Revolutionary Leaders

A Fresh Start

Every year we celebrate New Year's Eve with a countdown and firework commemorating all our accomplishments and joys of yet another year that has passed. Unfortunately, there are other not so happy memories that we want to brush under the carpet and put behind us. They may include the loss of a loved one, a financial set back, a broken relationship, or mistakes made.

What makes New Year's Day so special is that it's like starting all over. You can thank God for a great year, ask forgiveness for all of your mishaps, and start fresh with 365 days of possibilities ahead of you. Cool!

The Apostle Paul was a man who understood first hand what it was like to have a fresh start. In the first part of his life, Paul was called Saul. He comes on the scene in Acts 8 "giving approval to his death" as Stephen was stoned to death for his faith in Christ. Then in chapter 9 it says that "Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." He was a public figure, a man of power, and a man to be feared.

Thankfully, God knocked him off his high horse - literally! Saul had a dramatic encounter with a gracious God, and although he deserved death, he was given a fresh start - a second chance. He embraced that opportunity and we know him today as Paul, the author of most of the New Testament.

I'm sure that his fresh start was on his mind when he penned the words of Philippians 3:13-14. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

What are you doing with your fresh start? I challenge you to read the rest of Philippians chapter 3. If you can, I hope that you'll join us Sunday morning as I speak from this passage and elaborate more concerning this matter. If you can't join us, you can always order the CD. Just email us at rnelmes@ncfirstassembly.com.