Time With Christ: 1 January 2015, Thursday Daily Devotion - A New Beginning

Topic: A New Beginning (Thursday, January 1, 2015)

Memorize: And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. - Revelation 21:5

Read: Isaiah 43:19

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

MESSAGE:

When someone promises to give you a gift, before you begin to celebrate, find out whether the fellow has the wherewithal to fulfill the promise, or else you may be disappointed. The good news is that the Almighty God, who knows no impossibility, said in Isaiah 43:19 that He would do a new thing for His children this year. I pray for someone using this devotional that something pleasantly new and glorious will happen to you this year in Jesus’ Name.

However, for something new to happen. The old must give way. In Genesis 32:24-28, the angel said to Jacob that his old name must give way for a new one. The Lord said this same thing to his grandfather and grandmother-Abraham and Sarah, whose names were changed from Abram and Sarai respectively. The old names that have brought misfortune and agony to someone using this devotional will change this year in Jesus’ Name. You must let go of your old ways of living if you want to experience a glorious new beginning this year. Your old ways of thinking and your old ways of doing things, especially your ungodly behavior, must give way.

You must change your master if this master is not Jesus Christ. Jesus is calling all those who labour and are heavy laden to come to Him. He promised to give as many as shall come to Him a new beginning to joy and victory if they would accept His Lordship, take His yoke upon themselves, learn of Him and keep His commandments (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

The implication of this passage of scripture is great. It means that if you come to Jesus Christ, your sinful living becomes history, because not only will you be forgiven, the power behind “go and sin no more” will be your portion also. This was the experience of the woman caught in the sin of adultery who was forgiven by the Lord (John 8:11). My sincere prayer for you this New Year is that the abundant life in Jesus Christ will be your portion, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Happy New Year!!!

Action Point: Father, I stand on your promise of glorious new things for me and my loved ones, and I claim these promises for abundant joy in this New Year in Jesus’ Name.

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 1-2; Acts 1