{"id":2412,"date":"2012-01-03T01:00:49","date_gmt":"2012-01-03T09:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/?p=2412"},"modified":"2012-01-02T18:37:15","modified_gmt":"2012-01-03T02:37:15","slug":"a-fresh-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2012\/01\/03\/a-fresh-start\/","title":{"rendered":"A Fresh Start — Again"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"There\u2019s something about a new year.<\/strong> It\u2019s a fresh start, a chance to re-evaluate, an opportunity to think about my direction and priorities.<\/p>\n

Today I will sit at the local coffee shop with Bible, pen, and journal in hand and write down goals for this fresh, new year. I\u2019ll pray for God\u2019s guidance and conviction as I think about the people in my life, the books I want to read, the weaknesses and sins I need to repent of, the tasks He has given me to do. I\u2019ll head back home with several pages of plans, a reorganized schedule, and a renewed commitment to redeem the time for Christ\u2019s kingdom.<\/p>\n

I will, however, also come home knowing that I am still the same old fallen human being. I will have reviewed my goals from last year, again seeing that many of them have not been fully realized. I will fail miserably many, many times over the next year as well. My sincerely-made goals will fall victim to the laziness, discouragement, fear, and pride that lurk within me. Tomorrow I will need to remember that I don\u2019t just get a fresh start every new year<\/em>. When I blow it, I won\u2019t have to scrap my goals and wait until next year to start again.<\/p>\n

Because of God\u2019s <\/em>faithfulness<\/strong>, I wake up each morning with new hope, fueled by His limitless love and mercy. \u201cBut this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; \u00a0great is Your faithfulness<\/strong>. \u2018The Lord is my portion,\u2019 says my soul, \u2018therefore I will hope in him\u2019” <\/em>(Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV)<\/p>\n

Because of God\u2019s<\/em> faithfulness<\/strong>, I am given a fresh start every day, every hour, every minute. \u201cIf we confess our sins, he is faithful<\/strong> and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness\u201d <\/em>(1 John 1:9, ESV).<\/p>\n

Because of God\u2019s <\/em>faithfulness<\/strong>, I will<\/em> be changed. \u201cHe who calls you is faithful<\/strong>; He will surely do it\u201d<\/em> (1 Thessalonians 5:24, ESV).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div><\/div>