Graced to Begin Again: Five Ways to Embrace a New Season
Well it is almost tomorrow, but I wanted to share this with anyone who will take the time to read it. Today is May 8, 2020 or 5/8/2020. If you are into Biblical numerology, you are aware that the number five means “grace,” and the number eight means “new beginnings.” As I was in my Devotional time, the Holy Spirit reminded me of this and said, “You have been graced to begin again.” With new mercies meeting us every morning, we all have an opportunity to start again. Here are five ways to do it:
Release it-Confession must be part of your spiritual regimen for the rest of your days. Before you can truly embrace what is new, you must acknowledge what you’ve done wrong and take responsibility for where you missed the mark or dropped the ball. I John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” When we confess it frees us from the mental and emotional weight of that issue or event. Truly believing that God forgives what we confess brings freedom and enables us to live free. We can then do what Paul did in Philippians 2:13. It says, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.”
Live Free in Christ. Our decision to confess our sins and move forward puts us in a position to experience a life free of condemnation. This is made possible because whatever we confess becomes covered by God’s love, and the enemy cannot condemn what God chooses to cover. God’s forgiveness along with being cleansed from wickedness enables us to live in Christ. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” When we choose to live a life that pleases God condemnation can’t find us. Enabling us to live free in Christ as God intended.
Remember you are fully equipped with what you need. Pastor Michael Todd said it best in one of his sermons, “all you have is all you need.” Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” God has given you everything you need to be who God has called you to be. God never calls us to a new place or requires us to do something without making the necessary provision beforehand. You have all you ever need inside of you. Trust His grace that is working in you.
Remember his grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:8,9 says, Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” The God who called you is fully aware of your weakness, and he still wants to use you for His glory. The truth about your weakness is it only becomes a hindrance when you give it more power than you give God’s grace in your life. Do not let your weaknesses stop you from allowing God to be great inside of you.
Forget what you did and always remember what you can do. Since we know there’s no condemnation in Christ, we can get busy doing what we were created to do. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” It is important to remember that God has enabled us to overcome anything and everything. We do not have to be a victims in this life, but we can be victorious in every area we choose to apply Christ’s strength.
Our ability to be successful at starting over and embracing a new beginning is solely up to us. God has granted us everything we need to be successful. He has provided us the grace to move forward, and the grace to keep us from falling. I pray we take full advantage of the grace that permits us to begin again. God is ready whenever we are.-Charity Israel
Prayer : God as we choose to embrace this new season in life may Jude 1:24,25 grant us comfort in knowing that the new place will be nothing like the old. You will see to it that your will is accomplished in our lives. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”