So, have you seen any evidence that He's making something new? Have you noticed a straighter walk or tied newness to yourself yet? There really is more to this life, although sometimes it's so fast and loud that we begin to doubt it could ever be different. Still, I hope you'll be intentional in trusting at least these 2 things: 1 - He is making all things new. 2 - And no matter how you feel, you are new too. You can tie that truth to yourself and walk through each day. At first it may feel funny, like a splint, but given time, you will see your brokenness begin to heal and the path you are walking will become straighter. As I began studying this, I asked my readers (who I love and appreciate very much, by the way) to tell me what the word NEW meant to them. Here are some of the responses:
I loved all of these responses and when I thought about them in perspective of my life in Christ, the word new really does bring excitement. When we accept the fact that we are new, we can realize that we are NOT tarnished, we have a do-over, we bear no scratches or dents when He looks at us. We haven't be used in the bad sense of the word, but we are ready to be used by Him. He sees have no mistakes, the slate is clean and knowing this truth really is exciting, both to Him and to us. Speaking of new stuff, I always loved baby dolls, Barbie dolls, and the like, especially new ones. I remember as a young girl walking down the doll aisle of the store staring into those boxes of new dolls. I admired their clean faces, shiny hair, brand new outfits and pretty eyes. At Christmas or on my birthday, my parent's often got me some sort of new doll. Oh, the wonder I had as I pulled her out of the box, loving and admiring her newness, so careful to not mess up her hair or scuff her body. Over time, though, I would become used to her and not be quite so careful. I would leave her outside on the swing set, or in the bedroom floor under a pile of who knows what, and forget about her for a while. Sweet sister, in Christ, you are that new. You have the shiny hair, the pretty eyes, you are unstained, you are just-out-of-the-box kind of new. Don't take that for granted as time passes and leave that newness under a pile of who knows what and forget. It is yours to keep and wear. Usually, I pick a word to apply to my life for the year instead of making a new year's resolution. As a I began seeking what my word would be for this year, I knew that He wanted me to concentrate on new. 
He can use new to touch my life in so many ways. Remind me of who I am and remind me to respond to situations or decisions in a new way, not the way I always have. I really feel He can do great work if I allow Him to make some things new in me. To keep my word at the front of my mind and heart, I ordered a dictionary necklace from Krafty Kash. I just love it. 
I loved how the words that show say "discover a new plan". He has a new plan for me and for you! I loved it so much that I ordered another one to give away here! If you leave a comment telling me what you have learned about being new, I will draw from the comments on Sunday, February 23! As I said earlier, I loved all of your definitions of new, but my favorite was this one: New doesn't have limits, only possibilities. And that, my friends, is what God says about you. In Him, you have no limits, only possibilities. Where will you walk with those possibilities in 2014? The choice is yours. Let's close out this series with this verse, I think it fits perfectly: Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Peace and mercy be upon you friends as you walk in your new life under this sun. By the way, if you have a word for this year and would like a necklace yourself, Krafty Kash can make you one with whatever word you like. Use the coupon code ONEWORD, and she will give you free shipping! How about that?! XOXO, |
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We've already spent quite a bit of time on what it means to be new, so if you're a newbie to this series you can catch up here:
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How can you be who you already are? If your thoughts are anything like mine, I need some practical answers because I don't want to be like the Athenians, always looking for something new, left to my on devices, that's where I'll be!
To find out the how, we need to look at Galatians 6 -
To find out the how, we need to look at Galatians 6 -
May it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Galatians 6:14-16
There was big debate amongst the people about whether you had to be circumcised or not. Paul puts the argument to rest by saying that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision meant anything, they weren't important, but what was important was being a new creation.
Circumcision was performed by the Jews to symbolize being set apart. It was a rule they followed, so to speak. It was something they could "do". What Paul is saying is the law they followed, or the "good-girl Christian rules" we follow, are meaningless. They don't make a difference. What was important was the rule of being brand new. This should be a relief to us, friends! It's exciting to me! It's not up to me or my actions, my list of dos and don'ts, whether or not I succeed in fitting the Christian mold, it's about who I am, and His word says I am brand new if I am in Christ. (2 Cor 5:17)
I'll give you a minute to dance around in relief and excitement........
Now that we've celebrated, let's look at the next verse -
Circumcision was performed by the Jews to symbolize being set apart. It was a rule they followed, so to speak. It was something they could "do". What Paul is saying is the law they followed, or the "good-girl Christian rules" we follow, are meaningless. They don't make a difference. What was important was the rule of being brand new. This should be a relief to us, friends! It's exciting to me! It's not up to me or my actions, my list of dos and don'ts, whether or not I succeed in fitting the Christian mold, it's about who I am, and His word says I am brand new if I am in Christ. (2 Cor 5:17)
I'll give you a minute to dance around in relief and excitement........
Now that we've celebrated, let's look at the next verse -
And those who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Galatians 6:16
Those who walk by this rule...What rule? The importance of being a new creation.
The world rule is pretty neat here. It is equivalent to a word describing a rod or a piece of wood that something is fastened to keep it straight. What happens to your arm if you break it and don't have a cast put on the arm while it grows and heals? The broken arm will heal crooked.
What do you do when you break a finger? You bind it with something to keep it straight, a popsicle stick works wonders!
Sometimes we have to stake a small sapling to help it grow into a straight, beautiful tree.
Similar to all these examples, we have to bind ourselves to the importance of being a new creation to keep us walking straight on His path, to keep us growing in the direction of the things of God.
And when we walk by this rule, we have peace and mercy upon us! I don't know about you, but I could always use some peace and I need all of God's mercy a girl can get.
What can we do to begin this year as who we are, NEW?
The world rule is pretty neat here. It is equivalent to a word describing a rod or a piece of wood that something is fastened to keep it straight. What happens to your arm if you break it and don't have a cast put on the arm while it grows and heals? The broken arm will heal crooked.
What do you do when you break a finger? You bind it with something to keep it straight, a popsicle stick works wonders!
Sometimes we have to stake a small sapling to help it grow into a straight, beautiful tree.
Similar to all these examples, we have to bind ourselves to the importance of being a new creation to keep us walking straight on His path, to keep us growing in the direction of the things of God.
And when we walk by this rule, we have peace and mercy upon us! I don't know about you, but I could always use some peace and I need all of God's mercy a girl can get.
What can we do to begin this year as who we are, NEW?
N - No. Ask God if there is anything in my life I need to say, "No" to. Whether it be activities, habits, relationships, if it doesn't reflect who God says I am, I should say no to it. This will probably be hard, and it may be painful, but it's not who I am, and I can't go around being someone I'm not. I am new. I am not old. Old is gone. New has come. If we go around acting like the old us, we're faking it!
E - Explore Him. Spend time in prayer getting to know Him. Dig into His word, one verse at a time if you need to, so that you can learn more about Him. The more you know Him, the more like Him you will see yourself become.
W - Walk and Worship. Walk through each day as you are, brand new. Tie yourself to the importance of being a new creation and worship Him with your life and your choices. You may not see the difference at first, but if we believe Revelation 21:5, we will see how He makes ALL things NEW!
We'll wrap up this series on Redefining N.E.W. next time, and I just might have a gift for you! {wink}
Oh, daughter of the King, you are worth more to Him that you could ever know.
E - Explore Him. Spend time in prayer getting to know Him. Dig into His word, one verse at a time if you need to, so that you can learn more about Him. The more you know Him, the more like Him you will see yourself become.
W - Walk and Worship. Walk through each day as you are, brand new. Tie yourself to the importance of being a new creation and worship Him with your life and your choices. You may not see the difference at first, but if we believe Revelation 21:5, we will see how He makes ALL things NEW!
We'll wrap up this series on Redefining N.E.W. next time, and I just might have a gift for you! {wink}
Oh, daughter of the King, you are worth more to Him that you could ever know.
XOXO,
Amy
Hey there, Newbie Friends!
How is new you fitting these days? The last time we chatted together about this, we focused on the familiar verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17
How is new you fitting these days? The last time we chatted together about this, we focused on the familiar verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
We realized that since this verse says any man, we fall into the category of any! This applies to us and we also noticed that this verse was talking about the here and now, not the some day. It says IS a new creature, not will be. IS. We just need to be who the scripture says we already are.
We built upon what we had already learned in Part 1
Now, let's add all that together-
1. There is nothing new under the sun. New meant fresh.
2. God is not under the sun, but on His throne, making all things new.
3. Any applies to you and me if we are in Christ and we're not waiting for someday, we IS new!
4. We just need to be who we already are.
Now that we've spent a few moments in the classroom, let's take a little field trip. Get your passport, cause we're going to Athens to peek in on Paul for a bit.
In Acts 17, starting around verse 16, Paul has arrived in Athens and is waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him. While he is waiting, he began to get a little worked up at the environment around him. The place was full of idols. This bothers him so much that he goes to the synagogue to discuss it with the Jews. He also talks it over with the God fearing Gentiles. He even brings it up in the day to day activity of the marketplace. He brings it up to whoever will listen. Paul tells them about Jesus and they think he's weird, some want to hear more, some do not.
There is a striking resemblance in these Athenians to us today, and it's stares back at us from verse 21.
We built upon what we had already learned in Part 1
- There is nothing new under the sun. New meant "fresh".
- God is not under the sun, but on His throne
- And He is making ALL things new.
Now, let's add all that together-
1. There is nothing new under the sun. New meant fresh.
2. God is not under the sun, but on His throne, making all things new.
3. Any applies to you and me if we are in Christ and we're not waiting for someday, we IS new!
4. We just need to be who we already are.
Now that we've spent a few moments in the classroom, let's take a little field trip. Get your passport, cause we're going to Athens to peek in on Paul for a bit.
In Acts 17, starting around verse 16, Paul has arrived in Athens and is waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him. While he is waiting, he began to get a little worked up at the environment around him. The place was full of idols. This bothers him so much that he goes to the synagogue to discuss it with the Jews. He also talks it over with the God fearing Gentiles. He even brings it up in the day to day activity of the marketplace. He brings it up to whoever will listen. Paul tells them about Jesus and they think he's weird, some want to hear more, some do not.
There is a striking resemblance in these Athenians to us today, and it's stares back at us from verse 21.
Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.
Sounds shockingly familiar and this was 2000 years ago! People were always looking for something new then too, and we. are. still. lookin.
Paul tried to share the Good News with them, he tried to share Jesus, the Good News the angel proclaimed to the shepherds in the Christmas story. (Luke 2:10). Did you noticed what God has tucked inside that little phrase Good News?
The very thing the people in Athens were searching for, and it's the very thing we long for - NEW.
As in the past verses we've looked at, new here means fresh, and we've already discovered there is nothing fresh under the sun. So unless the Athenians chose to accept the Gospel, I can assure you they never found anything new, and the were wasting their time.
So are we.
Just like these people, we get to decide whether we believe this or whether we want to keep searching for something we aren't going to find under the sun.
When we accept His gift, we are made new, everything about us that was old is gone. It's about being who we already are. We'll talk about how we do that in Redefining New - Part 4.
Until then, rest from the search for something new. New was born in Bethlehem.
Just for you.
Paul tried to share the Good News with them, he tried to share Jesus, the Good News the angel proclaimed to the shepherds in the Christmas story. (Luke 2:10). Did you noticed what God has tucked inside that little phrase Good News?
The very thing the people in Athens were searching for, and it's the very thing we long for - NEW.
As in the past verses we've looked at, new here means fresh, and we've already discovered there is nothing fresh under the sun. So unless the Athenians chose to accept the Gospel, I can assure you they never found anything new, and the were wasting their time.
So are we.
Just like these people, we get to decide whether we believe this or whether we want to keep searching for something we aren't going to find under the sun.
When we accept His gift, we are made new, everything about us that was old is gone. It's about being who we already are. We'll talk about how we do that in Redefining New - Part 4.
Until then, rest from the search for something new. New was born in Bethlehem.
Just for you.
XOXO,
Amy
Last time we chatted about "New", we covered 3 things
- There is nothing new under the sun. New meant "fresh".
- God is not under the sun, but on His throne
- And He is making ALL things new.
Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
There are a couple of things to realize in this verse that we may easily overlooked because of its familiarity.
1. Read over those words again. Who does this verse apply to?
Any person who is in Christ. Any. Not some. Not the girl who you think has this Jesus thing down better than you. Not just Mother Theresa.
If you are in Christ, it applies to YOU.
2. Now that we know who it applies to, do you see the word when anywhere in this verse?
No. It's not there. But the word IS is there!
Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he IS a new creature.
Not he will be. He IS.
We've believed a lie for far too long that we aren't any different because we don't feel different, or we don't see anything different about ourselves once we are in Christ. This is an example of the biblical concept of walking by faith and not by sight. Are we going to believe what we feel? Are we going to believe what someone else tells us?
Or are we going to believe what God says?
He says you are new. Feelings come and go, but truth never changes and this is a truth that you can cling to forever!
Remember that NEW in Ecclesiastes meant fresh? That's what it means here too. It means fresh, unused, unworn. If you are in Christ you are a fresh, unused, unworn creature. You may feel worn and you may feel like this world has used you, but God sees the brand new in you, sweet sister.
You are already new.
The old things are gone.
Now let's get practical for a minute. Let's just say that I got all health conscious and lost 40 pounds. The clothes I have don't fit me properly anymore, so my friend and I go shopping and we buy me a whole new wardrobe. Now, we'll also suppose Todd is real generous with the budget for this little trip, and we get some things that rock the preacher wife working mommy fashion world. Would I bring my new clothes home and hang them in my closet but keep wearing the ones that don't fit? Would I keep wearing the things that make me look I'm wearing a frumpy (my mom's word) potato sack? No, I wouldn't. I have a new me, but if I keep wearing my fat clothes, no one will ever see the new me would they?
Why would I not wear what fits me now? We just have to be who this verse says we already are.
New creatures.
Whether we feel it or not.
You are already new. You are unworn. You are unused. You are fresh. We can be new because this newness comes from Christ, Who isn't under the sun.
Part 3 coming soon - stay tuned my NEWBIE friends ;-)
1. Read over those words again. Who does this verse apply to?
Any person who is in Christ. Any. Not some. Not the girl who you think has this Jesus thing down better than you. Not just Mother Theresa.
If you are in Christ, it applies to YOU.
2. Now that we know who it applies to, do you see the word when anywhere in this verse?
No. It's not there. But the word IS is there!
Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he IS a new creature.
Not he will be. He IS.
We've believed a lie for far too long that we aren't any different because we don't feel different, or we don't see anything different about ourselves once we are in Christ. This is an example of the biblical concept of walking by faith and not by sight. Are we going to believe what we feel? Are we going to believe what someone else tells us?
Or are we going to believe what God says?
He says you are new. Feelings come and go, but truth never changes and this is a truth that you can cling to forever!
Remember that NEW in Ecclesiastes meant fresh? That's what it means here too. It means fresh, unused, unworn. If you are in Christ you are a fresh, unused, unworn creature. You may feel worn and you may feel like this world has used you, but God sees the brand new in you, sweet sister.
You are already new.
The old things are gone.
Now let's get practical for a minute. Let's just say that I got all health conscious and lost 40 pounds. The clothes I have don't fit me properly anymore, so my friend and I go shopping and we buy me a whole new wardrobe. Now, we'll also suppose Todd is real generous with the budget for this little trip, and we get some things that rock the preacher wife working mommy fashion world. Would I bring my new clothes home and hang them in my closet but keep wearing the ones that don't fit? Would I keep wearing the things that make me look I'm wearing a frumpy (my mom's word) potato sack? No, I wouldn't. I have a new me, but if I keep wearing my fat clothes, no one will ever see the new me would they?
Why would I not wear what fits me now? We just have to be who this verse says we already are.
New creatures.
Whether we feel it or not.
You are already new. You are unworn. You are unused. You are fresh. We can be new because this newness comes from Christ, Who isn't under the sun.
Part 3 coming soon - stay tuned my NEWBIE friends ;-)
Father, I pray for these daughters of yours to have the courage to stop wearing the frumpy potato sack and dressing like the new women they are in You. It's easy to always go back to what we're comfortable wearing, no matter how old it is. Help us accept the "new wardrobe", and wear You. Make us sick of the old us and want to start all over being new in You.
XOXO,
Amy
Yes, I know I'm a little late for a post about new year's resolutions, here we are almost 2 weeks into the new year and I'm just now mentioning it. Believe it or not, I waited on purpose.
Remember this post where I asked you to help me define the word new? I got some great feedback from several of you in the comments and by email. I've been studying this word and shared a message with a ladies group last week on this subject, but as usual, when I prepare something, I'm the one who learns. So thankful God always ready to teach me something, well, NEW...
Here we are in the first few weeks of 2014 and all around us we're hearing about resolutions, goals, theme words, etc, etc. Magazine covers promise 5 steps to a new you. Organization ideas are plentiful.
Every year, the calendar flips and we look for a clean slate. We look for a new beginning, excited to push reset and try again.
The question that bugs me is -
Remember this post where I asked you to help me define the word new? I got some great feedback from several of you in the comments and by email. I've been studying this word and shared a message with a ladies group last week on this subject, but as usual, when I prepare something, I'm the one who learns. So thankful God always ready to teach me something, well, NEW...
Here we are in the first few weeks of 2014 and all around us we're hearing about resolutions, goals, theme words, etc, etc. Magazine covers promise 5 steps to a new you. Organization ideas are plentiful.
Every year, the calendar flips and we look for a clean slate. We look for a new beginning, excited to push reset and try again.
The question that bugs me is -
When December 31, 2014 rolls around, will we still be seeking another new? Again?
Reflecting on what new meant, the words of Ecclesiastes 1, written by King Solomon, who was well-known for his wisdom, came to my mind --
"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity."
What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?
A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.
Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; and hastening to its place it rises there again.
Blowing toward the south, then turning toward the north, the wind continues swirling along;
and on its circular courses the wind returns.
All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow,
there they flow again.
All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear satisfied with hearing.
That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done.
So, there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:2-9
These words don't sound very promising or full of hope, do they? It sounds like a description of the vicious cycle of our lives. The sun rises, the sun sets; a generation comes, a generation goes; rivers flow to the sea, then back to where they started, the wind just blows in a big circle, starting all over again.
and.... the eye is not satisfied with seeing, and the ear is not satisfied with hearing.
Sounds like me...always wanting to see or hear something new.
Then it has to go on and say that there is NOTHING NEW under the sun.
Ughghghgh!!!
That word new in this verse means fresh. There's nothing fresh under the sun.
Where are we?
Aren't we under the sun?
Yes.
Nothing new under the sun. Sounds kind of depressing, especially in the throes of a new year when we look for a new start, right? So is there nothing new here? Does this mean there is no hope for us? Nothing new to look forward to? No new beginnings?
This world is going to stay as it is - broken.
It says there is nothing new UNDER the sun, nothing new here on this earth, BUT Creator God is not under the sun, friends. Take a look at Revelation 21:5
and.... the eye is not satisfied with seeing, and the ear is not satisfied with hearing.
Sounds like me...always wanting to see or hear something new.
Then it has to go on and say that there is NOTHING NEW under the sun.
Ughghghgh!!!
That word new in this verse means fresh. There's nothing fresh under the sun.
Where are we?
Aren't we under the sun?
Yes.
Nothing new under the sun. Sounds kind of depressing, especially in the throes of a new year when we look for a new start, right? So is there nothing new here? Does this mean there is no hope for us? Nothing new to look forward to? No new beginnings?
This world is going to stay as it is - broken.
It says there is nothing new UNDER the sun, nothing new here on this earth, BUT Creator God is not under the sun, friends. Take a look at Revelation 21:5
And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
God is not under the sun, He is on His throne.
And He is making all things new.
That is something to rejoice about, He is not limited to working in this space under the sun. He can work from home, so to speak and He's doing quite a job.
Join me for part 2 next time. I think you'll like it!
And He is making all things new.
That is something to rejoice about, He is not limited to working in this space under the sun. He can work from home, so to speak and He's doing quite a job.
Join me for part 2 next time. I think you'll like it!
XOXO,
Amy
Can you help me with something?
I'm working on something and need a little feed back from my friends.
I need to define the word "New" from real people.
Here goes......
What does the word "new" mean to you?
What feelings or thoughts come to mind when you hear or see the word "new"?
Do you have any new year's resolutions?
Drop me a comment below with your answers. I would appreciate it so much!
I'm working on something and need a little feed back from my friends.
I need to define the word "New" from real people.
Here goes......
What does the word "new" mean to you?
What feelings or thoughts come to mind when you hear or see the word "new"?
Do you have any new year's resolutions?
Drop me a comment below with your answers. I would appreciate it so much!
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