New is God’s Normal

​I love new, don’t you? Of course you do!
New trumps old almost every time (antique/classic automobiles, magnificent Victorian style mansions, and fine vintage furniture excepted!).
There is nothing like the scent of a new car, the keys to a new house, the birth of a baby, a marriage ceremony sending the newlyweds off to a honeymoon, and, oh yes, one of my favorites, fresh, baked bread!
I met my wife Jo Ann in San Diego. Highway 74 is a major highway connecting downtown with Spring Valley, where Jo Ann lived. I logged a lot of miles on my 1972 Camaro traveling Highway 74 when we dated.
Two things made the drive memorable. First and foremost, seeing my sweetheart. Secondly, Sunbeam Bread. Just as Highway 74 weaved its way downtown, the unmistakable aroma of fresh baked bread captured my nostrils. I can smell it today in my head!  New, fresh bread rolled out of the bakery daily, to the delight of bread eaters everywhere.
Newly baked fresh bread is real bread!
I do not believe there will be any day-old bread in heaven. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will serve new, fresh, out of this world bread! There is no doubt in my mind when those who confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord enter the pearly gates, day old bread will be history. Non-existent. Heaven’s bakers will bake up a batch of new bread!

• The new normal for Christ’s children in glory will be new.

The good news is that you and I do not have to wait to get to heaven to experience something new.
The Bible reveals many characteristics about our Heavenly Father who is our Creator and Redeemer.  One thing about the Living God that fascinates and blesses me is:  He is always doing something new.
“And He who sits on the throne said “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write for these things are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:5
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past; Behold, I will do something new. Will you not be aware of it.” Isaiah 43:18-19a.
I encourage you to search scripture in the Bible (use a Strong’s Concordance) to see how God does new things. Phrases like new birth, new life, new man, new creature, new song, new wine, new beginnings, new opportunities, new heaven and earth, new covenant, new heart, new thing, new spirit, new gate, new testament, new cloth, new wine, new wineskin, new commandment, new and living way, new Jerusalem. It is obvious the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about new!
New is the way God rolls.  New is normal for Him. God is always doing something new.
Thoughtful Nuggets About New

• The new birth is the beginning of living life in Christ for a lifetime.
• New is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for you and me.
• New challenges our attitudes. perceptions and perspectives.  New gets in the face of the old.
• New shakes up the proverbial apple cart. New rattles our comfort cages.
• Staying the same (old ways) is willful resistance to something new.
• New demands that I choose to change. No change, no new.
• New is not a one-time experience. New is constant when we walk by faith and trust the God who is always making things new. New stretches faith to deeper, higher levels of trust.
• New comes to those who expect God to do something new. Believe every day in something new from the God who loves to bless His children with surprises.   
• A mark of Christian maturity is growth in Christ. Growing in Him is all about being open to new things God has in store for us according to His promises.

If we choose, new is for me and you.
Let’s be honest. Life can become boring, stale, and get old in a hurry. God knows this. Because of His great love for us, He brings “new” into our lives all throughout our faith journey. He encourages and empowers us to keep our faith fresh, vibrant, expectant, and focused on the new paths the Lord has laid before us. Old roads are old. New roads can be extremely exciting because they are new!
Unfortunately, too many folks seldom experience something new. Why? Because they hold on to the old. Fearful of an uncertain future, they cling to what they think is a safe, risk free, certain today that is overshadowed by yesterday.

• New can be frightening because faith requires risk.

How about you? Holding on to the old? Need something new? Why settle for old when God is waiting to show you something new? Turn your heart and faith toward the One who wants to do something new in you. Open your heart to something new today. Why wait?

• My friend if you are at a crossroad, in a season of transition, choose new. New is always God’s best for us! It really is!
• Be bold. Step out of the old. Step up to new. New is good for you and me.  

A Word For Your Week: Something new is God’s will for you and me too!