I am sure I am not alone in bidding farewell to 2020. Although we’d like to say good riddance, we really should consider some of the good that came out of it and Praise God in all things. I’ll leave it to each of you to consider how God works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose (I touched on this in my last blog). So moving forward, let us welcome 2021 with high hopes for a better year. God’s word promises that His mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). The Lord says “Behold I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Therefore, we wait on God with joyful expectation with hope for our future. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that the Lord says:
“I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. When you look for me with all of your heart, I will be found” (Jeremiah 29:11,13).
In this new year we are not only hoping for better days ahead regarding the pandemic, the economy and the divided state of our nation, but we’re hoping for a new start for ourselves as well. Wouldn’t you like a new and better you? I know I would. But we have tendencies to make vows and resolutions, only to give up after a while and then find ourselves right back to where we started. We hope for a magical moment that changes our hearts and minds for the better. I want to tell you there is such a moment, but it has nothing to do with magic. Although, it is majestic in nature and it transcends time.
The Moment That Transcends Time
The Father spoke softly in my mind as I woke from my sleep shortly before 4 AM. It was about Jesus’ death on the cross for all mankind. He did it for you, He did it for me and He did it as an act of obedience for the Father’s love. It was the ultimate act of obedience, humility, and self sacrifice. We could never offer ourselves in such a way to atone for our guilt.
In the sacrificial system set up by Moses, given to him by the Father on Mount Sinai, only the blood of an unblemished animal could be used to cover sin. Yet, it was only temporary; it had to be repeated by the priest time and time again to bring the people back into a relationship with the Father. For it is written, that without the shedding of blood there could be no forgiveness of sin. And without forgiveness, there could be no healing, or release from bondage and the captivity of sin that separates us from the pure love of the Father.
People don’t like to think about sin. We don’t even like to acknowledge that word. It brings up thoughts of wickedness and evil. We choose to see ourselves as innocent, helpless creatures of creation not responsible for our wrong doing. Even worse, we don’t want to even accept certain actions and behaviors as wrong. Many people think if it feels right, then it’s okay. But God’s word says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is a way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). We say things like, “God knows I didn’t mean anything by that… I never intended to hurt … it’s just that… But he said or she said…” We make all kinds of excuses for our imperfections. And that is simply what sin is, an imperfection, missing the mark of God’s perfection that separates us from Him.
Yet, in a single moment, time is transcended by that single act of obedience of Jesus at the cross. He was and is the only sinless being in all of creation because He and the Father are One. He came down in earthly manifestation as the only begotten son of the Father, so we could be sons and daughters of God. Why is this so important? Because when we wrap our head around the majesty of what took place at the cross, we should be in awe of what was accomplished for us.
In that moment when we need the love of the Father, His help and His mercy more than anything else, it is made possible to receive it. The moment you acknowledge your own sinfulness and need for redemption, is the moment you transcend time and are taken to the hill of Calvary where Jesus bled and died for you. He was and is the perfect sacrifice that never has to be repeated. It is the moment that transcends time and makes you a new creation in Christ.
The prophet Isaiah tells us that the Lord says:
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
So, when you get to the end of yourself, the end of trying to figure it all out on your own, the end of making excuses for your problems, your behavior and your attitude, you can call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will hear from heaven and answer you. It is written that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from this old life and given a new one, (provided you want a new life).
You can’t have your cake and eat it too! In other words you can’t say you love God and want his mercy, but continue to live according to your old ways. There comes a time when we must put our idols behind us and set our sight on Jesus. I have explained to you in previous blogs that anything you love more than God is an idol, a false god trying to usurp the Father’s place in your life. The Father loves you with an everlasting love and wants to help you be an overcomer like Jesus, but He will never help you with your idols. He won’t compete with inferior worldly pleasures, when what He has to offer is more than you can ask for or imagine.
The Father’s love is so great that He sent His only begotten son to the cross to defeat sin and the grave. Then in turn, sent down His very Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Helper to strengthen and remind us how to live our new life in Christ. It is that still small voice, that conviction in the back of your mind telling you to walk this way. However, you still have free will to listen and obey or not. The choice is yours and what you do with it is ultimately your responsibility. There are no excuses for sin, only forgiveness.
So if you have never entered into the right relationship with the Father, it’s not too late. The time is at hand, it is here right now. It’s a majestic moment that transcends time, takes you to the cross and purifies you, once and for all time. Just come to Jesus!
It’s a new year, the old has gone and we have high hopes and expectations for a better one ahead. What better way to start this new year than entering into a relationship for the first time, or renewing your existing relationship with the Father through His son Jesus? His forgiveness is readily available to all who desire it. You need only to ask and it shall be given. There is no special prayer, just call on Jesus in your own words, believing in your heart that He died for your sin and then rose from the grave, forever defeating eternal death. Along with the love and forgiveness of the Father and the Son, will come a new power from the Holy Spirit living within you. It is a power that is made perfect in weakness. For when you are weak, He is strong.
New Year Resolutions Mind, Body and Spirit
It is also that time of year when we look in the mirror and vow to make changes to improve our health and appearance. This year we are battling the holiday weigh gain and the pandemic pounds as well. We have our walking cut out for us.
It’s very easy to make an idol out of your exercise routine. So, don’t let that be your number one concern. As you walk or exercise to shed those excess pounds, walk with the Lord to shed your burdens, guilt and worries as well. Jesus said to cast your cares on Him because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We do this by seeking out His will and plan for us on a daily basis through reading and meditating on the Word of God.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:2-5 ESV)
Exercising your mind and spirit should be equally important as exercising and walking for your physical health. Now, for those of you who may use lack of time as your excuse to not read the Bible on a regular basis, but find time to exercise, consider listening to God’s word through one of the many Bible apps available on your mobile device, instead of listening to music when you’re doing that routine. Naturally praise music is a wonderful to listen to, but there is power in the Word of God. When we offer songs of praise and thanksgiving to God with praise music, in essence we are communicating with Him. But, when we read or listen to God’s Word, He is communicating with us. If you want God’s best blessing for you in this new year, you must put Him first. You will be pleasantly surprised at the outcome mentally, physically and spiritually.
Checking out the latest styles and color trends for this new year is a great way to gain inspiration to get out of the rut we have all been stuck in during the past year. Self care is very important for your physical and mental well being. Trust the Lord moving forward and don’t let fear stop you from making that appointment at your salon. Follow the health and safety protocol if you are not at a high risk for complications with the virus; get out and live. Naturally that means proper hand washing, social distancing and wearing your mask when you go out. And first and foremost, get a beauty regime for your heart in place. I wrote about this in detail back in November. click here
I can’t stress enough the importance of daily time with the Lord. It will guard your heart and mind against idols, letting you clearly hear His voice telling you which way you should go for your best year yet. (You might even get insight on the best diet to go along with your exercise routine that you will be able to stick to.) All things are possible with God! We can all benefit from a clear path laid out before us showing us the way to go into 2021. ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Better things await us this year! I will be back next time forecasting some of the new hairstyle and color trends for 2021 and an update on those exercise goals that I set back in July 2020. In the mean time, may God bless you with a Happy and Healthy New Year! Thanks for reading and sharing my blog.
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