Sunday, December 30, 2018

WHEN SAYING "HELLO" MEANS SAYING "GOODBYE"

We've just finished the Christmas Season - and now we cheer and celebrate and look forward to a NEW YEAR... 
Come on, 2019... we're counting on you to be a good year. A great year. 
Who doesn't like new beginnings? 
BUT.... 


In order for us to say HELLO to 2019 
We have to SAY GOODBYE to 2018. 
Duh.


When it comes to "LIFE" I sometimes forget this. 
I don't want to say "goodbye" to something in order to say "hello" to something else.


I want to have the new without letting go of the old.  It never works.

If I want to say hello to a forgiving heart, I have to say goodbye to unforgiveness.  

If I want to say hello to a fitter body, I have to say goodbye to my sofa.

If I want to say hello to hearing God's voice, I have to say goodbye to all the media and social media "noise" that drowns out the voice of the Holy Spirit.

If I want to surround myself with people who encourage me, I have to say goodbye to people who discourage me.

And so, there is the rub.
The conundrum.
The problem.

I am always saddened by people who SAY they want new life in Christ, but continue to hang on to the old life they used to live. 

People sometimes reach out for help and want to embrace a new life.. but.. they are unwilling to say goodbye to things like adultery, lust, addiction, jealousy, anger, lying, envy and greed. 

They say they want a new life.
BUT
They keep clinging to the old one.

We get used to being broken.  We accept being powerless. We feel secure that our anger is justified. We embrace our lust and addiction.

We think we are powerless to say goodbye to these things. 
And. We. Are.

But Jesus has ALREADY OVERCOME THEM.. FOR US.
He is the ONLY ONE who has the power to help us say goodbye to the old life so that we can say hello to the new one.

Jesus said goodbye to His heavenly Father for a season so that He could say hello to you...Forever.

He will help you say goodbye to every fear, addiction, and power that sin has over your heart and mind. In an instant? Sometimes.  Forever? Always. 

You cannot hold on to the old life if you want to live a new one.


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 


1 Corinthians 5:17



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