Monthly Archives: December 2011

2012 is a New Year

Spiritual Food

2 Cor 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation…

In case you were not aware 2011 is over.  It has passed away and there is no going back.  Yes, there were some horrible things that happened last year, but there were also some great things.  One of those great things was that you made it.  Many people did not, some gave up, some simply gave out and numerous were just not able to hold on.  But you made it and it was only because of God’s precious Grace, given to us in His beautiful Son Jesus.  If you are or would dare to be IN Christ I have a few things to share with you about 2012.
First, IN is the Greek word En, which means to be inside or with, it is a primary preposition denoting (a fixed) position. When we are inside and with Jesus Christ, then we are where He is and are given the authority that He has.  In 2012 you are seated at God’s right hand, in heavenly places (Eph 1:20 & Heb 8:1) and you have been given all authority in the earth (Matt 28:18; 1 Cor 15:24: Titus 2:15).  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ:

  1. We Become New: “he is a new creation.”  As we move into 2012, it is important to remember that when we are IN Christ you are a new creation. Kainos is the Greek word for new used in this text meaning recently made, fresh or unused.  Although each of us has a past, we have been made brand new; no damage, no cracks.  While our flesh may look the same (a few cracks here and there), we (our inner man) are made new, because we are IN (inside, with) Christ.  Now because we know we are new, our 2012 will be exciting.
  2. The Past is Finished: “old things have passed away.”  Many people will continue to bring up our past, the person we once were and even what we did in 2011.  Just remember, everything that happened has passed away, it is over, has perished and was dealt with by God.  You see everything that is in our past, Jesus bore on His own body when He died on the cross (1 Pet 2:24).  Because of Jesus and His finished work on the Cross, all of our past has passed away, and there is no condemnation for any of it (Rom 8:1).  Going into 2012, remember, the past is finished.
  3. The Future is Bright: “all things have become new.”  With all of the old passing away, what will happen in our future?  The Greek word for become means to come into existence, to begin to be, to receive; 2012 will be brand new.  Our Future is new because the Lord has carefully planned it out for us (Jer 29:11) and aspart of that plan God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ (vs 18) and He has given us the ministry of reconciliation.  Our future is bright because God desires that others see our relationship with Him and He uses us to introduce others to Him.  Get ready to “bling” in 2012, because God plans to put you in the spotlight!!

Conclusions:  The past has faded away and will no longer cause us any harm, there is nothing we can do about it, except allow the Lord to teach and heal us from it.  Go into 2012 knowing that God is going to make it bright, not just for us but for His Glory.  This means His light in us will shine brighter than ever and it will be seen by God’s unmerited favor on our lives.  We will see open doors, new relationships, divine protection and provision, great wisdom and the revelation of God’s love toward each one of us.  I hope you are ready to shine in 2012, BEHOLD all things have become new.

God Was Thinking of You on Christmas

God Loves You

Matt 1:22-23 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

As Christmas nears, many prepare to celebrate with family and friends, while others attempt to hold it together because of the sadness this time brings.  Regardless of which side of the fence you stand on I want you to know that God is always thinking about you.  This Christmas as we remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, I propose to you that God would say that You are the reason for the season.  What?? You arrogant, selfish, blankety-blank!!!  Hold on, give a brother a chance and hear me out…..

God had you on His mind when He created Christmas, you were the reason He sent His Son; let’s look at Matthew’s Gospel:

  1. Christmas Fulfilled the Word: So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord.  The prophet Isaiah declared a Word which was spoken by the Lord over 700 years prior to what we celebrate every year.  It is amazing, the glorious plan that God put in place for each one of us so long ago.  Isaiah’s prophecy was not the only Word from God that has been (will be) fulfilled because Jesus came on that day we would come to know as Christmas.  Lives were saved, bodies were healed, hearts were restored and miracles were witnessed just as it was previously declared, God’s word was fulfilled because Jesus came.  Christ’s birth initiated the fulfillment of a series of Old Testament scriptures, which includes the day He declared you would become His child.  Oh, you have not accepted Him as Savior yet?  Don’t worry; Scripture is still being fulfilled as you read, so it is just a matter of time.
  2. Christmas Fascinated the World: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son.  Have you ever heard of a virgin having a child?  Neither had Joseph and Mary, or anyone else for that matter.  But this would not be His only mind boggling miracle, He would continue to blow the minds of everyone you could imagine. I know that He blows my mind all of the time.  Jesus fascinated the Wise Men and Shepherds the day He was born, then later He has fascinated so many by feeding thousands with a couple of fish; stopped a hurricane with a simple word; told a dead man to get up; took a wretch like me and declared me righteous, his miracles never cease.  Oh, He hasn’t fascinated you yet?  Don’t worry minds are still being blown as you read; yours will too.
  3. Christmas Finished the Work: and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  Because God Himself came to live with us, we no longer have to continue to work for God’s presence.  You see there was a time before Christ that we were required to uphold a set of regulations larger than the entire constitution, just to be considered in good standing with God.  We could not keep all but one and be in good standing.  Nope, if we failed to do one we were condemned.  All of the good we could even think to do would not matter because when Adam sinned we had nothing to offer.  Paul said like this in Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.  Most know these as the commandments, but God would refer to them as the “Ministry of Death.”  Oh, but on Christmas, it is God with us  that allowed a way for all work to be finished; our sins covered forever and the Law to be fulfilled.  We never have to work for God’s acceptance, because He is with us.  Before Jesus came we needed a mediator, but when He came everything has shifted. Oh, you’re still working to get to God?  Don’t worry I have some good news for you, Christ finished that work for you on Calvary.

Conclusion:  As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, never forget God had this day in mind as the beginning of a great plan that we now are able to receive as a gift today.  It is a gift that keeps on giving to us, and they shall call His name Immanuel.  Merry Christmas!!!  Jesus is the reason we celebrate but we are the reason that God did initiate.