A New Beginning
In this hustle bustle, fast paced, non-stop world that we live in, there comes a time in our lives when we need to stop and reflect on our past accomplishments. We need to take inventory of our lives and see just where we’re going. God gives us this opportunity once every year at the New Year. When the New Year begins we can pause and reflect on the past year and know that old things are done away with and new things are ahead of us. At the beginning of the year most of us make new commitments or resolutions for the year ahead.
In the Bible in 2 Kings 2:19-22, Elisha was told of a city that was a pleasant city, but the water was contaminated. It was not fit for man, animal or for growing crops. The prophet asked for a new cruse (bottle) to be brought to him. In it he placed salt, he then poured the salt from the bottle into the water supply. As soon as this was done the water became pure, clean and drinkable. In this instance the water, which is the essence of life, was made new and fresh. Gone forever was the old stagnant water.
As you begin a new year, old things are passed away and new things are about to begin. Whatever has happened in your live in 2017 is now gone and done away with and 2018 now confronts you.
You can also begin a new spiritual life as the New Year begins. Jesus Christ can give you a new life in Him. A new beginning. More than any good thing that we might desire to happen in the New Year we need Jesus Christ in our lives. He is that essence of life, and He gives us living water. Unlike that natural water that Elisha made pure, the living water that Jesus gives us will satisfy for Jesus said, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14).
We live in a marvelous age of technology, entertainment and comforts. But what good will any of these technological wonders be to us in eternity. Eternal life is what is most important. We cannot escape the truth that when we lay on our pillows at night we come face to face with ourselves. With our accomplishment and failures. If your life is contaminated by sin and you are wanting a way to rid yourself of the contamination then, like the prophet who acted by putting salt into the water and it was made new and useable, you too, can do something about making your live new again. When Jesus is put into your life He will overcome the contamination that sin has caused. Jesus can give you a new beginning. But like the prophet, we must act to make that new beginning for ourselves. Inner joy and peace cannot be found in the things of this earth. Jesus can give you that joy and peace that you have been seeking in your life. Jesus will give you something that is eternal, that will not fade with time or diminish in value.
At this New Year as you make resolutions for the coming year, why not stop and reflect on your spiritual life. Why not resolve for the New Year to make a new beginning with Jesus Christ. Resolve to put Jesus Christ, not only in your life, but first in everything you do.
On behalf of Pastor Anthony Cox and The Pentecostal Church I pray that the greatest blessing that you received in 2017 is as the very least of the blessings that you receive in 2018. May God keep you and your family and bless you in every way, but above all spiritually in 2018.
For my King and His Kingdom
