30 Dec, 2010

What's New?

New Year

I hate when people ask me what’s new.  Depending on when I’ve talked to them last, lots of things or next to nothing may have happened.  Sometimes the ‘new’ isn’t that great.  Or even that new.
I’ve noticed the things in my life that I have to keep working on making new are my relationships.  When I got married 17 years ago, my life was new.  It was exciting.  I moved from South Carolina to Pennsylvania.  I went from being working full time to working part time.  I had to learn how to share a closet, cook for two, and live with someone else.
After 17 years, I still have to learn how to share a closet (it’s easier if we both have our own!), cook for 4 (my kids like to eat, too) and live with 3 other people (I’m sure I’m not easy to live with, either). 

Clipart courtesy of Vanderbilt.edu

God’s Story
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)
….if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

What does today’s Scripture Story teach us being new?
When we become a child of God, we are no longer the same person on the inside as we once were.  We are made new!  The Bible promises that God provides for us new mercies each day.  He never fails!

How can we connect today’s God’s Story scripture to our lives?
As we begin a new year, take this time to make your commitment with the Lord new each day.  Don’t let your decision to follow Jesus become stale.  Stay connected with Him.  Find new ways to praise Him.  Seek His direction and serve Him.  Allow Him to work in your life by being available to do His will.  Enjoy the compassion He provides and the love He lavishly pours out on you daily.

How can we connect today’s story, God’s Story scripture, and our story to others?
What were some of the new relationships you made last year?  How are you keeping them ‘new’ and fresh?  Do you rehash the same stories?  Have you cut yourself off from expanding your network of friends?

How did you relationship with Christ develop and grow in 2010?  Did you keep your time with Him fresh and relevant?  Did you dread doing your devotions?  Do you re-pray the same prayers every day?  Do you keep your relationship with Jesus separate from your friends so they don’t even know that you’re a Christian?

Let me ask you ~ what’s new?

Comments

Ornament

The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.