Life and Renewal

Lauren brought this flower in last night and put it in this jar of water. We told her that the flower was dead and that the water wasn't going to help it. However, we let her proceed. This morning after my devotion I walked into the kitchen and immediately saw the flower and heard God whisper to me 'my living water can renew and bring to life all things.'

Before Christ we are dead, filled with ignorance and misinformation, alienated from God. But we have the choice now to be renewed, to become a new creation, and to be reconciled to our Father thru Christ Jesus who shed his blood on the cross.

Lauren believed that the water would bring to life the flower. In this same way we need to remember that God can bring those we love who are in darkness into a new life. That dreams and visions that we thought were lost or had faded he can bring to life. And that even the smallest of flowers that seem dead he can bring to life. As believers no matter how dead things seem around us at times, we should not forget that in Christ we find life and renewal. It is him that brings to life all things. "For by him all things were created..." (Colossians 1:16)

Let this coming year be a year of renewal and new beginning for you.

"At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't want to walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned into the Message, carefully not to be distracted or diverted." (Colossians 1:21-23) The Message

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!"

(2 Corinthians 5:17) NIV