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New Beginnings

New beginnings are just around the corner.  Something magical happens as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. Something about the calendar flipping to a new year that motivates us to start something new. We like to call them resolutions.

Some of these new beginnings will be successfully completed. Others get chalked up as failures. Then of course there will be some that fail the day after we start them.  They never had a chance!

I decided I will focus on what I am feeding myself.  Physically, I am going to try to eat a minimum of five fruits and/or vegetables a day.  Thank goodness for the great prices at our local farm market.  I have a bit of a sweet tooth.  Seems like I could be an elf.  I just can't get enough of the cookies, candies, and of course pies.  So for January, I am going to quit all sweets.  Of the two, this one will be the toughest one, I think.  

I am working on what I am feeding myself spiritually, too.  If you follow me on the Bible App you have been subject to invite after invite for reading plans.  This year I'm changing it up.  I am committing to a 365 day reading plan by Pastor Rick Warren.  If you want to join, just sent me an email at matt@westsidechristianchurch.com. I'll share more on how God is creating new beginnings in my spiritual life in the near future.

As we look at a new year and new beginnings, I challenge you to consider what you'd like to do differently.  Maybe for you it's your diet, as well. Maybe it is committing to serving Saturday mornings with Downtown Ministries. Possibly you want to break the bond money has on your life and live in a space of generosity.  It could be spending more time in the word or sharing the good news with those around you. 

If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your identity is not changed by these "new beginnings". They are merely steps you take or commitments you make to live a better life and grow in your walk with Jesus. Regardless of your success with your resolutions, your identity stays the same. You are a child of God. 

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." - John 1:12‭-‬13 NIV

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."- Galatians 3:26‭-‬27 NIV

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt




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