A New Normal
“A new normal” is a phrase that has become prominent in our culture and media over the last couple of years. Everyone has an idea on where we should land as a society in response to social unrest, the pandemic, and what seems to be a never-ending stream of crises. The challenge for believers is that much of the culture’s new normal stands in opposition to the teachings of Scripture. We cannot accept the “new normal” of the culture, nor can we settle for the normal that appeared to exist only a few years ago.
If we are going to be better stewards of the days ahead of us than the days behind us; if we are going to have a greater Kingdom impact in the year ahead of us than in years past, there will have to be a new normal in our lives as followers of Jesus. Our new normal has to be a daily commitment to disciplined discipleship. Jesus would put it this way:
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 ESV)
Our new normal must be a daily commitment to disciplined discipleship. Discipleship is not easy; it is not a ticket to a carefree life. The life of a disciple is to put His purpose before our own and to follow Him no matter the costs. His ultimate purpose is to reconcile the world to Himself through Christ.
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV)
What would happen if the pattern of our lives were to take up our cross daily, follow Jesus whole-heartedly, and engage those around us with the invitation to be reconciled to God? That is a new normal we should all embrace.
By Jesse Smith
Jesse and his wife, Melanie, reside in Lexington, along with their son, Zak.
If we are going to be better stewards of the days ahead of us than the days behind us; if we are going to have a greater Kingdom impact in the year ahead of us than in years past, there will have to be a new normal in our lives as followers of Jesus. Our new normal has to be a daily commitment to disciplined discipleship. Jesus would put it this way:
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 ESV)
Our new normal must be a daily commitment to disciplined discipleship. Discipleship is not easy; it is not a ticket to a carefree life. The life of a disciple is to put His purpose before our own and to follow Him no matter the costs. His ultimate purpose is to reconcile the world to Himself through Christ.
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV)
What would happen if the pattern of our lives were to take up our cross daily, follow Jesus whole-heartedly, and engage those around us with the invitation to be reconciled to God? That is a new normal we should all embrace.
By Jesse Smith
Jesse and his wife, Melanie, reside in Lexington, along with their son, Zak.
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2022
January
New Year's Day 2022All Things NewA New NormalA Renewed MindA New MissionA New BeginningSpring is Coming...God's Not DeadHis Presence As I Pray With Other BelieversHis Presence As I Fill My Heart and Mind with His WordHis Presence As I WorshipHis Presence As I WriteHim AloneGoodbyesOur Friend and So Much MoreTrust Your Gut...The Flooding of the Holy SpritLiving By the SpiritDon't Just Stand ThereThe Futility of Human EffortThe Will of God for YouThe Internal Battle for ControlEvery Good Tree Bears Good FruitAchieving Victory Over SinIlluminating Properties of SnowSearching
February
MapsThe AdvocatesPainting the PictureThree In OneFebruary Scripture Memory VerseWelcome to the Book of Acts!A Growing HeartThere's Something You Need to Understand!Let's Flip a Coin - Or Do You Have a Better Idea?Are We There Yet?Growing in the ChallengesA Day to RememberA Historical RealityA Life TransformedA Message that Convicts and SavesA Gospel that GathersPain with a PurposeThe Early Church - AccountableThe Early Church - God Living In UsThe Early Church - BoldnessThe Early Church - GenerosityThe Early Church - ServingThe IntroductionThe Starting Lineup
March
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April
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