New Year, Same Old Choices

"And He Who sits on the throne said, 

"Behold, I am making all things new."

Revelation 21:5

Happy New Year, friends.

How's that resolution list?  

Of course, I am speaking to my younger friends, because the friends who are my age or older gave up resolution lists ages ago.  It's not that resolutions are hopeless, but the reality that life is hard and simply because we've turned the page on the calendar doesn't make it easier to do what we know we should be doing no matter what day or year it is.  If it were that simple, then we would celebrate the New Month every month by turning the page, shouting "Happy New Month!",  and writing our resolutions over and over until we finally get them down.  

Here's the truth - God is the One Who makes all things new.  A day is coming when He will do this for the entire earth.  If you need some refreshment for your imagination, read Revelation 21 and remember, that day is approaching.  

But in the meantime, God still is in the business of renewing:

• Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me - Psalm 51:10

• Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle - Psalm 103:5
• And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect - Romans 12:2
• Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day - II Cor. 4:16
• He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life - Titus 3:5-7

My prayer for myself, as well as you, my friends, is that in this new year we would turn our hearts and minds even more so toward the Lord, that we would start each day at the foot of the cross, that we would soak in the richness of His word and walk in the newness of the life that cost Him dearly, that we would choose to be humble and to place ourselves under His protective hand, that we would serve the Lord with gladness at every turn and that 2015 will be a year of growth and wonder, as we open our hearts to God's transforming work through His Spirit and His Word.  

Yes, the battle to lose weight will continue to be waged in this home, as well as the call to get fit, be nicer to those around me and sort out my junk drawer.  But instead of doing this to be a better person, I believe if we place Jesus at the center of all things, the journey will no longer be a battle but a blessing.

May the Lord renew your spirit today and may He continue to draw you into His care.