Friday, February 7, 2014

Starting Over

Since I began blogging over 5 years ago, I have learned a lot about how to write succinctly. Consequently, I have gone back and re-written and/or re-formatted some of my earlier posts; it's like getting a chance to start over. Don't I wish it were that easy in the real world. Is there anyone who never wished they could erase some part of their beginning and start again? But, there are no “do-over's” in “time.”

In the spiritual realm, however, we are not only promised a new start, we are incited to it. After Paul promises us  we can be “renewed” each day (2 Cor. 4:16), he urges us to “walk in newness” (Rom. 6:4). Jesus tells us to treat each day as new, not looking back regretfully (Matt. 6:34; Luke 9:62). And this is better than a ‘do-over.’ “It means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17). Don't allow yesterday's mistakes to infect your new day. (Col. 4:5)

6 comments:

  1. Thank you Greg, I think it's great! It gives you a completely new and different frame of mind from which to operate, with no limits to your creativity and initiative. I think you feel lighter, stronger and more open to new things in every area of your life. Thanks again! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Greg,

    Among the items that Scripture says are "new" is one that has become my favorite: the "new" mercies/compassions of God (Lam.3:22,23). Recognizing the power of God over the power of my own best efforts to fail Him I take great comfort in His mercies and compassions to be renewed daily in their expression toward me.

    Stan

    ReplyDelete
  3. yes, I had forgotten about that promise of newness! thanks for the reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good morning Greg,
    Thank you for the encouraging post! I feel that one of the most liberating things about the gospel is that personal failure is not final. Out of a squandering prodigal kind of love, again and again, God is willing to continue to meet us where we are, and equip us for a better future.
    In the midst of that long whine by Jeremiah in Lamentations, there is that jewel in 3:20-24:
    20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
    21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
    22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
    23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
    24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

    We are renewed, not because of our own inner strength, but because God is faithful. We have hope that can change our lives. And that can happen every morning, because God is faithful, because God is active, because God said so. And that is enough for me.
    Thank you.
    Godspeed!
    Larry Q

    ReplyDelete
  5. "He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it" 1 Thess. 5:24

    ReplyDelete