There is a possibility that all things can be made new.
The new year is usually referred to as a season of “a fresh start.” We must forget old history and embrace the “new thing” that God promised to do so that we can move forward progressively.
Rev 21:5, And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Isaiah 65:17, See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
Isaiah 43:18-19, Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 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.
The Bible records that the master builder and creator, God Almighty, created the heavens and the earth in the beginning (Genesis 1:1). Then, the last book of the Bible reveals the announcement of a new heaven and a new earth that will come (Rev 21:5).
God makes everything new.
In the office of Alpha and Omega, God Almighty shows and confirms that he has made both beginning and end. Being at the controls of creation, He makes all things new and grants us the grace for a fresh start. It becomes clear that, as Alpha, God started the story, and as Omega, He brought it all to an end. He then introduces us to what we know as the beginning to walk out what He completed, to come to a fitting end that mirrors the original end.
Isn’t that awesome?
This fresh start is relatable in measures of seasons and times. And so, a fresh start may look like the following:
-fresh start at morning
-fresh start for the week
-fresh start for the month
-fresh start for the year
-a fresh start on your birthday
-a fresh start on your anniversary
At the time of life (wherever there is a significant mark in a life span), when a season is ready to change, we must become intentional in our response to the change. Use the change of seasons in your life to grab the opportunity for a fresh start. The scripture below records a shift in Sarah’s life—a fresh start at the time of life, where she would start afresh not just as a wife but as a child-bearing wife. In this story of the well-aged couple becoming parents, it is a prime example that when God grants you the grace for a fresh start, He can and will defy the odds and reposition you favourably.
Genesis 18:10-11, And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
MERCIES EXTENDED FOR A FRESH START
Lamentations 3:22-23, It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is His faithfulness.
This scripture makes it clear that we are afforded a fresh start only because of the Lord’s mercies—new every morning. It has nothing to do with our expertise, experience, contributions, intelligence, or commitment to good works. We are granted grace for a fresh start out of God’s love and mercies towards us, and He remains faithful to this promise. This has triggered a fresh appreciation in me for mornings—a great reason to be committed to a time of expressing gratitude first thing in the morning.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
In receiving the grace for a fresh start, our responsibility is expressed in Isaiah 65:17 and Isaiah 43:18:
-remember not the former things
-refuse to consider old history
-do not bring back old matters to mind.
This is an encouragement for forward movement. A basic lesson taught in driving is that the driver who engages the motor vehicle in drive mode should focus on the road ahead, and if there is a need to look behind, the use of the rear view and side view mirrors becomes useful. The same is true for a fresh start; looking forward is best for safer and more accurate navigation of the journey.
By faith, we believe that anything is possible when we partner with the Alpha and Omega. For with God, all things are possible.
We know that the principle of starting afresh, especially for a project that is currently running, can be scary and degrading to some, but who said you can’t start afresh?
Living in a goals-driven world places a heavy demand on those who have the will to do great exploits. It must be understood that:
– the Creator is aware of every stage of our lives
– we were uniquely made for a unique purpose
– we were not created on a production line for wholesale functioning
GOD IS WORKING ON US AT OUR OWN PACE
Since we were all created for a purpose within various contexts, the stages of life for people may vary. This means that no one should measure growth or progress according to another person’s life.
In a case where an individual was instructed by God to engage in a particular project that is related to purpose and destiny and there is a delay or abandonment of the mission, there is a need to try again with a fresh start.
We learn in Isaiah 55:10 that God’s Word (instructions) will not return to Him void; they must accomplish what they were sent for; this means that God will allow for regrouping and recalibration if an instruction given was aborted. This may be regarded as a fresh start, in that our posture, attitude, and perspective may change to suit the accomplishment of our purpose.
Continuing with this case study, the opposite is true: while God may facilitate a fresh start, there may be a need for repentance in the case of negligence and the need to complete the given task under a given instruction before anything new can be initiated. Nevertheless, in both cases, a fresh start may be expressed in the change of a heart posture and attitude.
Here is a useful reminder. Even though systems, plans, and seasons may change along a time line, be reminded that God remains the same, having the same promises and the same principles while He leads you to a brand-new thing.
God will never compromise on His principles; He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever more.
Psalm 89:34 says, My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
As the Numbers 23:19-God, He remains unchanging. Therefore, although this brand-new thing He is doing is new to us, it is not to Him, which is all the more reason for us to depend on His wisdom to interpret, introduce, and initiate this new thing in this new season of our lives.
Be encouraged to try again and receive the grace God gives for a fresh start.
DECLARATION
By faith, adopt the following declaration as you take on this posture and start afresh.
I must admit that:
God keeps his end of the bargain every time in all things.
God is perfect in all His ways.
God cannot lie. God is truth.
God cannot fail. God is my victory through Christ Jesus.
God is faithful
God is full of integrity
God is one with His Word – holy
God is a covenant-keeping God.
I refuse to record a failure
I am restrained by: 1 John 5: 5 & Rev 12:11
I overcome…
I refuse to record disappointment
I am restrained by: 1 Peter 2:6
…those who trust the Lord will not be ashamed/ disappointed.
I refuse to record hopelessness
My expectations are of God and they cannot be cut off
I am restrained by:
Proverbs 23:18 For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed. (NLT)
It is the crafty devices of the enemy that was disappointed, not me.
Job 5:12
I refuse to record regret
I am restrained by:
Romans 8:28…it all worked out for my good
Psalm 138:8…God is perfecting all that concerns me.
I am ready for a fresh start by the mercies of God.
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As a born-again Believer for more than 30 years, Simone Kerr describes her walk with the Lord as a faith-building journey. Raised in church, she drifted onto a backslidden path, but the Lord drew her back to Him and today, she is steadfast in service at Fresh Bread Ministries International in Montego Bay. This new start saw Simone become the youth leader for some 10 years, an office to which she applied all her giftings and life experiences (good and bad).
Although a ‘numbers’ person, having worked in banking and, presently, accounting, Simone is also artsy. She is involved in drama ministry and is set to release her first book, Morning Seek, in the first quarter of this year. “Grace for a Fresh Start” is an excerpt from that book.