In With The New
January 3-9, 2021 – Milton Dalida
Many of us have heard the saying, “Out with the old, and in with the new.” Or how about, “It’s just water under the bridge.” It’s easy to be comfortable and complacent doing the same routine over and over again. After all, change can be a difficult experience. Lucifer instigated change in heaven. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:7-10) Jesus instigates change on earth. (Matthew 4:17; 1 John 1:9) Which change will offer you and me an eternity in heaven with Jesus?
The year 2020 has been an “interesting” experience – the pandemic, loss of jobs and businesses, loss of loved ones, various protests and rioting, sheltering in place and economic shut downs, in-person schooling canceled, the election, etc. Many are glad to leave year 2020 behind and look forward to what lies ahead in 2021. Why? They’re hoping for a positive change. Jesus is offering a positive change in your new life if you would just give up your old life for Him. Not necessarily just a change in your actions, but a change in your spirituality, mentality, and beliefs. This is the meaning behind baptism. (Romans 6:4-6)
Are you tired and weary of the cares of this world? Fear not, for Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to help us through it. (John 14:15-17; John 15:26) We wish the cells of our old body would be made new again just as the days of our youth. But, Satan loves putting the weight of sin in the world on your shoulders. He loves seeing our hope of life being crushed. Fortunately, we don’t have to rely on our own understanding or our own volition to remove this weight. When Jesus comes a second time, believers in Christ (those living and those being resurrected) will be changed in a twinkling of an eye! (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) That’s when we will be able to lift this burden off and lift our hands up to glorify our Lord and Savior.
In this new year, let us continue to fulfill the Great Commission and be fishers of men. (Matthew 28:16-20) The year 2020 will forever be part of our lives. Let 2021 be the year we serve God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. (Matthew 22:34-40) I pray for peace in your hearts and in your lives.
Happy New Year brothers and sisters in Christ!