2003 is here and each of us has perhaps made those resolutions that will make this year better than the last. Beginning again is what a NEW year is all about. It is an opportunity to clear the books and start over.

Have you considered how many NEW things we participate in because we are a part of what God is doing in the world? In the Old Testament the prophets looked toward a time when God would make a NEW covenant (Jeremiah 31:31). God spoke about giving his people a NEW heart and a NEW spirit, not like the old rebellious one (Ezekiel 18:31).

Jesus, when he instituted the Lord's Supper, spoke of the cup of "the NEW covenant in my blood" (Luke. 22:20). Because of his blood we have the opportunity to experience a NEW birth (John 3). When we are born again we become a NEW creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we begin to live by a NEW commandment (John 13:34). Jesus' teachings are like NEW wine (Luke 5:37) and this NEW birth/creation makes us like NEW wineskins and, therefore, open to how God can change us, continually making us NEW.

We are people who are not imprisoned by the past! Newness is a powerful message. As we live this NEW life we look forward to the NEW Jerusalem, the Holy City (Revelation 21:2) when we will live with God forever.

We have a NEW year and MORE!