Page 1 - Good News January 2007 paper
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ew  begin-       promise, free of problems and  been healed.
                                                 nings  are  a  filled with potential.                 For years I believed for the abundant life that
                                         Nw o n d e r f u l   Each day is a new opportunity  God promised me, but I wasn't willing to give up
                                         blessing from God.  to  close  the  door  on  the  past  the ashes of my past in exchange for it.
                                         They  are  full  of  and  experience  a  brand-new  My  ashes  consisted  of  things  like  hatred,
                                                                  start.  Even  the  fact  that  days  bitterness  and  unforgiveness  toward  people
                                                                  are  divided  into  twenty-four-     who  hurt  me,  as  well  as  a  negative  attitude,
                                                                  hour segments is evidence that  complaining and self-pity.
                                                                  we  need  to  start  over  on  a  What's in your pile of ashes? Are you battling
                                                                  regular basis.                       with guilt and condemnation? Do you feel bad
                                                                  There  is  always  a  new  day,  a  about  something  you  did  years  ago  or
                                                                  new month and a new year. But  something that happened yesterday? No matter
                                                                  in  order  for  us  to  make  good  how much time has gone by, the past is still the
                                                                  use  of  these  new  beginnings,  past. What is done is done, and only God can
                                                                  we must make a decision to do  take care of it now. Your part is to admit your
                                                                  so. What better time to decide  mistake, repent, receive God's forgiveness, and
                                                                  than the first month of the New  go on.
                                                                  Year.                                In Lamentations 3:22,23 the prophet Jeremiah
                                                                  Maybe you've been struggling  encourages us with the news that God's mercy
                                                                  with  depression,  anger  or  is  new  every  morning.           I'm  so  glad  that  God
                                                                  bitterness.  Or  possibly  you're  sends  a  new  batch  of  mercy  daily  -  we  can
                                                                  like I was - you've been burned  decide to have a new beginning every day!
                                                                  by  past  relationships  and  cir-   Isaiah  30:18  says,  And  therefore  the  Lord
                                                                  cumstances,  and  you're  still  [earnestly]  waits  [expecting,  looking,  and
                                                                  carrying  around  the  ashes.  longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He
                                                                  These are the deep hurts from  lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you
                                                                  old  wounds  that  have  never  and show loving-kindness to you...
                                                                                                       Why not let this be the year when you decide to
                                                                                                       climb out from the pain and problems of your
                                                                                                       past, and press on to the bright future God has
                                                                                                       planned for you?
                                                                                                       Welcome  this  New  Year  with  a  decision  to
                                                                                                       release  your  faith  for  God's  gift  of  a  new
                                                                                                       beginning, and focus on His good plans for your
                                                                                                       future. Get excited about the fresh start God has
                                                                                                       for you! Happy New Beginnings!
                                                                                                       www.joycemeyer.org.za
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