Brand New YOU!
Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
"New Year, New Me"...how many times have we said or heard that? Or how about the grand weight loss goals that we vow to stick by? Our local fitness clubs love 'em. Then there's the vows to start or stop something starting the first of the year. How many of these promises do we actually keep? A better question is; how do we feel once we realize another year has gone by with unmet goals and unfulfilled dreams? We're often crushed or resolve never to make another resolution again. Maybe New Year's Resolutions are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Does this mean you stop striving to be a better you?
How about trying things God's way?
Sometimes we get so fixated on what it is that we want for ourselves that we don't stop to ask if it is the will of God. It may be that what we want doesn't line up with His plan. He may close a door to protect you or to introduce you to another (much greater) door. See, God desires to do a NEW thing in you and He's already started well before the New Year. You've got to first believe this is true before you can fully tap into all that He has in store for you. So, how do you walk in the promise of a Brand New You?
Stop Looking Back
Isaiah 43:18 encourages us to forget about the former things. In other words, leave the past right where it is. Don't hold yourself hostage to past sins or shortcomings. More importantly, don't allow anyone else to keep you in bondage to the past. Doing this will only keep you from embracing the NEW that God has in store for you. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if any man be in Christ he (or she) is a NEW creature. Old things are gone and all things are NEW. That word is true and not just for those whose lives appear to be squeaky clean. It applies to anyone that has a relationship with Christ. You cannot move forward if you are constantly looking back so look ahead because your future is awaiting you.
Wash with the Word
As soon as you take that first step, the enemy is going to try and make you doubt God's promise. Saturating yourself with the word of God will keep you focused. Remember when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted (Luke 4:1-13)? He countered each of Satan's attacks with the Word and eventually the enemy had to go. You must look at this example as your guide to overcome doubt, fear, naysayers, haters, or any other thing that stands between you and your destiny. Get into the Word and let the Word get into you. When you are pressed, what is in you will come out. Let that be the Word of God.
Declare - "He IS doing a NEW thing in me"
Have you ever caught yourself saying "I'm so tired" or "There's no way I could do this." If you notice, the things we say often materialize; good or bad. Our words have power (Proverbs 18:21). Imagine what would happen if you said "I'm full of energy" or "I can do this". Refuse to speak negatively over yourself. Make a declaration that God IS doing a NEW thing. Even if you can't see it or feel it, you have to believe that it IS happening now.
Reflection
We are already 11 days into the New Year. You may have fallen off the "wagon" or failed once or twice but that doesn't mean that God isn't at work in you. Your "New Year" can begin again and if you fall, you can start again. God is still doing a NEW thing in you. Let us pray...
Father,
I thank you for desiring to do a NEW thing in me. I thank you for the opportunity to walk in the newness you have called me to. I am leaving the past behind, I will saturate myself with Your word, and I declare that you ARE doing a NEW thing in me.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
