LifeNow 

                                
Happy New Year!  That is such an uplifting phrase, you can’t help but say it with joy.  I think it is the word NEW.  I love getting new things.  For Christmas I got a new daily devotional, a new desk lamp and a new pair of sweats.  There is something about being new that makes you smile.  A new year is like a fresh start.  
New is one of my favorite words as well.  You will find it many times in My Word.  Consider this word from the prophet Isaiah, “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV).  The nation of Israel had been through a difficult era with ungodly rulers, famines, oppression from other nations and drought.  As they turned back toward me, I was saying the equivalent of “Happy New Year”.  I’m encouraging them to stop rehearsing all the bad memories of the past and look forward to a prosperous and bountiful new era! 
So, as I begin this new year, I need to stop thinking about how bad last year was and, as I turn to You in my new year, look forward with hope to a prosperous new year.  I like that. 
Also consider this word spoken through the Apostle Paul, “Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.  The old life is gone; a new life emerges! (II Corinthians 5:17 The Message).  You don’t have to wait for January 1 to have a new start.  Anyone who embraces the gospel, repents of their sin and invites Christ into their lives will become new.  The slate has been wiped clean and they will make a fresh start of life as a different person, a new creation. 
So instead of Happy New Year, it’s Happy New Life!  I can share the gospel with others this year and help them start a whole new life.  I can think of many people who really need this!
Every day can be Happy New Year! That makes me think of this word written by the Apostle John, “A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NIV). Since Jesus fulfilled the law, there is no longer an expectation that you obey the 10 commandments in order to be My child.  You become My child by faith in Jesus but after becoming My child there is a new command, love.  My children should be known by their love.  The truth is if you truly love one another you won’t lie, steal, commit adultery, murder, etc., So in some ways the whole law is summarized in the command to love. 
And now it is not about what NOT to do, it is a command to do something positive.  We don’t even have to conjure up the love because Your love has been poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5).  Love needs to be my mantra in 2026!
I can’t help but think of one more new thing in My Word spoken by the Psalmist, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him” (Psalm 40:3 NIV).  Living out your faith in this sin-cursed world can be very discouraging at times.  That is why it is so important to keep this new song of praise always running through your mind.  Since I never change and My love for you never changes and My good plans for your future in heaven never change, you can always praise Me!
That gives me a great idea!  I usually pick a new verse or new theme for the New Year.  I’m going to pick a new song for 2026.  A song of praise that I can sing, hum, listen to regularly to keep me focused on You! 
Happy New Year!                                 
                   Happy New Year!  That is such an uplifting phrase, you can’t help but say it with joy.  I think it is the word NEW.  I love                       getting new things.  For Christmas I got a new daily devotional, a new desk lamp and a new pair of sweats.  There is                         something about being new that makes you smile.  A new year is like a fresh start.  

 

                   New is one of my favorite words as well.  You will find it many times in My Word.  Consider this word from the prophet                    Isaiah, “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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV).  The nation of Israel had been through a difficult era with ungodly rulers, famines, oppression from other nations and drought.  As they turned back toward me, I was saying the equivalent of “Happy New Year”.  I’m encouraging them to stop rehearsing all the bad memories of the past and look forward to a prosperous and bountiful new era! 
               

                  So, as I begin this new year, I need to stop thinking about how bad last year was and, as I turn to You in my new year,                     look forward with hope to a prosperous new year.  I like that. 

 

                  Also consider this word spoken through the Apostle Paul, “Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united                   with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.  The old life is gone; a new life emerges! (II Corinthians 5:17 The                         Message).  You don’t have to wait for January 1 to have a new start.  Anyone who embraces the gospel, repents of their sin and invites Christ into their lives will become new.  The slate has been wiped clean and they will make a fresh start of life as a different person, a new creation. 

 

                 So instead of Happy New Year, it’s Happy New Life!  I can share the gospel with others this year and help them start a                      whole new life.  I can think of many people who really need this!

 

                Every day can be Happy New Year! That makes me think of this word written by the Apostle John, “A new command I                       give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NIV). Since Jesus fulfilled                       the law, there is no longer an expectation that you obey the 10 commandments in order to be My child.  You become My child by faith in Jesus but after becoming My child there is a new command, love.  My children should be known by their love.  The truth is if you truly love one another you won’t lie, steal, commit adultery, murder, etc., So in some ways the whole law is summarized in the command to love. 

 

               And now it is not about what NOT to do, it is a command to do something positive.  We don’t even have to conjure up                    the love because Your love has been poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5).  Love needs to be my mantra in 2026!

 

               I can’t help but think of one more new thing in My Word spoken by the Psalmist, “He put a new song in my mouth, a                        hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him” (Psalm 40:3 NIV).  Living out your                faith in this sin-cursed world can be very discouraging at times.  That is why it is so important to keep this new song of praise always running through your mind.  Since I never change and My love for you never changes and My good plans for your future in heaven never change, you can always praise Me!

 

             That gives me a great idea!  I usually pick a new verse or new theme for the New Year.  I’m going to pick a new song for                  2026.  A song of praise that I can sing, hum, listen to regularly to keep me focused on You! 
             Happy New Year!