But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 

There’s something nice about new beginnings. Remember starting a new school year in elementary school? Everything felt so fresh and clean. I had new notebooks, new pencils (number 2, freshly sharpened), new tennis shoes and a new teacher. There was a new locker combination (Ok, so not EVERYTHING was good), a new bus route, and a new lunch box. There was an opportunity to make new friends and to leave the past year behind. In fact teachers would often emphasize a new start with students like me who struggled with their studies. “Everyone starts out the year with a fresh record.” They would say. 

As a believer in Jesus, I have come to revel in new beginnings. God gave me a new start in Christ and in fact every day is a new day. When Jesus said, “Behold I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:5) he was talking about me. 

In Christ… 
• I have a new birth (1 Peter 3:1) 
• I have a new father (Romans 1:7) 
• I have a new nature (Colossians 3:10) 
• I have a new destiny (2 Peter 3:13) 
• I have a new song (Psalm 40:3) 
• I have a new family (Galatians 6:10) 
• I am part of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31; Luke 22:20) 
• I have a new Spirit (Ezekiel 11:19) 
• I have a new heart (Ezekiel 36:36) 
• I have a new commandment (John 13:34) 
• I have a new message (Acts 5:20) 
• I have a new life (Romans 6:4) 
• I’m part of a new way (Hebrews 10:20) 
• and I’m a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

That’s a whole lot of new! The New Year’s got nothing on me! I’m already new, through and through and so are you! So rather than make a whole raft of new years resolutions, take the new year as a reminder that you are already renewed in Jesus. Like Paul, forget what is behind and press forward into your new life. 

In 2010 live in reality of the new life you’ve already been given! 

See you next year!