New Beginning
By Dr Ferry Dharmawan
This month is the month of Easter, praise God. It is a season of beginning.
The resurrection of Jesus made way for the new era - the era of the New Covenant between men and God. No longer does God hold anyone on account of sins, for the world's sins, had been paid for (1 John 2:2). He had paid the sins of the world. Since 2000 years ago, it is no longer sins that keep men from God. Instead, the individual’s free will whether or not to receive that gift of life (John 5:24)
Last Easter, we started our church Sunday service in an external venue rather than our home. This year, we launch this Partner Letter.
Dear Partner, God is encouraging you today that He is the God of beginning. You don't need to wait until the first of January next year to begin something. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares that His mercy is new every morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
So, you can start anything new that God has prompted you to start. What has been in your heart and mind for a while? Do not neglect it. It is the Holy Spirit working in you, revealing His purpose for you. Psalm 62:5 says, "my expectation is from Him”.
When your heart is right with the Lord, your desire will be His desire. Therefore, He promises to give the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).
The resurrection of Jesus marks the new beginning of Easter. Your new beginning is similar too. It is either a new birth of a new dream or the resurrection of the “old dream”. Like Jesus has a new resurrection body, the resurrection of your "old dream" will have a new outlook. It is the same dream but a different expression.
Let us use some of the breaks during this holiday period, between Good Friday and Easter Monday, to reflect on Jesus' death and crucifixion and relate it to your God-given dream.
Romans 8:11
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Just as the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your “old dream”.
Hope in Him, not in your abilities, to resurrect your dream.
