New

A friend of mine just started a new decade of living. While at her party I gave a short vespers talk about starting new. While reading the Bible, in preparation for this talk, I came across SO many Bible passages that talk about something new. Sometimes the word is used in the text and sometimes it's not as blatant, but within the story itself you can see a new beginning springing up. Here are a few stories that I love to read. Notice all of the diversity in these stories. Sometimes it's a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes it's a group of people. The subjects are young, old, male, and female.God meets them where they are and offers them something new. Each person rises to the challenge, but only by allowing their faith to grow. They ALL have taken the big leap. They let go of EVERYTHING they thought they knew to be reality and allowed God to show them a NEW Way.

1. The Flood-God washes the Earth and everything starts fresh.
2. Abraham and Sarah- they welcome a new son (Isaac) into the world. This special child is used in one of the first living examples of the the sacrifice that was yet to come.
3. Esther- She moves to a new city, receives a new name, and becomes the new queen of Persia.
4. Peter (the Disciples)- Jesus calls each of them to a new life, a new purpose.
5. Jesus-He brings a new start and understanding of the Word.

Some other Bible passages:

Jeremiah 29:11 
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 43:18-19 
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

John 3:16-17 
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Ephesians 4:22-24 
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.


Revelation 21:4 
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”


  The Bible is FULL of fresh starts and forgiveness. It's  FULL of hope and peace.


 I am thankful for a God who is all for the NEW and doesn't dwell on the old. He forgives and moves forward.