As we think about the New Year with new possibilities and new opportunities to learn and grow, here is my heart’s desire for those who read Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe:
As the New Year unfolds in beauty in 2023,
May we rise to become all God has called us to be.
We explore the exceeding great and precious promises that God has in store for us, reminded of who He is and what He alone can do:
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19:
Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Each New Year represents a new beginning, as God reminds us once again that He makes all things new. As I considered deeply the concept of a new beginning or a fresh start, I happened to think of this poetic expression:
All Things New
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true.
Almighty, God of the impossible is my name.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through.
I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Never forget what I have already brought you through.
You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough
Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you.
With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim:
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
As we embark further into the New Year, we may encounter challenges and demanding situations that seem impossible to resolve on our own. The Bible reminds us of God’s unfailing power and strength to turn seemingly impossible situations into triumphant victories. We must never forget the message of Isaiah 43:19.
As Lara Martin reminds us, “God is Doing a New Thing”:
Although we are well beyond the halfway point of the New Year, 2019, in the minds of many people we are still experiencing a “new beginning.” During this time, we think about the remainder of the year and what it holds in store for us, as we recall who God is and what He alone can do. We can apply these words every day, for our Father graciously provides “a new beginning” or a “fresh start” with the bold declaration found in Isaiah 43:16, 18-19:
I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.
18 “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
The passage from Isaiah inspired this poetic expression:
God is constant, never changing. Yet God is fluid, ever-changing. Like the ocean and horizon at sunset and sunrise, Always the same yet never quite the same, Infinitely wise, ruler of earth and skies, We humbly recognize our savior and creator, Who makes all things new. Marvelous are His works; Righteous are His ways. Worthy of the glory, We give our highest praise. Never changing, yet ever-changing, Who is like unto our God? There is no one like Him. Who is like unto our God?
Each day represents a new beginning, as God once again makes
All Things New
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new. Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same. As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true. Almighty, God of the impossible is my name. Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through. I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame. As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Never forget what I have already brought you through. You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game. Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim. As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you. With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim: Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new. As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
The reference to God as “Lord of the breakthrough” caused me to think about the film, Breakthrough, released earlier this year. Based on an actual account of a mother’s unwavering commitment to pray that her son would recover after being rescued from the icy waters of a frozen lake, the film depicts the power of prayer, despite seemingly impossible circumstances.
Pastor Jason Noble, the actual minister portrayed in the film, offered this definition of the term “breakthrough”:
“A military advance all the way and beyond an enemy’s front-line defense. An action or instance of surpassing an obstruction, the overcoming of a stalemate. . . a significant or sudden advance, development, achievement that removes a barrier to progress.”
Pastor Jason shared how we can position ourselves for a miracle. He spoke of the human component of every miracle in the Bible. He said, “When God speaks a promise in your life, you must hold on to it. We have to partner with God.” He went on to say there is a place for us, a destination where we can experience a personal breakthrough.
The Bible reminds us of God’s unfailing power and strength to turn a seemingly impossible situation into a glorious triumph in the account of David who inquires of the Lord before going into battle with the Philistines in 1 Chronicles 14:8-16.
1 Chronicles 14:11 in the Good News Translation (GNT) summarizes what occurred:
11 So David attacked them at Baal Perazim and defeated them. He said, “God has used me to break through the enemy army like a flood.” So that place is called Baal Perazim.
(We note that this name in Hebrew means “Lord of the Breakthrough.”)
In a similar way, Isaiah 59:19 reveals that when the enemies of God come upon God’s people seeking to overwhelm us, the spirit of the Lord responds in this way:
Isaiah 59:19
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
As we embark further into another new beginning, we also may encounter challenges and difficult situations that seem impossible to resolve on our own. Obstacles confront us and block our progress toward our destination which seems so close, yet circumstances hinder us everywhere we turn. We desperately seek a breakthrough to catapult us to victory. Like David, we seek to do God’s will, knowing He has already equipped us for victory, having already gone before us triumphantly, for He is “Lord of the Breakthrough.”
Israel and New Breed confirm our declaration with “Lord of the Breakthrough.”
As the New Year continues to unfold, I happened to read a statement from Apostle Eric Warren, and it will serve as the Quote of the Day for January 9, 2019:
God wants to reveal Himself to you and through you in a new way this year! Are you available?
Several thoughts came to mind as I continued to consider deeply the passage from Isaiah: which serves as a launching pad for the New Year.Isaiah 43:16, 18-19:
16 This is what the Lord says,
He who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters,
“Do not remember the former things,
Or ponder the things of the past.
19
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even put a road in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
The Message Bible puts it this way:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Each New Year represents a new beginning, as God reminds us once again that He makes all things new. In thinking about a new beginning or a fresh start, I thought of the power of the Word of the Lord when spoken and believed:
God’s Unfailing Power
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 [NKJV]
No word of God spoken shall be devoid of power
But shall prosper in the thing to which it is sent,
Beyond all past limits, to its farthest extent
And thus abound in fruit as seed of the sower,
Returning four-fold measure to the one who lent.
It is impossible not to fulfill God’s will,
Once spoken and thus declared that the Lord might show
The wonders of His amazing ways and instill
In us His unfailing power that we might know
That in the beginning God spoke, and it was so.
Sharper than a two-edged sword, cutting as a knife,
The word is quick to energize and encompass
The past, present and future, merging to bring forth life.
While yet in our mouths, it has come already come to pass.
The question raised at the end of the Quote of the Day brought to mind this response expressed in one of my all-time favorite Gospel songs: “Lord, I’m Available to You”:
As we conclude another year, the Verse of the Day for December 31, 2018 reveals the creative power of God Almighty who declares:
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (NIV):
This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
We reflect upon blessings of the past year with gratitude and anticipate even greater blessings awaiting us in the coming year, as each New Year represents a fresh start, as God reminds us once again that He makes all things new. As we considered deeply the concept of a new beginning or another chance, think about these simple lyrics:
It’s new, new, new–brand new.
God is doing a new thing.
Lift your voice and sing His praise.
Bless the Lord and glorify His name.
It’s new, new, new–fresh as the morning dew.
God is doing a new thing in our midst.
If we do not faint, we shall reap in due season.
Open your eyes and see, it’s a brand new day.
God is pouring out His spirit in this new season.
Open your ears to hear what the Spirit has to say.
It’s new, new, new–brand new.
God is doing a new thing.
Lift your voice and sing His praise.
Bless the Lord and glorify His name.
It’s new, new, new–fresh as the morning dew.
God is doing a new thing in our midst.
As we embark upon this new season unfolding before us, we pause to reflect upon God’s goodness and mercy that sustained us through the most challenging circumstances of the past year. We also recognize that in the coming year we may encounter even more challenges and more difficult situations that seem impossible to resolve on our own. We are assured that if God triumphantly came through on our behalf before, He can and will do it again. During this time we also savor the present reality that in all our circumstances “we conquer more and more.” Finally, we look forward even greater triumphs in the days ahead, as we move from faith to faith, glory to glory, and victory to victory. Here is a word of encouragement that we all might be
Strengthened for the Journey
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14
Let us pause to reflect upon the past,
Not with longing to relive bygone days.
Though some were fine, such moments cannot last
A lifetime. The budding rose never stays
The same but unfolds in lovelier ways.
Let us linger to absorb the essence
Of this moment’s triumph. Another phase
Of growth we note within our lifetime since
We first began the quest toward excellence.
Let us look ahead with vision and strive
Toward greater goals, for each day we commence
To grow toward our perfection, as we thrive.
May we see clearly where our paths have led
And be strengthened for the journey ahead.
Michael John Poirier offers a song of encouragement to remind us that the Lord provides “Strength for the Journey.”
Although this passage from Isaiah is not the Verse of the Day for November 26, 2017, these words previously posted at the beginning of the New Year also come to mind at this time:
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19:
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea
And a path through the mighty waters,
18 “Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
The passage from Isaiah also brings to mind this poetic expression:
God is constant, never changing.
Yet God is fluid, ever changing.
Like the ocean and horizon at sunset and sunrise,
Always the similar yet never the same,
Infinitely wise, ruler of earth and skies,
We humbly recognize our savior and creator,
Who makes all things new.
Marvelous are your works;
Righteous are your ways.
Worthy of the glory,
We give our highest praise.
Never changing, yet ever changing,
Who is like unto our God?
There is no one like Him.
Who is like unto our God?
As I embark upon a new phase of my journey, a new beginning, God reminds me once again that He makes all things new. While considering deeply the concept of a new beginning or a fresh start, these lyrics reinforce the message:
Behold, I make all things new.
Behold, I make all things new.
Behold, I make all things new, brand new.
Things will never be the same.
Behold, I am making you new.
Behold, I am making you new.
Behold, I am making you new, brand new.
You will never be the same.
The same expression is also the title of another poem with the same message.
All Things New
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true.
Almighty, God of the impossible is my name.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through.
I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Never forget what I have already brought you through.
You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough
Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you.
With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim:
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
These reflective comments and poetic expressions serve as a prelude to this announcement:
Beginning September 26, 2017, Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe will be temporarily closed for renovations. In addition, a new website is being developed along with other special projects designed to enhance the ministry of the Word of God which continues to be the life-force of Dr. J. Thank you for support and encouragement over the years. Please continue to pray for me during this time of transition, as God’s “new thing” unfolds. We will be sure to let you know when we are back in business. . . “Compounding after the art of the apothecary.”
We “close shoppe” with a Scripture Memory Song based on Isaiah 43:18-19, 25:
As the New Year unfolds beginning with Sunday, January 1, we examine a Quote of the Day related to prospects for 2017, a statement from Pastor Marcus Gill:
“2017 will be a year of unlimited goodness and unlimited favor.”
As we reflect upon these two concepts in light of the coming year, lyrics from two original songs come to mind: one proclaims the goodness of God and asks a question; the other speaks of the subsequent favor of God flowing from His goodness:
The Goodness of the Father
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance,
and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God
leads you to repentance?
Romans 4:2 (NKJV)
Don’t you know the goodness of God leads us to repentance?
He has cancelled the curse and commuted our sentence.
By His gift of love and grace, Christ has taken our place
And redeemed us from the hand of the enemy.
Open your eyes and you will see
His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering.
Yes, the goodness of the Father leads us to repentance.
Don’t you know the goodness of the Father leads us to repentance?
O how good, He’s so good, beyond compare,
Exquisite and rare; He’s so good.
O how good, He’s so good,
Come join with me: O, taste and see that the Lord is good.
Yes, the goodness of the Father leads us to repentance.
Don’t you know the goodness of the Father leads us to repentance?
From his goodness flows his favor,
O, taste and see that the Lord is good.
He has promised goodness to his servants;
He has clothed us with salvation.
Let us rejoice in goodness, and declare that only the Lord, our God, is good.
Yes, the goodness of the Father leads us to repentance.
Don’t you know the goodness of the Father leads us to repentance?
Out of God our Father’s limitless goodness flows boundless favor. In a previous entry, we noted that the word “favor” has also been translated “grace.” God extends His grace, His undeserved favor toward His people. The lyrics to the following song describe God’s super-abounding favor:
Favor upon Favor
Favor, favor, favor upon favor,
Favor, favor, favor upon favor
Unprecedented favor, unparalleled favor,
Flowing from the fullness of the Father,
Is falling without measure upon the Body of Christ.
Where we work there is favor
Where we live there is favor
Where we meet there is favor
Up and down each street there is favor
Where we pray there is favor
Where we play there is favor
Every day there is favor
In every way there is favor
Where we learn there is favor
Everywhere we turn, there is favor
Here and there and everywhere
There is the overflowing favor
Never-ceasing, ever-increasing favor.
There is favor, favor, favor upon favor,
Favor, favor, favor upon favor.
Let us savor each golden moment of the favor of God.
Favor, favor, favor upon favor,
Favor, favor, favor upon favor
Unprecedented favor, unparalleled favor,
Flowing from the fullness of the Father,
Is falling without measure upon the Body of Christ.
As we think about the New Year and what it holds in store for us, we are also reminded of who God is and what He alone can do. A passage of scripture associated with the New Year comes from the Prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19:
16 This is what the Lord says,
He who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters,
“Do not remember the former things,
Or ponder the things of the past. 19
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even put a road in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
The Message Bible put it this way:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Each New Year represents a new beginning, as God reminds us once again that He makes all things new. In thinking about a new beginning or a fresh start, this poem comes to mind:
All Things New
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true.
Almighty, God of the impossible is my name.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through.
I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Never forget what I have already brought you through.
You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough
Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you.
With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim:
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
As we embark further into the New Year, we will undoubtedly encounter challenges and difficult situations that seem impossible to resolve on our own. The Bible reminds us of God’s unlimited goodness and unlimited favor that reflect His power and strength to turn a seemingly impossible situation into a triumphant victory.
We conclude our comments with this song of encouragement from Israel Houghton. As the New Year unfolds, we are not looking back but moving ahead; indeed, we are “Moving Forward”:
As we close out 2015 and prepare to enter 2015, the Verse of the Day for December 31, 2015 comes from Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (NLT):
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 42:9 makes known the same truth:
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 48:6 also reminds us that God is continually revealing “new things”:
Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
“To do a thing” means “to work, to do, to make, to fashion, to improvise, to create, to produce.” In discussing the word “new” we find that the Hebrew hadas is translated “new” in the sense of being fresh, recent—in contrast to the old or former. In the New Testament the Greek term kainos translated “new,” relates to that which is “unaccustomed or unused, not “new” in terms of time, or recent but “new” as to the form or quality (sometimes translated “fresh”); e.g. “new tongues” or “new covenant,” “new commandment,” “new creative act—new creation,” or “new man.” To do a new thing is “to redeem, restore, reaffirm, revive, literally, to make new again . . . renew commitment, renew vows,” etc.
Note this expression in 1 Samuel 11:14 (NIV):
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there reaffirm the kingship.”
In Romans 12:1-3 Paul discusses the concept of “the renewing of your mind,” the ongoing process of transformation that takes place in every believer.
Each New Year, thus, represents a new beginning, but this concept is especially noteworthy as we enter 2016. In reflecting upon the concept of “new beginnings,” I thought of the number 8, symbolic of such a “fresh start.” E.W. Bullinger, in his celebrated work, Numbers in Scripture, and in an Appendix to his Companion Bible, makes the following statement regarding this number:
Eight—Denotes resurrection or new beginning or regeneration or commencement. The eighth is a new first. It is the number that has to do with the Lord, who rose on the eighth day or new first day. By the Gematria, Jesus is 888. It or its multiple is seen in all that has to do with the Lord’s names, the Lord’s people, the Lord’s work. In Hebrew the number eight is Sh’moneh, from the root Shah’meyn, “to make fat,” “cover with fat,” “to super-abound.” As a participle it means “one who abounds in strength,” etc. As a noun it is “superabundant fertility,” “oil,” etc. So that as a numeral it is the superabundant number. As seven was so called because the seventh day was the day of completion and rest, so eight, as the eighth day, was over and above this perfect completion, and was indeed the first of a new series, as well as being the eighth. Thus it already represents two numbers in one, the first and eighth.
With the number 16, we note a new beginning which is doubled or established. The new number also follows 15 which is composed of multiples of five, the number of grace, which represents a triple expression of “grace upon grace upon grace.” This year represents another new cycle of a new beginning (8 x 2).
Each New Year represents a new beginning, as God reminds us once again that He makes
All Things New
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true.
Almighty, God of the impossible is my name.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through.
I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Never forget what I have already brought you through.
You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough
Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you.
With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim:
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Steven Curtis Chapman reinforces the message “You Make All Things New”:
The Verse of Day for January 1, 2015 is the perfectly suited for the first day of the New Year:
II Corinthians 5:17 [Amplified Bible]:
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation—a new thing], old things are passed away. Behold, all things become new.”
This verse also provides a perfect follow-up for the Verse of the Day on the last day of 2014:
Isaiah 43: 16, 18-19
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 42:9 makes known the same truth:
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
“To do a thing” means “to work, to do, to make, to fashion, to improvise, to create, to produce.” In discussing the word “new” we find that term hadas is translated “new” in the sense of being fresh, recent—in contrast to the old or former. In Lamentations 3:23 the essence of the word “new” is “renewed”: God’s creation is renewed or refreshed by His compassion and loving kindness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 declares:
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not; they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Isaiah 48:6 also reminds us that God is continually revealing “new things”:
Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
In the New Testament the Greek word kainos is translated “new,” in terms of that which is “unaccustomed or unused, not “new” in terms of time, or recent but “new” as to form or quality (sometimes translated “fresh”); e.g. “new tongues” or “new covenant,” “new commandment,” “new creative act—new creation,” or “new man.”
As we begin the New Year, we anticipate an awesome display of the “newness” or “freshness” of the power of God, who declares: Behold, I make all things new (Revelation 21:5). In light of the newness of life created in Christ Jesus, on the first day 2015, here is a poetic exhortation to
Arise to a New Place
After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!
And the first voice which I had heard addressing me like
[the calling of] a war trumpet said, Come up here, and
I will show you what must take place in the future.
Revelation 4:1
In Christ you are free from the burdens you once bore.
The shackles of past shortcomings have been lifted,
For the yoke of guilt and shame you will bear no more.
Arise to a new place–all things I have shifted
The shackles of past shortcomings have been lifted.
No longer restricted, cast off every care.
Arise to a new place–all things I have shifted.
Even in darkest times I have always been there.
No longer restricted, cast off every care.
Released from bondage, reproach has been rolled away.
Even in your darkness I have always been there
Pure joy comes with the dawning of a brand new day.
Released from bondage, reproach has been rolled away
In a place where love abounds and peace never ends
Pure joy comes with the dawning of a brand new day
We walk together, hand in hand as faithful friends
Released from bondage, reproach has been rolled away
For the yoke of guilt and shame you will bear no more.
We walk together hand in hand as faithful friends.
In Christ you are free from the burdens you once bore.
Jump Street 3 offers a spirited, upbeat musical rendering of II Corinthians 5:17
On December 31, 2014 as we reflect upon the bountiful blessings of the past year with gratitude and anticipate even more abundant blessings awaiting us in 2015, the Verse of the Day reminds us of who God is and what He alone can do:
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (New Living Translation):
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
The passage from Isaiah also brought to mind this poetic expression:
God is constant, never changing.
Yet God is fluid, ever changing.
Like the ocean and horizon at sunset and sunrise,
Always the same yet never quite the same,
Infinitely wise, ruler of earth and skies,
We humbly recognize our savior and creator,
Who makes all things new.
Marvelous are your works;
Righteous are your ways.
Worthy of the glory,
We give our highest praise.
Never changing, yet ever changing,
Who is like unto our God?
There is no one like Him.
Who is like unto our God?
Each New Year represents a new beginning, as God reminds us once again that He makes all things new. As I considered deeply the concept of a new beginning or a fresh start, I happened to think of the lyrics to a little song composed based on the words, “Behold, I make all things new.”:
Behold, I make all things new.
Behold, I make all things new.
Behold, I make all things new, brand new.
Things will never be the same.
Behold, I am making you new.
Behold, I am making you new.
Behold, I am making you new, brand new.
You will never be the same.
The same expression is also the title of another poem with the same message.
All Things New
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true.
Almighty, God of the impossible is my name.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through.
I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Never forget what I have already brought you through.
You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough
Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you.
With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim:
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
As we embark further into the New Year, we may encounter challenges and difficult situations that seem impossible to resolve on our own. The Bible reminds us of God’s unfailing power and strength to turn a seemingly impossible situation into a triumphant victory. We must never forget the message of Isaiah 43:19.
This particular verse and the tragic death of his nephew became the inspiration for one of Don Moen’s signature musical compositions, “God Will Make a Way,” offered here by Hosanna! Music.
What a wonderful reminder and source of encouragement as we close out 2014 with a grateful heart and enter 2015 with great expectancy.
As we reflect upon the Verse of the Day for December 31, the last day of 2013, it provides a reminder of who God is and what He alone can do:
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19:
Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
The passage from Isaiah brought to mind this poetic expression:
God is constant, never changing.
Yet God is fluid, ever changing.
Like the ocean and horizon at sunset and sunrise,
Always the same yet never quite the same,
Infinitely wise, ruler of earth and skies,
We humbly recognize our savior and creator,
Who makes all things new.
Marvelous are your works;
Righteous are your ways.
Worthy of the glory,
We give our highest praise.
Never changing, yet ever changing,
Who is like unto our God?
There is no one like Him.
Who is like unto our God?
Each New Year represents a new beginning, as God reminds us once again that He makes all things new. As I considered deeply the concept of a new beginning or a fresh start, I happened to think of the lyrics to a little song composed based on the words, “Behold, I make all things new.”
Behold, I make all things new.
Behold, I make all things new.
Behold, I make all things new, brand new.
Things will never be the same.
Behold, I am making you new.
Behold, I am making you new.
Behold, I am making you new, brand new.
You will never be the same.
The same expression is also the title of another poem with the same message:
All Things New
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true.
Almighty, God of the impossible is my name.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through.
I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Never forget what I have already brought you through.
You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game.
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough
Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you.
With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim:
Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.
As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.
As we enter the New Year, we may encounter challenges and difficult situations that seem impossible to resolve on our own. The Bible reminds us of God’s unfailing power and strength to turn a seemingly impossible situation into a triumphant victory. We must never forget the message of Isaiah 43:19.
This particular verse and the tragic death of his nephew became the inspiration for one of Don Moen’s signature musical compositions, “God Will Make a Way,” offered here by Hosanna! Music.
What a wonderful reminder and source of encouragement as 2013 ends and 2014 begins.
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