Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23a ESV

Happy New Year! I’m not sure where last year went. The older I get the faster the years seem to speed by. A new year, a fresh start, a chance to begin anew. What are your “resolutions” for this new year? Some of us may want to eat healthier, or exercise more, or lose those few pounds we gained over the holidays, or volunteer more, or spend more time with our families.

Paul tells us in our first verse that those of us who are in Christ are already new creations. We are new in Jesus and our old selves have passed away. The new year is a chance for all of us to renew ourselves in the Lord. Our verse from Lamentations gave me a new perspective on the new year and our newness in Jesus. We can begin the new year with good intentions and renewal. But really, we can begin each and every day with a new, fresh, and God-seeking attitude.

In Ephesians 4:23-24, Paul tells us we are not to be just anything new; our newness, our renewal is “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.” We are renewed in God’s likeness!

This week, this year, I challenge you, and me, to begin each new day seeking the Lord. Every day read at least one verse in God’s Word or say a short prayer. How can it renew your spirit and your mind to be more like the Lord? I will leave you with a verse to begin the new year with, it was written by David after Nathan confronted him. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week and this year as we seek daily renewal in the Lord.

Blessings with a renewed spirit and heart!