CHBC Connect for January 10, 2025

by Pastor Mark DeMoss on January 10, 2025

Resolutions or Renewal:

It is a new year. It is 2025! One quarter of a century into the 21st century. For those of us who remember the hubbub of Y2K, it is a bit of a shock at how quickly time has passed. But here we are, the beginning of yet another year. 

Some people begin each new year with some new goals in mind, often called a New Years Resolution. The sad reality is that the idea of a New Years Resolution has taken on almost a joke status. It is something you commit to do of which no one expects you to still be committed to it much past the first month of the year. What has, at the heart of it, the idea of a fresh beginning is simply laughed away.

That is why I would like you to consider the idea of renewal rather than resolution. Renewal has some very strong biblical overtones. David prayed in his very famous Psalm of confession, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

When the children of Israel would stray from following God, they would call for a covenant renewal (Ex. 34; Deut. 29; Josh. 5).

The New Testament is also full of examples where the believer lives a life of renewal. It is supposed to be a continual process for believers. “Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16)

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary gives this definition of renew, “In theology, to make new; to renovate; to transform; to change from natural enmity to the love of God and his law; to implant holy affections in the heart; to regenerate.”

The Christian life is one of transformation. As we desire to be more like Christ, we must be seeking transformation. How is this daily transformation possible? “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2)

We renew our minds by reading our Bibles.

We renew our minds by meditating on His holy principles. (Phil. 4:8-9)

We renew our minds by memorizing Scripture.

We renew our minds by rejecting the enemy’s mental attacks.

We renew our minds by asking the Holy Spirit to work within us.

Have New Years resolutions if they will help you set some new positive habits or achieve some goals for 2025. But whatever you do, choose to live a life of renewal. That will have eternal results. God bless CHBC and God bless 2025.

By His Grace, and For His Glory

Pastor Mark

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