My Family, and I used to be in a Church where the Pastor preached the same message every New year. His message was, “We can begin again”. He said, “It is time to leave behind old hurts from things said and done to us, and memories of betrayals, and the anger that we have held because of the disappointments in and from those in our lives.” Or as a Friend said, “It is time to cut the chain.” The chain around our neck that pulls the old life sucking stuff with us wherever we go – it is time to ‘cut that chain’. Time to begin again with a new year and a clean slate. But how do we do that?
We ask the Lord to fill us with His presence of Love, and Joy, and Peace, and Patience, and Kindness, and Goodness, and Faithfulness, and Gentleness, and Self Control – The fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22) When we are filled with His presence, His fruit, there is no room for bitterness, and anger, and resentment. How do we get this fruit, we ASK.
The Lord said, ” Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead.? Or if we asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Luke 11: 11-13)
May we ‘cut the chain’ – May we begin again ‘filled’ with the fruit of the Holy Spirit – May we decide to let go of the old, and let God be all He chooses to be in our lives this year. Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive. Seek and your shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11: 9-10) The Lord gave His life for us to have the freedom to ask for these things. Let us believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ that provided this for us, and A S K.! Our lives will change as we receive.
May the Lord Bless you, and keep you, and yours, God’s Beloveds. May this be a year of miracles, grace, and love for each of us – starting now.
Poppa B.
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On Line.