New in Christ

Therefore if any person is [engrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (2Corinthians 5:17, AMP)

            The year 2012 was a great year for some people. For others, 2012 was a year of heartache and difficulty. Some received answered prayers, favor, and blessings. On the other hand, others made bad decisions and forgot to keep God first in their lives. However, the New Year is quickly approaching. It is a time to celebrate another year we made it through and reached another holiday season in our right minds. It is also a time to reflect on the wrongful decisions and moves that we have made. This is not to beat ourselves up, but to learn from the error of our ways going forward. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. We gain wisdom from our mistakes.

            With that said, 2012 is passing away. It’s passing away with all its frustrations, cares, mistakes, bad relationships, hurts, and disappointments. Many of us are blessed with the opportunity to see another year. The year 2013 is an opportunity for a new beginning. This is the time to have hope and use your faith to make things happen for yourself. What is that thing that is pressing on your heart that you must accomplish? If you want to go back to school, go back. Do you want to write a book? Write it. Thinking of starting your own business, then do it.

           The time is now. The bible says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15-17, NJKV). Redeem the time. Time that you could have used to do something major you wasted it. More time has been given to you to accomplish your goals. Again I say, redeem the time. For some of us this means seeking a deeper relationship with God. For others it means finally making the decision to put God first in your lives. God should be first in our hearts, finances, relationships, and decision-making. If you would “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP).

            The New Year is a chance to become new in Christ. “…leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NCV).

            You can become new in your thinking, your attitude, and in your heart. God Himself can do this through His word. So “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV). Talking to God in prayer, reading His Word, and hearing the Word are the best ways to become new in Christ. Make a New Year’s resolution to seek God truly in your heart. Decide to turn away from all the things and relationships that detach you from God. There are attitudes, mentalities, and habits that God wants us to get rid of. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32, NKJV).

Jesus gave up and accomplished so much for us. What will you give up and accomplish for Him in 2013? 

Take Up Your Cross

And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me (Matthew 10:38 AMP).

            We all have a cross to bear. God will allow some burdens and tribulations in our lives because He is trying to teach us steadfastness, in Him. How will we learn to trust God if everything is always perfect? For Him to be your Deliverer, you must be delivered from something. For Him to be your Healer, you must be healed from something. For Him to be your Provider, you must lack something so that He can provide. Get it?

             The challenge is when burdens and tribulations seem to last forever in our lives. Sometimes it can feel like God is busy answering everybody else’s prayers except yours. Not true. If you will be steadfast in the Lord, He will come. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him (Isaiah 64:4,NKJV). God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. The key is to wait. Wait for His deliverance and His provision. Whatever it is, bear your cross and follow Jesus. He never promised that the road would be easy; He promised He’d get us there. Jesus was so honest with us that in John 16:33, He tells us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We must have the faith that declares if Jesus has already overcome the world, then because he lives in Me & I live in Him, I have already overcome this affliction.

            Doing the right thing despite the consequences, detaching yourself from ungodly relationships, and doing things God’s way regardless of what everybody else is doing is bearing a cross. Sometimes it hurts to do things Gods way, but my bible tells me, “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33, AMP). We often worry about the everyday issues of life, from money to our relationships, or the lack thereof. However, if we could just focus our hearts on Jesus and be still, I believe that God will move on our behalf. Remember, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19, NKJV).

            Have you ever been in a relationship with someone, whether romantic or platonic? You two were like peas and carrots when life was comfortable. Then when things got rough, they split? How often do we do this to God? When life is simple and all our prayers are answered quickly, we easily follow Jesus. However, when times get rough and when life does not turn out how we expect, submission to Christ becomes taxing. Bearing a cross of any kind is now out of the question. We must learn to serve God in and out of season. When we are prosperous and when we are not. Otherwise, how real is your dedication to Christ? My friend, bear your cross. I personally know that this is not an easy task. Therefore, surround yourself with people of God that will pray with and for you. Have faith in God’s good character and press your way into your breakthrough. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10, NKJV).