Looking for God’s New Life
“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?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise.
Isaiah 43:18-21
Sometimes, we simply need to be reminded that we belong to a God who loves to do new things.
Psalm 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Psalm 98:1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things.
Lamentations 3:22-24 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
God brings a fresh newness into our experience and walk with Him if we are willing to anticipate His promise. Fresh water. New songs. New experiences of His love, His mercy, His faithfulness. New spiritual growth from the inside out. A promise of a new eternal home.
LOOKING FOR GOD’S NEW LIFE
I look down into the brown remnants of last year’s landscaping. A closer look reveals small green sprouts – new life — pushing skyward through the old. God’s promise is new life, the life found in the resurrection of His Son from the darkness of death.
Let’s wrap our hearts around the daily experience of new life we have being connected in Christ together. Shall we not pray and anticipate together something new from the Lord? “I have come to give life,” Jesus declared, “Abundant life!” (John 10:10). There is a fresh expression of the Lord of life on the way.
So, let the Spirit of God flow through you. Let God make your every day (the Word, prayer). Share your tough stuff with cherished spiritual friends. Pray about sharing Jesus’ resurrection with someone who hasn’t yet met Him. Respond to the Spirit’s prompting to serve in a ministry. Invest generously, putting treasure where it will last.
There are, I believe, joyful refreshing days ahead for the Christ Community Church family. 2021 can be our best year ever!
So come back to in-person worship, being ready not just to receive, but to give God’s life-giving encouragement. Let’s celebrate 16 wonderful baptisms on Resurrection Sunday, April 4th. Let’s recommit to the Lord and to one another, parting the fog so that the sun of the Lord’s light and life shines more brilliantly than ever. And, let’s anticipate a fresh season of fruitful ministry as Pastor Kyle steps into the Lead Pastor role (June 1).
Do something new, Lord! We’re ready.