For Your miracles have made us who we are…Lord, do it again! Psalms 68:28 (The Passion Translation)
Each and every time we look towards Christ, we can be sure there is a FRESH START ahead.
Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (The Voice)
Our old life ~ gone! And a new life begun! Truly believing He’s made a new creation in us sets us on the fast track to that new life. But, in reality, staying true to our new selves proves to be much more difficult than one might think.
Because the enemy knows our old selves so well, He’s aware of our offenses, involved in our most intimate history, and likely responsible for our wounds. He’s motivated by the grandiose fear of what we could be if we really believed who we are in Christ. His plan and scheme is to deprive us of every good thing Christ died to give us. If he can distract us with his scheming tactics, he hopes we’ll miss our calling, our destiny…our new self.
If we never see ourselves in the newness of life we’ve been given, our enemy has been successful.
Christ has already done the work. We have a new identity in Christ. The old things have passed away; newness prevails. What once held us in bondage, no longer has any authority over us. We have to continually fight our enemy to stay true to our new self.
In our newness, we’ve become unrecognizable to our old self. Therefore we constantly and unnecessarily battle our old demons. The shame of our past, unforgiveness of those who’ve wounded us, fear of the future and confusion about who we really are in Him will try to rob us of the new thing Christ has done. When we set ourselves before Him, asking Him to examine our ways, He’ll place us on the path that leads us back to Him. Our first line of defense is prayer.
Lord, Give me a fresh start.
See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways ~ the path that brings me back to You. Psalm 139:24 (The Passion Translation)
When the enemy comes knocking, there’s 4 surefire ways to keep him at bay.
- LIVE WITHOUT REGRET: Don’t look back ~ unless it’s with a heart full of gratitude for the miracle He’s done in you.
- LIVE UNOFFENDABLE: Create a lifestyle of forgiveness
- LIVE FEARLESS: Say no to fear
- LIVE LIKE ROYALTY: Because that’s exactly what you are
When shame calls, the best weapon we have is thanksgiving. So put on your boxing gloves and throw your punches of praise right back at your regret. The enemy cowers when faced with our courage. Truth prevails when we rehearse the good things, the mighty things, God’s done.
We can live without regret.
Forgiveness is the key to healing a wounded heart. It sets us free from the bondage of bitterness and brings overwhelming joy to a once-broken heart. We can choose to walk through life doling out mercy and granting grace to those around us.
Creating a lifestyle of forgiveness allows us to live unoffendable.
Fear immobilizes. We must become brave warriors walking in our full authority. Even with shaky legs beneath us, we can stand on God’s Word: we’re more than conquerors, victory is ours, the battle has been won. Looking forward, we begin to see what the Lord sees. Fully expecting His goodness and anticipating His presence, we can pray to see the bigger picture our future holds.
We can live fearless.
The inability to embrace our new identity creates confusion and causes us to question the miracle He’s performed. To avoid this identity crisis, we must remind ourselves who we are. We’re sons and daughters of the Most High God, co-heirs in the Kingdom of God. Kingdom-living requires a new mindset.
We are royalty; let’s live like it.
Life happens; we are a people deeply in need of second chances.
Staying true to the new you happens when we begin to live without regret, unoffendable, fearless and like royalty.
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing ~ do you not perceive it? Now it will spring forth! Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Again, Each and every time we look towards Christ, we can be sure there is a FRESH START ahead.
It’s time for a FRESH START!
Display your strength, God and we’ll be strong! For your miracles have made us WHO WE ARE! Lord, do it again! Psalm 139:27-29
I’ll be praying for you!
Amy Elaine
Guest Contributor:
Amy Elaine steps into her “sweet spot” in ministry as a writer and a teacher of her favorite book, the Bible.
“BeLoved Lumière” is her weekly devotional.
She sees herself as a “broken girl made whole” through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and a deeper understanding of her Father’s love. It is her heart’s desire to equip and inspire women to experience the abundant life in Christ.
Amy Elaine has written a prayer journal originally for her daughter-in-law: 66 Days & Counting: A Daily Word of Wisdom Before You Say ‘I DO!’ And her new book ” Life Lessons From A Broken Girl Made Whole” will hit the shelves in late 2017 ( even if I have to self-publish!!!)
Twitter: @AmyElaineBLdevo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyelainewriter/
Broken Girl Made Whole… Now that sounds like a page turner! Get it on the shelves, girl! I’ve always said reminding us of our past is a tactic Satan uses to keep us from finding the future God has for us! Blessings!
I know, right!! Amy Elaine is a breath of fresh air and a new friend made this year. She’s an Oklahoma girl who resides in Colorado. Can’t wait to see what God has in store.
Liz and Mitzi and Deanna- thank you all so much for your sweet words! And yes- hoping BGMW will be out by year’s end- that’s one of my goals this year. Thanks for the encouragement!
very very good!!!!