1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Crosswalk devotional. We're glad to have you 3 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:18,760 Speaker 2: listening with us. Today's topic is New Beginnings. We'll return 4 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 2: with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors. 5 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 2: New Beginnings written and read by Megan J. Connor. May 6 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:42,879 Speaker 2: the God of Hope fill you with all joy and 7 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 2: peace as you trust in Him, so that you may 8 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 2: overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, 9 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 2: Romans fifteen thirteen v. All the hustle and bustle of 10 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 2: the holidays has come to a close. Decorations have been 11 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 2: stored away, regular schedules have been resumed, and the inevitable 12 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:04,679 Speaker 2: and likely necessary, at least for me, annual commitment to 13 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:08,319 Speaker 2: diet and exercise has been enacted. Another new year is 14 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 2: upon us. For some, the reset of the calendar feels 15 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:14,959 Speaker 2: like a fresh start, a blank slate. For others, it 16 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 2: might draw out feelings of uncertainty about the unknown ahead. 17 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 2: How do you view the renewal of another twelve months? 18 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 2: Do you agreet a new year with apprehension or anticipation? 19 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 2: If we look closely, the framework of refreshing and renewal 20 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 2: through time and season is evident throughout the Word of God. 21 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 2: From the very beginning, we learn God made day and night. 22 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 2: Within each twenty four hour period, there is time for 23 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:42,559 Speaker 2: work and time to rest before the cycle begins again. 24 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 2: Lord also established weekly sequences, with days assigned a toil 25 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 2: and a call to reset on the Sabbath. Monthly and 26 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 2: yearly periods are connected to new moons and seasons of 27 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 2: sewing and harvesting. The list goes on and on. We 28 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 2: can also observe the ultimate example of death and rebirth, 29 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: exemplified through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, reflected 30 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 2: every year as the world goes dormant in winter, during 31 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 2: those dark, bare days, we question if life is present 32 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: beneath the frozen tundra. Yet each year spring bursts forth 33 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 2: with its radiant buds, reminding us all that warmth and 34 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 2: light are coming. With so many opportunities for refreshing and 35 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 2: renewal organically embedded into creation, it is clear our maker 36 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 2: sees this process as good Genesis one four. There is 37 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 2: something cleansing, almost freeing, about a fresh start. How many 38 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 2: situations or circumstances have you encountered this last year, or 39 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:41,639 Speaker 2: even this past month that you wish you could put 40 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 2: behind you and start again, there are several I can 41 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 2: think of myself. The Lord understands how these disappointments or 42 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 2: personal failures can become a burden too heavy to bear, 43 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 2: which is why both spiritually and physically, he is embedded 44 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 2: marker point moments for us to begin again with a 45 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 2: clean slate. For as high as the heavens are above 46 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:04,639 Speaker 2: the earth, so greatest is love for those who fear him. 47 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: As far as the east is from the west, so 48 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 2: far has he removed our transgressions from us Psalm one, 49 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 2: O three twelve and IB. While we may struggle with 50 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 2: the concept of freedom from current or past circumstances and sin, 51 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 2: the Lord's mercies are new every morning Lamentations three twenty 52 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 2: two through twenty three. There are opportunities for new days, 53 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 2: new Year's and renewed hope. For there is a time 54 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 2: for everything and a season for every activity under heaven 55 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 2: Ecclesiastes three one an IV. Wherever you find yourself this 56 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:40,559 Speaker 2: new year, may I encourage you to seize the opportunity 57 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 2: of refreshing whatever has passed. Let it be put away 58 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 2: and look forward to a new beginning. God, the great author, 59 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 2: is still writing your story. Let's commit together to hand 60 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 2: him the pen and trust that the narrative he has 61 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 2: planned will be full of abundant blessings this new year. 62 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 2: Intersecting faith and life life, how do you view the 63 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 2: turn of the annual calendar? Do you feel inspired or intimidated? Why? 64 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 2: Take some time today to perfectly consider the highs and 65 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 2: lows you experienced last year. Note next to each one 66 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 2: how you saw God's presence and provision in every example. Next, 67 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 2: jot down some hopes or dreams for this new year. 68 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 2: If possible, list aspirations in both the physical and spiritual. 69 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 2: Are there relationships you would like to see founded, mended 70 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: or renewed, or perhaps a new pursuit in health, education 71 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 2: or career. Write down anything you feel tugs on your 72 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 2: heart strengths. Once completed, take time to consider how you'd 73 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 2: like to see your relationship with the Lord grow this year. 74 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,280 Speaker 2: Is there a particular study you would like to join, 75 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:48,239 Speaker 2: or perhaps a prayer group or a commitment to daily 76 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: individual prayer. Whatever feels like the Lord is prompting, make 77 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 2: note of it, then release it to him. I encourage 78 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 2: you to keep this list somewhere safe this time next year, 79 00:04:57,760 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 2: bring it back out and see how God met you 80 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 2: in it, any or all of these circumstances and desires. 81 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 2: For further reading, take a look at Ecclesiastes chapter three 82 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 2: and Revelation chapter twenty one, verses one through six. 83 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 1: The Crosswalk Devotional is a production of Life Audio and 84 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:22,159 Speaker 1: Salem Media. 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