New Year New Me



And he who was seated on the throne said, 
“Behold, I am making all things new.” 
Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:5

We've all heard them, and probably even said them.  The catch phrases of the New Year.


"New Year New Me"

"This is going to be MY year".

"I resolve to"


These are certainly healthy mindsets.  After all, they say that a positive attitude shapes how we view life and circumstances.  And certainly, setting goals helps us to strive towards continuous improvement.

But I was stopped in my tracks on New Year's Day when I read from a new devotional, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, by Anne Graham Lotz, where she describes attending an event where the speaker asked those in the audience what they thought God expected from them.  Anne thought to herself, "righteousness", "holiness", "love for neighbor and God", "Bible reading", "prayer", "service" and "obedience".    Anne then shared that the speaker said something shocking - "All God expects from you is failure."  I shared in Anne's stunned amazement.  Anne stated that she wanted to raise her hand wildly and say, "I can do that!"  "I can live up to God's expectation!".  lol.

Because let's face it, most people won't make New Year's Resolutions because they know they will fail within the first week or two.

My supervisor at work gave me a book for Christmas called, The Power of Moments, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.  It's actually a very interesting read about what causes memorable moments in our lives.  In the section regarding life's "landmark" moments, the authors stated that we have a natural hunger for these landmarks in time, specifically mentioning New Year's Resolutions.  The author's quoted Katherine Milkman who said, "at the start of the New Year, we feel like we have a clean slate.  It's the 'fresh start effect'...  all of my past failures are from last year and I can think, "Those are not me.  That's old me.  That's not new me.  New me isn't going to make mistakes."

But to "God's point", the Apostle Paul stated the following:

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; 
for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 
For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 
Romans 7:18-19

And we certainly know this to be true...

But does that mean we just give up?

The Apostle Paul continues...

Wretched man that I am! 
Who will set me free from the body of this death? 
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! 
Romans 7:24-25a

Anne didn't end the devotion with the speaker's stunning proclamation.  She continued by saying that he went on to say "But He has given you the Holy Spirit so that you need never fail."

Does this mean because we have the Holy Spirit we will never fail?  Not at all.  What it does mean is that we have a God who is compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love.

I recently read through the Book of Exodus and was so struck by God's incredible patience with Moses, Aaron and the Israelites - time, after time, after time...  Talk about a God of second chances!!  Wow!  That kind of patience can only come from Everlasting Love!

For those of us who acknowledge that Jesus death on the cross has satisfied the punishment for our sins and failings, and that our sins have been removed as far as the East is from the West, need not be discouraged when we do fail because we have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.  When God looks at us, He sees Jesus righteousness.

Does this mean we accept our sinfulness and failings?  I join with the Apostle Paul and say, "May it never be!!"

Instead, we don't let our sins and failings cause us to spiral nor do we accept that this as our lot in life.

...but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13b-14


As Believers, we don't need to wait for the New Year for a "new me".  Instead, we have the Holy Spirit to daily teach and RE-new us.  We need only to ask...

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, 
whom the Father will send in My name, 
He will teach you all things, 
and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 14:26

Instead of waiting for January 1st to proclaim "New Year New Me", every hour of every day pray "Lord, RE-new me."

Do not be conformed to this world, 
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, 
what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2

and have put on the new self, 
which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Colossians 3:10

to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; 
and to put on the new self, 
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:23-24

Oh what freedom there is to know that God makes all things new!  It's not in our own power, strength or resolution, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May you walk in that freedom as you enter 2018 and throughout the year.


You might find me on these link-ups:
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Comments

  1. I totally agree with not waiting for New Year’s Day to declare a fresh start. Every morning His mercies are fresh and new.

    Your neighbor from Inspiration Monday

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    Replies
    1. Lisa, Indeed and Amen!

      Thanks so much for stopping by. :-)

      Blessings,

      Delete
  2. "As Believers, we don't need to wait for the New Year for a "new me". Instead, we have the Holy Spirit to daily teach and RE-new us." Amen! Isn't it good that He is faithful and we can start afresh any time? :) Blessings to you, Karen! I'm your neighbor at the #LMMLinkup.

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    Replies
    1. Gayl, Yes ma'am! :-)

      Thanks so much for stopping by.

      Blessings to you too!

      Delete
  3. Amen, and amen, sweet sister! Oh, how I enjoyed reading this tonight...I am SO thankful that God hits the "reset" button, and His mercies are new every morning. He is a faithful God whose compassions fail not! It was so wonderful to see a post from you tonight, dear friend. May the Lord bless you abundantly in this new year. You will never know how much I appreciate you and your dear presence in my life!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl! Awe. I'm so glad!

      Indeed, His mercies are new every morning, great is His Faithfulness.

      Thank you! It is good to be back again. Taking the month of December off has certainly recharged me and the Lord has given me much to write about. :-)

      Thank you sweet friend and my prayer is for abundant joy and blessings to you too!

      The Lord has blessed me in the same way knowing you dear friend.

      Sending you much love and gratitude. :-)

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  5. Great encouragement for the new year. I love your love for the Word!!!
    Have a great weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Daune, Thank you so much.

      Even though the Lord used several people in my life to draw me close to Him and then one particular person to open my eyes to commit my life to the Lord, it was truly through His Word that the Lord revealed Himself to me, even in the infancy of being born again. I think that is why His Word is even more precious in my life.

      I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was wonderful! My parents visited from New Jersey and we were together all weekend with my grown children and my granddaughter. :-)

      Have a great week!

      Delete
    2. Karen,
      Thanks! We had a busy, but wonderful weekend as well. Our son and his wife and their four kiddos live around the block, truly a gift from Daddy. We spent time this evening enjoying a meal with them and yesterday I took their oldest with me to read lines for a script that we hope will become a movie. He was a natural.
      Isn't it awesome to enjoy our kids and their kids?
      Just love it. Thanks for replying and stop by my blog when you get the chance.
      Have a great week yourself!

      Delete
  6. Like you, I'm thankful that we don't have to wait until January 1st for renewal. Or Yom Kipper to have our sins forgiven. His mercy is new every morning! Amen! Blessings on your weekend!

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    1. June, Thanks so much for sharing, and thank you for stopping by.

      I hope you had a blessed weekend too!

      Delete
  7. God is speaking to my heart as well to focus on renewing my mind, trusting and yielding to Him, instead of on what I can do to change myself.

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    1. Elizabeth, Thank you so much for sharing how the Lord is personally working on you this new year to renew your mind.

      Blessings,

      Delete
  8. So true, the Holy Spirit reminder. It's like a tap on the brain with a reminder. Thank God for his word to put into my brain, but still, I fall down so many times. As you say when reading Exodus and a lot of times in the Bible, God continually finds ways to show the Israelites they are forgiven.

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

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    Replies
    1. Pea Bea, Thanks for sharing your heart here. I appreciate it.

      Blessings,

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  9. AMEN SISTER! Knowing that God is not expecting us to just be perfect or righteous or good or 'change ourselves' is AMAZINGLY comforting, because it points me back to Jesus and my deep need for Him. I need Him as a wretch that can't save myself. I need His righteousness, His love. This was such a good reminder that I need to look forward to Jesus, pressing on towards our King and Savior!

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    Replies
    1. Emily, Thanks so much for adding to the conversation and so transparently. I appreciate it. :-)

      Praising God you found encouragement here.

      Blessings,

      Delete
  10. Yes, every day is new, filled with possibilities and potential - even in the midst of trials - we can begin each day anew - filled with His grace and strength. Thank you for such a powerful post!

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    1. Miaismine, You are very welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by. :-)

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