You Are a New Creation

Happy New Year everyone! I wanted to encourage you with a short devotional to keep your head above water starting the new year.

I have personally dealt with terrible habits last year, felt stagnant in my walk, and felt like I was still wearing my old clothing from when I was a teenager.

It seems that when we come to Christ, we think we have to automatically be perfect and fight for Christ's love to take root within our hearts. You do not have to earn the love, favor, and affection of the Father. His love was already evident while we were in our sins (Romans 5:8). Christ wants to remain with and in you (John 15). He is rooting for your success, obedience, and wants you to finish your race so you can receive your heavenly city (Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 13:14). He is your Mediator and intercedes for you (1 Timothy 2:5-6, Romans 8:34).

Here is the word Christ told me last year that I will take with me into the new coming year. I hope it blesses you:

"Why doesn't My work in you so far have much of an impact compared to your former life? Before you were condemned and had no hope, but now you can reflect, ponder, meditate, and repent accordingly because of your new heart. You now can see that you have a new heart, a new identity, a new mind, a new will. Before it was very hard to do that. Get up, you have assurance. Move, you have strength."

Meaning: Christ wanted me to acknowledge the work He has done within me, and I don't have to be afraid of wrath, but trust that when I repent of my sins I will be washed. I am secure and deeply loved. He gives me strength and ability to walk in my new identity.

Some Scriptures for reference (there's so many this word coincides with! Be sure to read more for yourself): 

• Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26
• Isaiah 53:6
• Jeremiah 31:33
• John 6:37-40, John 10:28
• Romans 3:23
• Romans 5:12
• Galatians 5:16-17
• Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 2:3, Ephesians 2:11-17
• 1 Corinthians 2:14
• Philippians 4:13
• 1 Peter 1:5
• Hebrews 7:25
• Jude 1:24