Archa

Could think of no better way to start off new year than by talking about what the Bible says about that very word: NEW. It’s little but it’s BIG. EVERYTHING NEW

To prep for today, read every single verse that contains this awesome little big word. Surprised by how prevalent it is. Just off the top of your head, what NEW verses come to mind? (No fair peeking at your outlines.) What’s NEW in the Bible?

Forget 2010. Let’s move forward. God’s making everything new Forget 2010. Let’s move forward. God’s making everything new. He’s making a way in this desert wasteland of a world. New Perspective Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Is. 43:18-19)

New EVERY morning. Spring out of bed. Get up with God. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lam. 3:23)

Why on earth do we need a new heart. Read Jer. 17:9, Hos. 10:2 Why on earth do we need a new heart? Read Jer. 17:9, Hos. 10:2. On its own, the human heart is deceitful above all things. Or, as this verse, says – heart of stone. As we talking about in the Sermon on the Mount series, God is after our HEART. W/o a new one, we’re dead. New Heart + New Spirit I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ez. 36:26)

Big deal. New Deal This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4)

Next one is related . . . New Command A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (Jn. 13:34)

Substituted 2 rules for the Pharisees’ zillions of rules. New Life But now, by dying to what once bound us, We have been released from the law that we may serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Rom. 6:4)

How does this apply to us? Here are a couple more NEW verses. New Creation If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17)

New Self You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:22-24)

The only proper response to all this new-osity: PRAISE The only proper response to all this new-osity: PRAISE. When was the last time you sang a new song of praise in your heart or out loud to God? What does this v. mean to you and how can you apply it? Here’s one more . . . New Song Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. (Ps. 98:1)

Notice the exclamation point. More Praise Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4)

PRAISE GOD FOR EVERYTHING NEW! So now that we’ve established that we’re officially in a NEW year, it’s time for a real NEW year’s resolution . . . PRAISE GOD FOR EVERYTHING NEW!

SPIRITUAL WORKOUT

Notice the exclamation point. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12) Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life, and the life to come. (1 Tim. 4:7-8)

Spiritual Workout LOVE: God + others PRAY: continually READ: the Bible Based (loosely) on book entitled Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Spiritual Workout LOVE: God + others PRAY: continually READ: the Bible FAST: from dumb stuff TELL: everyone the good news REPEAT: all of the above Disclaimer: Never run the race alone. Your very own spiritual fitness consultant – the Holy Spirit – is available 24/7/365.

YouVersion.com PocketBible Discuss Bible reading plan (Eastbrook). YouVersion: virtually all bible translations (including brand new NIV) plus a wide variety of personalized reading plans. There’s even an app for those w/iPhones or iPads: PocketBible. YouVersion.com PocketBible

As all the disclaimers at health clubs or on infomercials will tell you, never embark on a workout program without consulting w/your physician. No different here. Consult with the Great Physician before begin. Discuss what spiritual workout plans you have for 2011 at your tables and then pray for each other. We’ll encourage one another as we go throughout the year. PRAY