A New Beginning

“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:2, KJV).

            Entering a new year can be refreshing and rejuvenating. Our “new year” resolutions set forth ambitious goals to strive for, as well as give us an opportunity to reset our failed attempts and previous unmet expectations. However, as we reflect on our previous year, let us take a moment to celebrate a year of life as a gift from the Lord, and rejoice for the hurdles that we overcame through Christ. While new beginnings give us a chance to reflect and build up excitement for the open possibilities of the future, it is of the greatest importance to understand that we do not need a new year, or even a new day, to spend time with the Lord and examine ourselves before The Father. In our quiet time with Him, we are investing into an everlasting relationship with the Lord, as well as allowing Him to enhance our perspective with His wisdom.

            When we are enlightened with the Lord’s righteousness, we are able to judge ourselves and come to a pure state of repentance; thus, allowing us to be set free from our infirmities through Christ and move forward without the “old leaven” in our bread; thus, giving us a new beginning. New beginnings are readily available anywhere and at any time. This is the beautiful gift that Jesus sacrificed His life to give us. Not for selfish freedom, but so that we may come to The Father in purity and build a relationship with Him. Let us take a moment to thank the Lord for His precious gift to us. Let us thank Him for new beginnings that are readily available through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless you all in this new year and season.

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:28-32, KJV).