What’s New?
Is
for New
1.
Recently made or brought into
existence
Recently made or brought into
existence
2.
Novel or unusual.
Novel or unusual.
3.
Never existing before.
Never existing before.
New! I remember hearing the word, New, in reference to a newacquisition and the word is spoken with satisfaction and wonder. “It is brand new!” It is the ‘king of the mountain’ kind of
feeling. I have arrived! It’s an achievement. But that newness becomes dented, scarred,
acquires holes and different unwanted smells.
And we begin to look for a replacement for that brand new acquisition. It has lost its ‘shine.’
Several years ago we purchased a brand new car. We had our pictures taken in front of the car
for bragging rights. When all the papers
were signed, we completed the purchase we got in the car and drove home. As we drove home, my dear husband commented,
“Oh, oh.
Listen to that…our car is falling apart!” His constant barrage of negative comments
continues to be a source of amusement to me.
And a touch of the reality to come.
for bragging rights. When all the papers
were signed, we completed the purchase we got in the car and drove home. As we drove home, my dear husband commented,
“Oh, oh.
Listen to that…our car is falling apart!” His constant barrage of negative comments
continues to be a source of amusement to me.
And a touch of the reality to come.
Then there is the patina of age that covers an older item
with a glow of pleasure. I am thinking of the aluminum mixing bowl that is
nearing the age of 100 years that contains the dents of spoon scrapings. Each dent is memory of Mom stirring up
gingerbread and chocolate cake or beating bread dough between risings.
with a glow of pleasure. I am thinking of the aluminum mixing bowl that is
nearing the age of 100 years that contains the dents of spoon scrapings. Each dent is memory of Mom stirring up
gingerbread and chocolate cake or beating bread dough between risings.
What’s new? Sometimes our lives have the feeling of
sameness. Nothing ever seems
exciting. We don’t feel as if we ever
matter to anyone or make a difference.
Each day is the same as the day before.
When we feel lost in a big world and see others exhilarated by living,
we lose hope. We lose the hope of rising
above what is and ‘being’.
sameness. Nothing ever seems
exciting. We don’t feel as if we ever
matter to anyone or make a difference.
Each day is the same as the day before.
When we feel lost in a big world and see others exhilarated by living,
we lose hope. We lose the hope of rising
above what is and ‘being’.
There is One, who makes a difference for all of us. His name is used for cursing. His presence, though spirit, is often
forbidden.
forbidden.
My Mom used to receive mail.
She took a handful of mail from the box and held it in her hands. She chose one envelope and asked, “ I wonder
what is in this?” She turned the
mysterious envelope over and over, asking, “What could be in here?” “I wonder
who could have sent this?”
She took a handful of mail from the box and held it in her hands. She chose one envelope and asked, “ I wonder
what is in this?” She turned the
mysterious envelope over and over, asking, “What could be in here?” “I wonder
who could have sent this?”
By that time, I would have it opened and read. She knew how to anticipate and savor her mail
for the day. Finally, she slowly opened
the envelope with her long steel nail file and removed the contents of the
envelope.
for the day. Finally, she slowly opened
the envelope with her long steel nail file and removed the contents of the
envelope.
Mom lived anticipating a glorious day full of
surprises. One of her favorite verses
contained the word new…. Because of the
LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are
new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23
surprises. One of her favorite verses
contained the word new…. Because of the
LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are
new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23
How can anyone view each day with expectation and glory in
someone unseen? Becoming a new creation in Christ, does it. We see the mundane everyday work as a gift
and a means of serving in Jesus’ Name. The process is new every day. Reading His Word teaches, inspires, gives
hope and fills us with an inner peace – peace – not as the world gives, but
only as Jesus gives. Jesus gives purpose
to our lives. When you see the
happenings each day, not as drudgery, but as a gift from Jesus, you will be
blessed with adventure. You will see a chance
event as God’s plan that He planned for you.
You are a new creation…. Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is
here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
someone unseen? Becoming a new creation in Christ, does it. We see the mundane everyday work as a gift
and a means of serving in Jesus’ Name. The process is new every day. Reading His Word teaches, inspires, gives
hope and fills us with an inner peace – peace – not as the world gives, but
only as Jesus gives. Jesus gives purpose
to our lives. When you see the
happenings each day, not as drudgery, but as a gift from Jesus, you will be
blessed with adventure. You will see a chance
event as God’s plan that He planned for you.
You are a new creation…. Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is
here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
When my husband changed my name to his, I had a new
name. Combs wasn’t difficult to get used
to, but changing the heart is something else.
When we belong to Christ, we have a new name, and we give our heart to God. Whoever
has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is
victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person
a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives
it. Revelation 2:17
name. Combs wasn’t difficult to get used
to, but changing the heart is something else.
When we belong to Christ, we have a new name, and we give our heart to God. Whoever
has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is
victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person
a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives
it. Revelation 2:17
When we give our hearts to God, we have a new life – not of law but the Spirit and the Holy Spirit
gives us life. He has made us competent
as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the
letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6
gives us life. He has made us competent
as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the
letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6
With this new life, we learn a new song to sing – Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done
marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for
him. Psalm 98:1
marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for
him. Psalm 98:1
Jesus came to make a new lasting covenant. In the same way, after supper he took the
cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you
drink it, in remembrance of me.” I Corinthians 11:25. Remembering is difficult. Life on earth gets in the way, and we forget
just how marvelous a promise we have – an inheritance beyond any other. For
this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are
called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a
ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15
cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you
drink it, in remembrance of me.” I Corinthians 11:25. Remembering is difficult. Life on earth gets in the way, and we forget
just how marvelous a promise we have – an inheritance beyond any other. For
this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are
called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a
ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15
The Promise is this:
“See, I will create new heavens
and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come
to mind. Isaiah 65:17 Can you imagine that former things will not
be remembered? The life on earth that is
so now. It is not all there is. If we are in Christ Jesus, we are His. Not just for this life but forever and ever.
“See, I will create new heavens
and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come
to mind. Isaiah 65:17 Can you imagine that former things will not
be remembered? The life on earth that is
so now. It is not all there is. If we are in Christ Jesus, we are His. Not just for this life but forever and ever.
The one who
is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will
they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city
of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God;
and I will also write on them my new name. Revelation 3:12
is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will
they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city
of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God;
and I will also write on them my new name. Revelation 3:12
Whenever things seem slow, and you feel that time is
standing still, remember that God’s love and His Way is ever new. What is new with you?
standing still, remember that God’s love and His Way is ever new. What is new with you?
Comments? eacombs@att.net