Hold on to the Good!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

One of the incredible benefits we receive in Christ is that He makes all things new in our lives. He gives us a new nature, a new hope, a new purpose and a new future. In Christ, we get a new start. Who doesn’t need a new start?

2013 is here and at the beginning of every New Year there is the possibility of embracing the new things that God has in store for us. I can’t believe 2012 has come and now is gone. Many of my Facebook friend’s status updates on New Year’s Eve indicated that 2012 had been a difficult year for them. I must admit 2012 was also a challenging year for me in many ways. For as long as I live, I will always remember 2012 as the year my father went to be with the Lord.  I miss him tremendously.

  

There is something about entering into a new year that always brings a fresh hope to my soul.

In Isaiah 43:18-19 the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. (19) See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

In this passage of Scripture, the Lord is reminding us to not dwell on the former things, but focus on the new things in the upcoming year. When we only focus on the unpleasant moments of the past, it causes us to not perceive the new blessing that is going to spring up in the future. God has the supernatural ability to make refreshing springs in the desert and wasteland places of our lives. He can turn that which has been barren into a fruitful place in the future.

One of the keys to entering the New Year in the right manner is practicing the discipline of letting go of the bad and holding on to the good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test everything. Hold on to the good.”

Unfortunately, it is human nature to forget the good events and only hold on to the miserable moments of life. When we do this, bitterness develops in our soul that poisons us, and causes us to be disillusioned with life.

I am committed to entering into 2013 “holding on to the good” and releasing the disappointments of 2012. I will use them as learning lessons, make the necessary changes in my life, and move forward in faith.

How do we hold on to the good?

We do it by giving thanks to the Lord, remembering that he is good, and his love endures forever (Psalm 118:1). As our Eternal Father, his thoughts toward our future and us are positive ones.Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Remember, as you enter into 2013, make sure you leave the old behind and grab a hold of the new things God wants to do in your life.

What old things of 2012 are you releasing, and what new things are you reaching for in 2013? I would love to read your comment and pray for you!

Happy New Year!

The Unexpected Christmas Gift!

There is one Christmas that stands out to me during my childhood. When you are a kid, Christmas is a much anticipated event and usually needs no hype to get one excited. However, this particular Christmas for me possessed an even greater sense of expectation. My Dad had been telling me for several weeks that he had a special gift for me. I couldn’t wait for Christmas day to come. In typical Christmas tradition at the Miller home, we opened first all the gifts under the tree. The special gifts were always hidden somewhere safe from curious young boys. As soon as we got done opening the gifts under the tree, my Dad told me to close my eyes as he escorted me outside. As we were standing in our driveway, he told me to open my eyes to see this gift I had been anxiously waiting for. To my utter disappointment it was an basketball goal. I remember saying to my Dad, “Why did you get me a basketball goal? I will never use it.”

To make a long story short, I attended Florida State University on a basketball scholarship. Countless hours of my life were spent on that basketball goal perfecting my shot. I’m sure the sound of a bouncing basketball drove my neighbors crazy. Just as I do now preparing for sermons, I spent most of my practice time shooting at night. As my Father, my Dad made a personal unexpected investment in my life that paid huge dividends. He saw a talent in me that I had not yet discovered. His $125.00 gift paid for a degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration. It also paid for room and board during my college years. His investment did two things. First, it launched me into part of my destiny. And secondly, it gained a huge return.

God’s investment into our lives should produce the same two things. It should launch us into our destiny and it should produce a great return. Apostle Paul was a benefactor of the unexpected investment God made into his life through Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” Notice how God changed his life and how he became an example for others to follow. It’s hard to comprehend the amount of people that were impacted by Apostle Paul. What a return on an investment!

Here is a great Christmas story about a couple who demonstrates the gratitude they have for the investment Christ made in them. Richard and Donna Hamann found a way to make their entire town happy. Anthon, Iowa, a community of 650 people, received an unexpected Christmas present from this retired farming couple.

The Hamanns paid the electric bill for every home and business in the town of Anthon. The bills, all due on Christmas day, totaled $25,000. Everyone appreciated the surprising and generous gift, and they expressed it with a stack of thank-you cards and letters.The only question anyone had was: Why?

Richard answered it this way: "The Lord has been very good to us, and so have the people of this community, so I always thought we ought to be doing something in return if we could."

Christmas reminds us that Jesus Christ has unexpectedly done so much for us.  Let's make the most of this investment, and in return, live to bring glory to God.  Merry Christmas!