Here we are in a new year, 2016. What a great time to recognize and revisit what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Our new life began at that point we became believers in Jesus Christ. This was prophesied by God through Ezekiel in Ezekiel 36:26, “And I will give you a new heart – I will give you new and right desires – and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.”

Let us look at this new year as an opportunity to live as the new people God made us, and exercise the hearts of love God has given us.

Dear Lord, thank you for new days and new years for us to use as a starting point to refresh and renew the lives we should live. Help us leave behind the old ways that did not follow your will, and live with a renewed commitment to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.