otherwise called renewal. It took Him
4,000 years to bring His promise of a redeemer to pass. But He is ALWAYS true
to His promises. Jesus was born in the midst of dark and turbulent times (I’m
talking dark and turbulent), yet Satan and all his cohorts couldn’t keep the
Savior from coming. God’s Will would be done! Years later after his birth, in a
synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus announced the start of his earthly ministry. At
the time of his declaration, he quoted Isaiah, “ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isaiah
62:2a) This bold announcement would issue in the start of a new era, for Christ
would fulfil the Old Covenant and issue in a New Covenant.
On the day of Pentecost (as detailed in Acts 2) God poured out His spirit upon
mankind, making him a new
creation. In this new creation, man would forever be united
with Christ because God made us like Christ and we are to have the mind of
Christ. “Let this mind be
in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:5)
“So then, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation, the old things have
passed away, Look! Things have become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17
Revised English Version)
When
we became born again, we became NEW CREATIONS! This is not just an improved
version of our old selves. This new is a brand spanking new, shiny,
out-of-the-box new. We can now live the life of victory we have always dreamed
of living because we have the spirit of Christ dwelling on the inside. All the
resources of heaven are ours for the taking. And when we change our minds to
think God’s Word, we start walking in newness
of life. This is the life that God has called us to. And you know what, this is
ours no matter what is happening around us. Times of distress or worry cannot
stop God from showering us with His blessings.
We
should also remember that one day soon Christ will return for us, his church,
and take us home. This day will be unlike any other because at this time we
will all be changed and receive new spiritual bodies. And all the forces of
Satan can’t stop it from happening.
Then
at the end of all tribulation, God will make
all things NEW.
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the
first earth had passed away… ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There
will be no more death’ nor mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of
things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down,
for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:1a, 4 and
5)
This
will certainly be a “ good
year” that will never
end. (It could be this year).
Love Always, Ray
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