“I am making everything new!”

I love the newness of Christmas. We gather as families and share gifts – often of new things. It is a time of celebration of Jesus coming as a baby... the new baby ushering in the new life in the New Covenant – making all things new.

New means to be unused, unworn and unaged. Jesus brings what is new... a turn of a season, restoration, revival, and most of all – new life in Christ.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

And in Ephesians 4:24 he says, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

When I became a Christian and took on His life, my old life (my past, my heritage and my history) was wiped away completely. I once had no hope and now I have what I never dared hope for before I knew Christ. I am not the same person as before - my life has been made new.

Words that come to my heart are from Isaiah 51:1-2, “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many.” (a)

We are born again and given a heritage among the saints. New also means to be made undamaged by life.

There is hope for those who have been damaged by life and are suffering under the results of other people's or their own poor choices.. Those who have been torn by disappointments and hurts that have left them with fears, anxiety, anger issues, physical limitations, rebelliousness, depression and/or compulsive disorders can have hope.

Jesus can make all things new!

Today, I dare hold to this hope. It changes my perspective... about how things are and will be. 

One day, Jesus will completely make all things new. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. God will dwell among His people (restoring the world to the beginning in the garden) and wipe away every tear from our eyes. Everything from the old order and ways (death and mourning) will be wiped away.

Lord, you put a new song in my mouth. You have done so much for me... how could I not anticipate the same goodness in the lives of those around me who need this new life. You make all things new and I am so incredibly grateful for this. Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in the lives of those around me.

"You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas..."

a. Isaiah 51:1-2, “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many.”

The line of heritage you come from influences who you are, both the blessings and curses. Noah and his sons, Abraham and his line were all impacted by their lineage and the blessings and curses spoken over the following generations. Jacob even manipulated and lied to obtain the heritage through His father

Noah came from the line of Seth – a line of people who began to worship and call on the name of the Lord. The line of Enoch who walked and talked with God in such a close and intimate relationship that God took him up.

When all the world was filled with violence and corruption, Noah held fast to a covenant with God. Him and his entire family were taken into the Ark for a fresh start for the world – all to be populated from Noah's line..

When Jesus went to the cross, He took us with Him. We were in His loins. He broke every curse from our previous lineage and were were born again... made anew as those from the line of Jesus... the 42^nd generation. We are subject to receive all the blessings of being from His lineage.

David says in Psalm 103:1-4,

“Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies...”

Not only are our lives influenced by our lineage, but they are also influenced by those around us. Abraham influenced Lot...He followed into a new land because of Abraham. When he was with Abraham, Lot greatly prospered. His faith was strengthened through his relationship with Jesus.

The people we choose to surround ourselves with will have influence on the life we live. A daily devotional notes, “We are shaped by culture, our personal values and presuppositions, the people we listen to, and what we choose to fill our minds with. Who do you love? Who do you work for? Who do you seek to please or impress? These are the forces that shape your life and leadership. What will you allow to shape you today?” [1]

Another one influenced by others around him were Samuel who was influenced and raised by Eli. And Josiah who was also raised by priests and prophets. Commentary notes about him, “Although he had been a child of only eight years when he inherited the throne of his murdered father... It was fortunate for him and his country that he was guided by pious men like the High Priest Hilkiah and his son Jeremiah, by Shaphan the royal scribe and his son Ahikam, by Shallum the faithful chamberlain and his wife the prophetess Huldah.” [2]

What influence do we allow to have on us and our lives?

1. Lead Like Jesus Online Devotional - Day Number 344: Autonomous Leadership, 12/10/14.

2. http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/464028/jewish/King-Josiah.htm