Making All Things New

He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” – Revelation 21:5

If you got a call from a telemarketer, and he told you he could make everything new in your life, how would you respond?

“Yeah, right,” you might reply. “No one could possibly do that!”

However, what if the Creator and King of the entire universe made you this amazing promise? And in case you were still skeptical, perhaps He would add a further assurance: “These words are true and faithful.”

Friend, as you enter another year, your Heavenly Father has given you His Word on this. He can transform your troublesome circumstances and give you a new beginning!

In this same passage in Revelation 21, we’re told that God will dwell with us (v. 3), and “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (v. 4).

If you’re like me, you’re glad to know that the “former things” will eventually pass away! We serve a God of second chances and fresh starts. With His help, we can turn the page on 2017 and every other previous year, making this our best year ever.

So let me encourage you to bring your New Year’s resolutions to the Lord and ask for His strategies and His strength. Whether your goal is to lose weight…get out of debt…rekindle romance in your marriage…or spend more time with your children, you can call upon God for His supernatural help!

You’re Not Alone

If you need some kind of new beginning today, you’re definitely not alone. From time to time, we ALL find ourselves in that position.

We should find great comfort in the fact that the Bible tells numerous stories of people who received breakthroughs and turnarounds from God. I especially love the account of the Samaritan woman who had a life-changing encounter with Jesus while drawing water from a well in the town of Sychar (John 4:1-42).

Later in the story, we learn why this woman needed a turnaround. She had already been married five times, and she now was living with a man who wasn’t her husband. Yet despite her sordid past, she was about to meet someone who could turn things around and give her a wonderful new future. He could show her a kind of love that no mortal man could provide.

But, because of her past choices, this woman was a social outcast. That’s why she came to the well at midday, when it would be so hot that no one else would be there.

To her surprise, someone was sitting by the well when she arrived. Not a Samaritan, but a Jew. Not a woman, as normally would come to draw water, but a man. And He was already there, as if to await her arrival.

It was Jesus, and He met her right where she was…

He knew all about this woman’s shame and brokenness, just as He knows about yours and mine.

He knew she was working to get water that would soon leave her thirsty again.

He saw behind her self-assured facade and knew she was hungry for spiritual truth.

He knew she needed the kind of turnaround that only He could provide.

Just as for this Samaritan woman, a new beginning is available to you today, my friend. It’s time to forget the past and let the Lord fill your heart with a “new song” of praise for His salvation (Psalm 40:3).

Wait No Longer

One of the intriguing parts of the Samaritan woman’s story is found when she told Jesus, “‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things’” (John 4:25).

You see, this woman expected the Messiah to come someday. She could even envision a future day when the Messiah would “tell us all things.”

Yet she didn’t recognize that her new beginning was at hand. There was no need to wait any longer. The long-awaited Messiah was standing right next to her! To the woman’s amazement, Jesus told her, “I who speak to you am He” (v. 26).

There’s a vital lesson here. Perhaps you’ve gotten used to thinking that your turnaround would come at some distant time in the future, if it ever came at all. But Jesus the Messiah is not some faraway person. He’s right there with you, just as He was for the Samaritan woman!

Unexpected Impact

The woman from Samaria was personally transformed by her encounter with Jesus. However, the story doesn’t end there. Her transformation caused a ripple effect that impacted countless other lives as well: “Many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified” (v. 39).

This incredible impact was possible because a woman who had made so many mistakes along the way came face to face with the Messiah. In the same way, God wants to set you free from any past frustrations this year, giving you a new life of fulfillment, fruitfulness, and peace.

Please know that I am praying for you this month, asking God to give you the breakthrough you’ve been longing for. You may not need the kind of forgiveness and restoration Jesus gave the woman at the well. Perhaps you’re seeking a financial breakthrough…healing in your body…restoration of your marriage…reconciliation with your children…deliverance from addiction…or the salvation of your loved ones.

Whatever your needs may be, we’re convinced God wants to turn things around for you this year. Regardless of your struggles in the past, a better day is ahead. As Jesus told one of His disciples, “You will see greater things than these” (John 1:50).

Wherever you may be in your life today, recognize Jesus’ presence and power right there with you. In Him, you’re a “new creation,” and “all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

God bless you,

David Cerullo