“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
I do not want to start the new year in an old place.
I am breaking out of my shell for the glory of the Lord.
Aspiring to:
Throw off the former way of life.
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT
Not look back!
But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 AMP
Lay down all offense.
Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment]. Proverbs 19:11 AMP
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 NIV
Forgive.
Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 ERV
Loose the weight.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Be free! Stand firm!
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Experience life unshelled!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 NET
The time is now, in faith, to step out of the shell!
Prayer
Father,
I lay down the old - putting it out of my remembrance - no longer dwelling on the past.
I choose to break out of my confinement.
Throwing off the old way of life.
No longer looking back.
Laying down all offense.
Forgiving others as Christ forgave me.
Loosing the weight, determined not to pick it back up again!
AND LIVE FREELY! No longer burdened by a yoke of slavery.
This year, I embrace the new!
In faith, I step out of my shell into the new thing of the Lord.
Thank You, Father, for the things You have prepared for me.
To such things, in the Name of Jesus, I say…
Yes, and Amen!
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