The New Has Come - 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 ESV 

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

The believer in Christ is changed in a mighty way, though his appearance is the same. We are brought to life from a state of death that was not apparent to our eyes of flesh. We exchange an old creation for a new and lasting one. 

The new has come and is coming, to be revealed at a time of God's choosing. 

We must no longer regard anyone according to the flesh, but see beyond the surface of the natural with the new spirit eyes opened by the Spirit of God. It's a whole new world. 

My Path - Psalms 119:105

Psalms 119:105 ESV 

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

In the darkness of the world there is a way to overcome the darkness. Light has been given and it shines over the deep. 

To the one seeking out the path, following the word will lead the way. It allows us to walk with the Lord. He alone knows the way to the Father. 

Before The Ages Began - 2 Timothy 1:8-9

2 Timothy 1:8-9 ESV 

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

The sacrifice of Christ Jesus was always God's plan to raise a people to be with Him. It was for His own purpose and grace to harvest a holy people to be His own. Through His word we are created and through His word we are saved. 

We become part of the communion of God.  

Dust You Shall Eat - Genesis 3:14

Genesis 3:14 ESV 

The Lord God said to the serpent, 

“Because you have done this,

cursed are you above all livestock

and above all beasts of the field;

on your belly you shall go,

and dust you shall eat

all the days of your life.

We are made from the same dust where the serpent crawls. That is why we have such an affinity for his temptations. We share common ground. It is this ground we must rise above, out of the miry clay. 

The alternative is to be eaten by the snake.

I Press On - Philippians 3:13-14

Philippians 3:13-14 ESV 

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Every follower of Christ has a past and future. The time in their life before Christ is remembered no more by God in His mercy. We should do the same, for ourselves and others. We are no longer children of men, but children of God. Our future has been guaranteed and awaits. 

Every follower has this goal that requires perseverance. We must press on and run the race until the end. When that journey is complete our upward, heavenly call will end in perfection. 

It Is Finished - John 19:30

John 19:30 ESV 

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

From: "Breaking The Code of the Feasts", Perry Stone:

 "One other interesting point concerning this final announcement: on Passover the priest would say, "It is finished" once the final lamb was offered."

This was said by the high priest during the Jewish observance of Passover.

This was said by our high priest after making that last and perfect sacrifice. 

His love endures forever. 

Your Life Appears -Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3:1-4 ESV 

​If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Christ sits on His throne above. We died with Him if we follow Him. We are still on earth, but we partake in the life of Christ in God. In bodies of flesh, we hide the Holy Spirit which is the life of God hidden in us. 

He is above and we are below. His Spirit remains with us. 

When Christ appears, heaven and earth will be joined. We who have been made alive will receive new bodies, leaving behind these bodies of death. We will appear with Him, no longer hidden, but in a glory visible to all eyes. A new creation will be revealed filled with the light of God.