Now that it is a brand new year many of us have decided that we would like to start fresh. In fact, we have been contemplating this for quite some time anticipating the beginning of this new year so that we can start with our new routine. There may be things that we are hoping to add to our life and there is likely some things that we are hoping to rid ourselves of. Maybe some of us are wanting to eat healthier and lose some weight. Maybe some are hoping to quit a bad habit. Some may want to improve some relationships in their lives. The list goes on and on. These are all wonderful goals to set and hopefully meet, but have we stopped to consider the most important things we should add to our routine and the important things we need to leave behind once and for all? Have we stopped to consider that what we would benefit from the most is starting new from the inside out? We can all be made new in our inner being. Now that is as new as it gets! How do we do this? First, we have to come to understand that we are not perfect, we sin. Because of this we do in fact need a new start and we need to be cleansed from our sin. Second, we have to understand that the only way to be cleansed of our sin and receive salvation for our soul is through our Savior Jesus. The Bible tells us in John 3:16 that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV) When we do acknowledge that we are a sinner and believe in our heart that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins we can invite Jesus into our hearts and lives as our personal Savior. Romans 10:9 tells us that “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (NIV) If you want to invite Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior you can pray a prayer like this:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know that I am a sinner and that I need Jesus to save me. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins and that He rose to life again. God please forgive me for my sins. I invite Jesus into my heart and my life as my personal Lord and Savior. I commit my life to you.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
If you prayed a prayer like this and sincerely believe these things in your heart then you will be made new from the inside out, in your inner being! Praise God for this incredible gift!
Now if you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior you are a new creation in Jesus and your slate has been wiped clean, for all of eternity! Your new start has already begun! Now, lets discuss some things we are wanting to quit. God will make us do this, for He is faithful, and in this moment He is making us aware of some things we need to leave behind. The one thing we absolutely must stop doing is sinning. Sin is anything that we should not do, and let’s be honest we know that we shouldn’t do those things. We know right from wrong. For James 4:17 tells us that “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (NIV) As I said before, God will make you aware of your sin and He will work in you to do His will. For all the good that is in us comes from Christ living in us. The good in us is Christ in us. Let me encourage you with these words from 1 John 2:1-2 that say “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (NIV)
When it comes to the things we want to add to our routine as a new creation in Christ, there is one goal to keep in mind and that is that we are to live our lives to glorify God and do His will. As I have said God is faithful and He will make you into the Child of God He desires you to be. Remember Philippians 2:13 says “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (NIV) We are to keep and follow God’s commands. Some things that are important to add to our daily routine include spending time in God’s Word and being faithful in prayer. In order to learn more about God and the way that we are supposed to live our lives in Him we must spend time in His Word. God has blessed us with His Word and through His Word He teaches us how to live our lives to glorify Him. We are instructed in Joshua 1:8 to “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (NIV) Through God’s Word we also find encouragement. In order to live according to God’s Word we have to know God’s Word as Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV) Even if we spend just a few minutes every day in God’s Word we will be blessed for it. I encourage you to make it a habit to spend even just 5 minutes every day in God’s Word.
Prayer is another important addition to our daily routine. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:12 that we are to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (NIV) At any point in our day or night we can pray to God and He hears us! God knows every bit of you even better than you know yourself! Spending time in prayer with God means we are getting to talk with the God who created us, the God who redeemed us, and the God from whom all blessings flow. You can always come to Him in prayer just as you are and He is there loving you, teaching you, and blessing you every step of the way. God knows what you need before you even ask for it! So when you wake up in the morning, even before you get out of bed, pray to God and start your day the right way! Before you go to sleep at night pray to God and praise Him for the day you were blessed with no matter it’s happenings. Ask God to make you live in a manner that is glorifying to Him, and remember, He is faithful and He will do it! You can pray any moment of every day so be faithful in prayer!
Now that you are a new creation in Christ, leave the old ways behind! For 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (NIV) Always remember that God is faithful and He always works for the good of His children who He has called for His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Enjoy being a new creation in Christ! For there is no greater blessing than Salvation in Jesus Christ!
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