New Year: A New Beginning

Chuckle: "You're old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster."

Quote: "To believe only possibilities is not faith, but mere philosophy." --Sir Thomas Brown

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1 NLT). "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands" (Psalm 102:25 NIV).

Genesis 1:1 records the new beginning of all new beginnings. Have you ever wondered why God even bothered to create the heavens and the earth? Did He just need a few more toys with which to amuse Himself? Or did He have in mind a great and amazing master plan to gloriously reveal Himself to mankind, the crown jewel of His creation? The Scriptures tell us it was the later.

Because "God is Love" (1 John 4:16), He wanted to share that love and Himself. He wanted someone with whom He could fellowship, share His love and have that love returned. That someone was to be the zenith of His creation -- Adam and Eve -- the parents of the human race. He also created an environment in which mankind could exist, grow, prosper and commune with Him in concert with all creation.

We often think of the New Year as a time of new beginnings. We may want our circumstances to change for the better in the new year. We want our problems and challenges to be reduced in size and frequency. We want our love relationships to grow and become more fulfilling. As you begin 2019, what do you plan to do to make your dreams and desires become reality? God took definite action to bring about the beginning He had in mind. Will you be proactive and take positive actions to make this the best year of your life? As you begin the new year, please reflect on the following:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes (trusts, has faith) in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). ". . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (6:23). "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (5:8). ". . . if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. . . for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Rom. 10:9-10, 13).

There is no better time than now for a new beginning. You may need to repent of your sin, give your heart and life to Jesus Christ and pray to receive Him as Savior and Lord. If you are already a born again believer, it's a great time to commit your life to Him anew and pledge to walk with and serve Him more faithfully in 2019.

Love, Jerry & Dotse