Sometimes I just think about who I used to be, where I used to be, how I used to be, and I can’t thank God enough for sending His son Jesus to save me from myself.

This morning as I prayed, I heard the Holy Spirit say, there are some old things you must let go of to receive the new things I have for you. Now immediately, I started thinking, that must be for someone else, because clearly I have done away with my old life, riiiiggght? It was that question that made me start thinking if ALL of my old life was gone. See sometimes we can focus so much on the bigger things that we tend to miss the little things. In my old life, I would often times hide how I really felt about something. I wouldn’t let people know if they hurt my feelings. I would learn to cope and move on. But now that I am a new creature in Christ, I should talk to God about it. That old way of handling anything is now gone!

As I kept listening and writing, I heard Holy Spirit say: I know letting go is hard, but you can’t receive the new, if you clinging so tight to the old. Some of the very things we are clinging tight to can be considered STRONGHOLDS. It’s like every part of your life is changing, except that. You haven’t surrendered that part to Christ to handle. You may even consider it not to be that big of a deal, but in reality, it’s keeping you from receiving ALL THE NEW THINGS God has for you. For example, you have always done a thing one way. You been doing it that way since you were little or since college, or since high school, or since whenever you started. But it’s YOUR WAY, not God’s Way. It may be nothing WRONG with it per se, but it’s still not doing it God’s Way. Or it actually could be ALL WRONG and you’re convinced that it’s not that bad.

Holy Spirit said, “it’s uncomfortable at first (to let go of the old), but I AM with you. They will be okay.” Now when He said “they will be okay,” I was like who Lord? Who will be okay? He reminded me of the friendships that I often held on to because I didn’t think they would be okay without me. He reminded me of the family relationships that I have had to handle differently, because I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. They would be okay though. That job? They will be okay. Those old classmates? They will be okay. That organization? They will be okay. That church? They will be okay. That child (or children)? They will be okay. That spouse? They will be okay.

Whatever God is telling you to let go of so that you can FULLY belong and unite yourself to Him, know that they will be okay. He said, I am stripping away the old because it won’t fit in the new.

As I looked up the scripture that I was oh so familiar with and you probably are to, I got new revelation from reading different translations. I read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and I paid particular attention to the last part of the verse. So here is the New King James Version:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

But as I said, I looked at a ton of translations and wrote in my journal the last part of the verse talking about becoming new! Check out how it is translated differently but saying the same thing:

• Suddenly, everything is new! (ERV)

• The new has already arrived! (CEB)

• Look, what has come is fresh and new! (CJB)

• EVERYTHING is new! (CEV)

• New things have come-into-being! (DLNT)

• A new way of living has come into existence! (GW)

• Anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start! (MSG)

• The new is here! (NIRV)

• New life has begun! (NLV)

• When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! (TLB).

So when you and I made the decision to live in Christ, belong to Christ, believe in Christ, and join ourselves to Christ, we became new IMMEDIATELY! Our old lives are gone! Let today’s message encourage you and serve as a reminder that your new life has ALREADY BEGUN! You’re not waiting on that. The new has ALREADY ARRIVED! If there is anything in your life that’s old and trying to hold, you remember that it’s not real because the old is gone! It has disappeared and only the enemy will try to make you think that old is still there. NOPE! It has passed away! You new life is here..and might I add: HERE TO STAY!

SALVATION PRAYER

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and you’re not a believer, but you have a desire to be, all you have to do is openly confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When you pray that prayer, you are saved. Get connected with a good, bible-based church in your community, stay connected to other believers, and start having daily conversations through prayer with God every single day. Welcome to your new life with Jesus Christ!!!

ASSIGNMENTS

1. What did Holy Spirit say to you in your conversation with Him this morning?

2. Have you been made new in Christ? BE THE NEW YOU!

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