December 30, 2019
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
ONLY A NEW HEART CAN MAKE A NEW YEAR.
“There is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, See, this new? It has already been in ancient times before us.” Eccl. 1: 9, 10.
The only things that can be made brand new, inside out, according the only One who has and “creates/makes all things new” (Ps. 51:10; Eze. 11:19: 18: 30-32; 36: 26; Heb. 8: 9-13; 10: 16, 17), producing “the new creature/creation where old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Here’s “the truth as it in Jesus”—“that we put off, concerning our former conduct, the old man, which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of our mind, that we put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4: 17-24).
This is the only way we obtain the right to expect 2020 to be a truly new year. Anything else or less is the “old man” with an “old heart” with “filthy garments.” If we refuse to learn from history, and 2019 is already history, we are naturally inclined to repeat the errors of the past and carry them forward to the next year. All things on fallen earth, under our own sun is getting older everyday, every year.
Moreover, “the love of the world and the things of the world, the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life are all passing away” (1 John 2:15-17), “even the heavens will pass away… the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up and dissolved.”(2 Pet. 3:10-12).
But the new-covenant, faithful-to-the-end remnant who “overcome the “great dragon, that old serpent called the Devil and Satan” “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12: 9, 11) will receive “a new name” (Rev.2:17; 3:12; 22:4); sing a new song”(Rev. 5:9; 14:3), and will have this right to the tree of life that never grew old! “Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life.” Rev. 22:14.
Jesus said “Without Me ye can do nothing”(John 15:5). “But with God all things are possible”(Matt.19:26). Offer this prayer for the new year: “Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unChristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul”(COL 160) making me a channel of blessing to others this New Year 2020. In Jesus’ name, Amen. The old, old story that never grows old is about Jesus and His love! NMF