It's difficult sometimes to step from old habits into new ones.
That's why New Year's resolutions are often made. Each of us wish to make New Beginnings.
If you think about it, it's somewhat redundant to say the words: NEW BEGINNINGS.
Beginnings by nature are new already. But of course, we're talking about making some new beginnings in the sense of starting all over with some things - hoping to do them better. So, let's think about how to make a start all over again.
Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Beginning...something New by God.
Genesis 1:31 (ESV)
31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
God's pleasure lies in making things "good". It is his delight to have us experience "good" in all that we do.
Think about this, for all that has happened in our lives - whether we enjoyed it, or are enduring it - God says that what he desires of us can be for good.
One of my closest friend's mother passed away yesterday.
Two of our fellowship's men are battling cancer.
A friend's daughter is struggling with an uncertain future with disease.
The creation isn't working the way God intended it to, but that does not mean that God is not good...it simply means that his redemption is at work in ways that truly redeems what he loves - us - from all that is evil. Job's story is the story of God's redemption of that which is evil. At the end of it all...
Job 42:12 (ESV)
12 And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning..."
12 And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning..."
and think about this:
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV)
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
So how do we see God in new beginnings?
Here's a basic idea...in His Word.
John 1:1-2 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
Today I began another year of reading through the scripture. It's a habit that has been going on for 25+ years...I've lost track, and frankly it doesn't matter.
It's not how many times I go through the word of God that matters; It's how many times the word of God goes through me!
Want to join me in reading through the scripture this year? Try this web site and check out the plans. The one I'm doing this year is under "Whole Bible" and it's the "Chronological Reading Plan" in the ESV Bible.
https://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/5-chronological
Peace, and HAPPY NEW YEAR
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