Saturday, January 5, 2013

New Beginnings: Triplets of Rebirth



Blank Document: Create. A thrill of anticipation flutters in my heart when I hit those buttons on Word, knowing that God can fill that clean slate with the words He chooses as I yield to His Holy Spirit. I’m often surprised and delighted by the thoughts and word pictures He creates when I don’t clutter the page with my own preconceived notions.

This time of year has more than its share of new beginnings. In many parts of the world, freshly fallen snow creates a pristine landscape, cleansed of yesterday’s grime and soot, coating tree branches with feathery plumes and sparkling crystal, and blanketing downy fields that invite fresh footprints.

Those who celebrate Christmas with gift giving are enjoying their new presents – perhaps the novel experience of an exotic fragrance, the taste and texture of undiscovered gourmet treats, the exciting look of the latest fashion accessory, or even the crisp, cool feel of new sheets. All across the globe people are viewing the first page of their new calendar or journal, and many of us who read devotionals are marveling that once again it is January of a new year.

Our pastor likes to say that the New Year, as well as the start of each month and even the dawning of each new day, is like an automatic reset button. Praise God that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), and that no matter what mistakes we have made and what sins we have committed, He is quick to forgive us and to cleanse us from our sins if we confess them and repent (I John 1:9).

In our daily Bible reading, we are back to Genesis, contemplating the Creator of all, the self-existent One Who simply was “in the beginning.” (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1). Without Him was nothing made that is made (John 1:3). As we have seen in our study of triplets in Scripture, the attributes of God, the Names of Jesus, types of worship, and works of His creation can be described in groups of three. This pattern continues as we look at new beginnings of the earth and of human life.

The Bible describes three new beginnings for the earth and all it contains, even though the earth will in one form or another continue eternally (Psalm 78:69; Ecclesiastes 1:4). First, God created the heavens and earth, as well as light, celestial bodies, water, plants, animals, and man (Genesis 1). But once Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin and death entered their world, and even the earth was cursed and fell into corruption (Genesis 3:17-19; Hebrews 1:11-12; Romans 8:22).

The second beginning for the earth was the flood, in which God caused cataclysmic changes on the earth and its oceans and destroyed most of the earth’s inhabitants because of man’s wickedness (Genesis 7), as we will dscuss further in a subsequent post.

The third beginning for the earth will be renovation by fire, occurring after Christ’s return and His reign in the Millennial Kingdom. Even the very elements of the earth will then burn with an intense heat (2 Peter 3:10) in preparation for the new heavens and new earth (2 Peter 3:13). Christ will make all things new (Revelation 21:5), purging the earth from the corruption of the curse, sin and death.

For God’s children, human life also has three beginnings: conception, birth, and being born again. For every human being, life begins at the moment of conception, at that defining moment when the union of sperm and egg result in a reassortment of genetic material from both the father and mother, containing all the instructions needed to ensure development of a unique person with specific physical and emotional traits.

Everyone on earth was born on a specific year, date and time, with our birthday marking our beginning in this world, that moment when we first cried out to announce our presence. Pediatricians note the newborn’s weight, length, and head circumference and track these three measurements throughout early development. But we were born “few of days and full of trouble,” (Job 14:1) with only a very brief, limited time (James 4:14) to overcome and subdue our sin nature and to honor God with our life.

This can happen only if we have a new spiritual beginning – that moment in time when we are born again (John 3:3-8). That rebirth requires that we come to the end of our natural self and die to our sin nature (1 Corinthians 15:31), realizing that we are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23-28), and that without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Only when we place our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 3-4) as the only way to Heaven (John 14:6) can we be reborn as a new creation in Him (Hebrews 12:24; Galatians 6:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

God has created each born-again believer with the potential to use our own peculiar characteristics to glorify Him, no matter how the world perceives us (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13). What others might see as a defect is like clay in God’s hands to be fashioned into a special vessel consecrated to His purpose (Isaiah 29:16; 64:8; Romans 9:21). At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells us and equips us with at least one spiritual gift to be used to encourage fellow believers (1 Corinthians 12).

A new beginning awaiting all believers is the Rapture, when we will have new bodies, a new address, and a new name (Revelation 2:17). Our bodies will be like that of the resurrected Christ (Philippians 3:21), and we will never die, age, or become ill. Instead of pain, sorrow, and tears, we will experience vitality, joy, and a new song. (Isaiah 35:10; Revelation 5:9; 21:4). Our new home will be in our own mansion, (John 14:2) in Heaven, in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2).

As 2013 begins, I’m eagerly anticipating what God has in store for this year, and even more eagerly awaiting the new beginning of the Rapture! It could be this year or even this very day – may we be ready by knowing and serving Him! 


© 2013 Laurie Collett
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47 comments:

Denise said...

Blessings to you in 2013.

Brenda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan @ EphesiansWife said...

Hey! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I am blown away by the powerful message you have! This is clearly a ministry the Lord is using!!
I was just reading the story of the flood in my quiet time and I was just in awe of the promise of God and His faithfulness through it all. We truly serve a holy God!!!!
Have a blessed and glorious Sunday! :)

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
yes 2013 is here and the world knows not what tomorrow brings. How important it is for all to come to the knowledge of salvation in Jesus, and for those who do know Him to serve Him well by glorifying Him.
God bless you in your ministry.
( had to delete first comment because I put 2012 instead of 2013, can't live in the past can we? )

Laurie Collett said...

And to you, dear one! Happy New Year!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Megan,
Your kind words are such a blessing & a confirmation to me! We serve an awesome God, and He is faithful! Hope you'll be back next week, when I plan to elaborate on the flood.
May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Brenda! May we all spread His Word & glorify Him in all we say & do!
May God bless you & your ministry richly in 2013 and beyond, until He comes again!
Laurie

Janis Cox said...

Hi,
I am landing on your page again. A sign? dropping by from Jumping Tandem. A clean slate - a new year - what is He going to do this year?
Blessings,
Janis www.janiscox.com

Laurie Collett said...

Welcome, Janis, once again! It's exciting to look forward to what God will do this year -- especially if this is the year He will return!
Thanks so much for your comment, & God bless,
Laurie

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Good point! Our poet, Adam Mickiewicz (he lived in the 19th century) wrote: "You believe, that Christ is born in the stable, but You are poor, if He wasn't born in You". Greetings and blessings to You! :)

Donald Fishgrab said...

It is such a blessing to know that Jesus said; "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," in Matthew 6:34. I don't need to carry over yesterdays problems or failures, nor do I need to worry about future ones.

Laurie Collett said...

I like that, Zim! The Creator and Owner of all came to earth in a humble stable, that all who trust Him would be rich in abundant, eternal life.
Greetings & blessings to you too!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Donald! He is infinitely good and infinitely great, and we can completely trust His plan & provision for us.
Thanks for your comment, & God bless!
Laurie

a joyful noise said...

Thank you for sharing your interesting study of threes in birth. Also thank you for your comments to Robert and me for the New Year. Thanks for being a welcome guest at Tell Me a Story.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Hazel, for your kind comment & for hosting!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Leyla! God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this post as we start a New Year! Very inspirational. Take care and I wish you God's richest blessings in 2013!

Joan said...

Hey! I followed you through the "I Love my Post" blog hop! So glad I found your blog, i'm a new follower :) Come follow back if you'd like!

Pamela said...

I love the thought of a reset button. I thankful for new mercies each day. "Great is thy faithful, O God my Father. Morning by morning new mercies I see."

Laura said...

This life, to me, is a series of little deaths and rebirths--that constant dying to self that I must do overt and over. Good words here, Laurie.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks for your kind words, Judy! May you and yours have all the best of joy, peace and love in 2013! God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Welcome, Joan! Thanks so much for your comment & for following! I'm following you too!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Pamela! I love that hymn!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Laura! Paul spoke of dying daily to his sin nature. It's reassuring to know that he went through the struggles each of us must go through in our Christian walk.
Blessings to you,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Hi Laurie
Glad I found your blog at New Life Steward! Your explanation of how to become a new person in Christ is so well, yet so easily explained! Sometimes it amazes me that we made something so simple and made it so complex. Thank you! I love your analogy with physical birth!
Much love
Mia

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Mia,
I'm so glad you found my blog too, and that you found the post to be helpful! Thanks so much for your visit & comment -- you are a blessing! Please let me know if you ever have any questions that I might be able to help you with.
Love in Christ,
Laurie

Denise said...

Hi Laurie; visiting from the Sheltering Tree...

I love what your pastor said "the dawning of each new day is like an automatic reset button"-amen! Every day should be a journey to discover a new meaning in our lives; when we are inspired by some great purpose, and step out of our comfort zone and embrace it, we become alive and excited and enjoy ourselves in the process! :)

Blessings and love,
Denise

Lisa Maria said...

Hi Laurie...Happy New Year to you. This was a very interesting post and I do agree that the days are drawing closer to the Second Coming of Christ. I pray that each of us will be able to live in His Grace until then.

God's blessings to you and yours!

mail4rosey said...

Just swinging over to say good morning and see what good news you've put up since last I visited. :) Happy to have found the comforting post.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Denise! Being a new creation in Him is truly an amazing adventure! We don't know what each day holds in store, but Praise God He holds & leads us!
Thanks so much for your visit & insightful comment, & God bless!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Lisa Maria, for your visit and kind words. Amen -- may He come quickly and may we live every moment in His perfect will until then.
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, mail4rosey, for your lovely comment! You are such a blessing!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Kisha, and welcome to you! I'm headed over to your blog now!
Happy New Year & God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Hi Laurie! Thank you for following along, hopping by, and linking up to the Thumping Thursdays! I am now following you as well. Hope to see you again next week! :)

Honeybee said...

Praise the Lord for His everlasting mercy! What a great way to start the new year feeling fresh and focus and be reminded of God's grace. Happy New Year.

http://nondieter.blogspot.com

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Maria, for following & for hosting! I'll be back on Thursday, Lord willing!
God bless,
Laurie

Paula said...

Hi Laurie! Thanks for sharing this post also with my NO RULES Weekend Blog Party :)

Paula
lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Honeybee! Praise God for His grace! Thanks for your lovely comment & visit, & Happy New Year to you!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Paula, for your comment & for hosting!
God bless,
Laurie

Naomi said...

Laurie....I love it! You always inspire my heart with the Word. Thank you for sharing at WJIM. Blessings to you friend.

A Proverbs 31 Wife said...

Thanks for Sharing this at Matrimonial Mondays. I sometimes liken a New Year to a new tablet like the one I received for Christmas. There is just a tiny thrill, as you consider just what those pages could be filled with!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Naomi, for your uplifting words of encouragement.
May God richly bless you & your ministry,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Proverbs 31 Wife, for your comment & for hosting! Praise the Lord for new beginnings & blank pages!
God bless,
Laurie

Judith said...

This is a beautiful post. What a beautiful picture is at the top of your blog. Thanks for sharing this over at WholeHearted Home this past week. Hope to see you tomorrow!!

AngieOuellette-Tower said...

Such a wonderful message!! & it is amazing how God uses numbers! Thank you so much for sharing on my blog hop!
Angie
godsgrowinggarden.com

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Judith, for the very kind words and for hosting! I plan to link up again this week!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Angie, for hosting and for your encouragement! God's use of numbers is amazing indeed. What am awesome God we serve!
Blessings to you,
Laurie