Embracing the Lord’s Presence
"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert." ~ Isaiah 43:19 NKJV
Isaiah shares God's promise to bring his people out of captivity in Babylon and return them to the land of Israel. The promise would be an act of God's covenant renewal through the Lord's faithfulness, grace, and mercy, not due to the people's merits. This promise reminds us of Egypt's exodus when God saved the people of God from bondage and led them through the wilderness. Babylon's exodus would be even better since it would restore the Jews to their homeland, which they had been expelled because of their sins. God is about to do something new; it is coming even now. God is doing something new within you and me.
Anytime change takes place, there is a need for someone to stand up and speak to our society's ills and remind everyone of God's promises. There is still a need for people to stand in the gap so that the necessary change can take place in our community, institutions, and nation. Change is problematic because it cost so much—change begins within individuals that exhibit morality, courage, and character. As we start our new year, I pray that it will each our desire to seek the Lord's presence and desire the fruit of the Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." ~ Galatians 5:22-25 NKJV
This new creation implies a change or transition has taken place within an individual's heart and life, and now we have decided to unite with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And Christ has reconciled or restored us. Our position judicially considered in the eye of the law is now forever altered, not as though the mediation of Christ had made a change in God's character, nor as if the mediation of Christ produced the love and peace of God. Christ's blood paid the price for our sin nature; now, our character is a change from being selfish and carnal to consciously seeking the will of our Father, God, through the fruit of His Spirit.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." ~ II Corinthians 5:17-19 NKJV
2021 is the year of seeking His presence and transitioning in the will and way of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are embarking on a new and fresh adventure as we chase God to see Him face to face. This year is your year that we rekindle the love affair between the Lord and us. Come with me as we attempt to win the heart of God by doing a new thing. Forgive yourself and forget the past, as God heals your wounds and introduce you to your future. Decide to make today the best day of your life and make this year an awesome and blessed year!!!
Dr. Gregory L. Beechaum, Sr.
Founder/CEO/Senior Servant
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