A New Beginning
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won’t
stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
These words from Chris Tomlin’s song “Is He Worthy?” remind us that just because we’ve reached a new year, we can look around our world and see it’s obvious that things are not new just because the calendar changed from 2021 to 2022. New beginnings, where all things are made new, are found only in Christ.
The corporate response of “We do” to the questions posed above is easy. What about the personal response? Do you find yourself in need of a fresh start? Are you longing to see all things made new in your walk with Christ? I have good news – you can begin again.
The Bible is replete with examples of people who needed a new beginning, and went on to be used by God. There is King David who had to repent and begin anew (Psalm 51) after his sin with Bathsheba. Peter was forced to confront his failure on the seashore with Christ just days after the resurrection (John 21). It was this same Peter who went on to preach on the Day of Pentecost and witness the coming of the Holy Spirit and thousands being added to the church.
The Apostle John gives us this promise in his first epistle:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)
You can begin again, and that new beginning does not have to wait for a new year -- or a new month. The best day for a new beginning is today.
In the parable of the prodigal son, it was not enough for the son to realize his condition -- that he belonged at home in his father’s house. He had to get up and go home to the father’s house. It was there he found the father waiting with open arms. If you are longing for a new beginning, there is no better time to come home to the Father’s house.
By Jesse Smith
Jesse and his wife, Melanie, reside in Lexington, along with their son, Zak.
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won’t
stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
These words from Chris Tomlin’s song “Is He Worthy?” remind us that just because we’ve reached a new year, we can look around our world and see it’s obvious that things are not new just because the calendar changed from 2021 to 2022. New beginnings, where all things are made new, are found only in Christ.
The corporate response of “We do” to the questions posed above is easy. What about the personal response? Do you find yourself in need of a fresh start? Are you longing to see all things made new in your walk with Christ? I have good news – you can begin again.
The Bible is replete with examples of people who needed a new beginning, and went on to be used by God. There is King David who had to repent and begin anew (Psalm 51) after his sin with Bathsheba. Peter was forced to confront his failure on the seashore with Christ just days after the resurrection (John 21). It was this same Peter who went on to preach on the Day of Pentecost and witness the coming of the Holy Spirit and thousands being added to the church.
The Apostle John gives us this promise in his first epistle:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)
You can begin again, and that new beginning does not have to wait for a new year -- or a new month. The best day for a new beginning is today.
In the parable of the prodigal son, it was not enough for the son to realize his condition -- that he belonged at home in his father’s house. He had to get up and go home to the father’s house. It was there he found the father waiting with open arms. If you are longing for a new beginning, there is no better time to come home to the Father’s house.
By Jesse Smith
Jesse and his wife, Melanie, reside in Lexington, along with their son, Zak.
Recent
Archive
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
On the DefenseNot in My House!We Have a Barn Burner!Drop the Rock!Scripture Memory Verse for MarchThe Glory of God's RedemptionSalvation Comes from GodEncountering ChristChanged Hearts and LivesCompleting the Unfinished WorkPsalm 131Something Came UpUnoffendableSpeaking Our LanguageTo Love or Not to LoveShake It UpPsalm 131Sola GratiaFreed by GraceAmazed by GraceScandalous GraceEvidence of GraceWhat God Has GivenThe Travel PlannerWhat Makes You Curious?Strengthened by Other BelieversImposters Exposed
April
A Farewell to EphesusScripture Memory Verse for AprilHappy EndingsSomething You Need to Know About PaulAlmostBlank PageSuper ChristianThe Prince of PeaceA Special CrossMore Than an Empty TombTwo Things to RememberResurrection LifeWhat We Wear MattersA New LifeProgress ReportGospel GrowthPraying for the Global ChurchA Powerful Prayer GuideDelivered from Darkness