Sunday, January 1, 2012

iPray Newness

Anything NEW with you?

"Happy Year!"

Wait, I think that greeting is missing something.  Oh yes, it's the NEW part.  Why would I wish you a happy year without including the most important part?  Without the NEW there is a whole lot missing.

"What's new?"

"Not much, same old same old.  Anything new with you?"

"Not really.  Just chugging along."

See what I mean?  If it's not a NEW year then what on earth are we celebrating?  The same old thing, just chugging along.  Nothing new to think about, nothing new to gain.

What would you think if someone came up to you as the calendar turns over with this greeting:

"Happy year!  Have fun being stuck in the past and not moving forward with anything.  Forget your goals, dreams, aspirations or your God given purpose for what lies ahead.   Love that there is nothing new, just the same old thing.  Just chugging along!  Time to turn over an old leaf.  You know, the one you have turned over again and again and nothing has come of it but sorrow and pain.  Ring out the old and bring in the older.  Stay lonely.  Stay still.  Stay bitter.  Stay angry.  Stay lazy.  Stay revengeful.  Stay jelious.  Stay in your brand spankin' old ways to have a happy old year!"

I could just see your shocked face.  Mouth dropped open, wide eyes.  That is not the greeting we want to walk around with ringing in our ears.  What exactly are we saying when we give NEW years greeting?

"Happy NEWness in the year to come; be happy because it's a NEW beginning.  Look forward to new opportunities to rejoice!  Newopportunities to be hopeful.  A new baby, new home, new age, new start,new look, new perspective, new chance or maybe even new counter space.  Put off the old, put on the new.  Be dead to the old, alive in thenew!  A new day, a new way.  Something is happening that has not existed before.  There are things to be discovered for the first time.  Fresh things.  It's time for a new season, a new life attitude.  Put on joy, patience, compassion, forgiveness, love and hard work.  Look forward tonew music, new dances, new creations, new life, new vision and a newheart in increasing ways.  Happy NEW year!"

Now that's the greeting that can put a smile on a face!  When I include the NEW I'm blessing you with more than just another year.  Shall I give you this greeting again?  YES, take two!  But this time I will not leave out the most important part!  And this time iPray the blessings of NEWness upon you!

iPray a Happy NEW Years blessing upon you... full of PERSEVERANCE!
In keeping with His promise iPray you are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (From 2nd Peter 3:13)  iPray against the "same old same old" which  stifles a persevering attitude. That you are the seed on good soil with a noble and good heart, hearing the word, retaining it, and by persevering you produce a new crop. (From Luke 8:15)

iPray a Happy NEW Years blessing upon you... full of LOVE!
That the Lord will give you an undivided heart and put a new spirit in you; that He will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (From Ezekiel 11:19)  Because of the Lord's great love iPray that you are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness." (From Lamentations 3:22-23) iPray over you a new command Jesus has given: Love one another.  As He has loved you, so you must love one another. (From John 13:34)

iPray a Happy NEW Years blessing upon you... full of LIFE! 
Therefore, if you are in Christ, the new creation has come.  iPray the old has gone and the new is here! (From 2nd Corinthians 5:17)  Because you were buried with Him through baptism, iPray that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, you too may live a new life. (From Romans 6:4)

iPray a Happy NEW Years Blessing upon you... full of HOPE!
See, the Lord is doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? iPray that you see how He is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (From Isaiah 43:19) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given you new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (From 1st Peter 1:3)

iPray a Happy NEW Years blessing upon you... full of TRUST!
That the Lord put a new song in your mouth, a hymn of praise to your God so that when others ask "What's new," you may respond in a new way!  iPray in Jesus name, you will see and fear the Lord and put your trust in him. (From Psalm 40:3)

iPray a Happy NEW Years blessing upon you... full of WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING!
I ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And iPray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing new fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. (From Colossians 1:9-11)

iPray a Happy NEW Years blessing upon you... full of LIGHT
As you share greetings this year, may you be the one that speaks newness onto others.  For light in a messenger's eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. (From Proverbs 15:30)  So you may be a light for the other nations iPray you will show people all over the world the way to be saved. (From Isaiah 49:6)  That you are not just chugging along but in this new year may you be the light that shines for the world to see. iPray that you are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. (From Matthew 5:14)

iPray it all in the name of Jesus, a-man!

"Happy NEW Year!"


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