A New Beginning: Starting Fresh 预览

New Heart, New You

Jesus was all about giving people new beginnings. If you go through the Gospels, you will find one story after another of how Jesus changed people’s lives. The disciples were the most obvious. They left it all to follow Jesus, and when Jesus died they thought it was all over, but it was just the beginning of God writing their story.

And here’s the wonderful reality today. Jesus is still giving people a new beginning. Your story probably has a chapter where Jesus changes everything in your life for the good, where you experienced a new beginning. In a sense, you have that “new house” smell but it’s for your soul. Jesus has come in and transformed your life. You’re what the Bible calls a new creation. You’re a new person -- the old is gone, the new has come (2 Cor.5:17). 

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well sends a strong message to us today. The moment she realized who Jesus was and put her faith in Him, everything changed! She realized she wasn’t just forgiven, but God had made her new!

How cool is it that when we decide to surrender everything to Jesus, He wipes everything clean and creates a new heart in us? The old you is gone and now, welcome to the NEW YOU!

This is not because of anything we have done, but simply from the grace of God because we put our faith in him. If you are in Christ, be encouraged today that God has given YOU a new heart. Or maybe you know Jesus, but somewhere along the way, you need your heart to start listening again. Or maybe you need to prioritize your heart away from distractions and toward God. Or maybe you need to reconnect with the Father instead of just going through the motions. Today, if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, He invites you to give Him your heart in the same way He invited the Samaritan woman. Now’s the time to commit your life to Christ and begin living the new story He’s planned for you.

Reflection Questions:  

1. What changes can you make that reflect the new heart Jesus has given you?   
2. Make a list of your priorities and see if you should do any shuffling around so you can have a prioritized heart.   
3. What can you add or take away from your routine to hear God’s voice more clearly?