It’s a Brand New Year – Happy 2019!
II Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Matthew 9:16-17
No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Welcome to 2019! As I write this article, I recognize we are well into the New Year. Here at Holiness Tabernacle we have already launched into our time of consecration and renewal. I am so glad we serve a God who allows us to repent and get things right. Have you ever considered where you would be today if God did not allow second chances?
I like to envision the new year as an opportunity to start all over again. The goals and plans I made for the previous year may not have been accomplished. However, God has granted me another year, month, day, even minute to try again. If I made mistakes last year, I can repent and start again. Isn’t it good to know that God doesn’t keep score? If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Have you considered why the scriptures are full of people who didn’t get it right the first time? Noah got drunk; Abraham compromised his wife Sarah twice and married another woman (Hagar), having a child out of the will of God; Isaac compromised his wife Rebekah just as his father did; Jacob deceived his brother; Judah sold his brother into slavery; David was an adulterer and murderer; Moses killed an Egyptian; Peter denied Jesus and Thomas doubted him. Yet they all played key roles in the work of the Lord!
2019 is here! Let’s start the New Year off right. Let’s wipe the slate clean and start all over again. Let’s shake the dust from our feet and turn the page. Let’s make up in our minds that this is a brand-new year and a brand-new opportunity to do great things in the Lord!
Are you familiar with the hymn, He Took My Sins Away?
I came to Jesus, weary, worn, and sad.
He took my sins away, He took my sins away.
And now His love has made my heart so glad,
He took my sins away.
Refrain
He took my sins away, He took my sins away,
And keeps me singing every day!
I’m so glad He took my sins away,
He took my sins away.
I bless you in the name of the Lord!
Eddie B Pruitte, Jr.
Holiness Tabernacle COGIC, Founder & Pastor