Choose New

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​The New Year has come and with it the resolutions for it to be different, better... a fresh, NEW start.

So many good intentions and great ideas... and then how long does it last?

The determination and motivation go so far and then... and then... 

Then the new gets old.

But what if it doesn't have to be that way? Is there a way to keep the steam going, keep the train on the right track? Or is there a chance that when the train goes off track, it can be rescued and put back on the right track?

I am very familiar with the cycle of setting down goals, getting excited about things changing for the better, starting strong, then succumbing to discouragement and weariness. And sometimes getting the courage to try again only to have the cycle repeat.

How do you get out of that cycle? Can you indeed break free?

Yes! Because living in the power of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, you have access to the victory Christ paid for and won! Is it easy? No. But is it possible? Yes! 

It requires, first of all, "choosing new" - you of your own will choose to be made new in Jesus.
Step 1 - believing and trusting in Jesus as your one and only Savior. 
Step 2 - making the choice daily, or even hour by hour or minute by minute if needed, to surrender to Jesus as Lord.
Step 3 - get a perspective shift, and see things through the lens of being a beloved child of a good Father God.

Scripture says if you believe in Jesus, you become a child of God. You are saved and redeemed. But you need to continually choose to  "put on" (hence a choice) the new self/new nature available through Jesus. And as a child of God, live submitting to him, just as a child does with a father. You have victory in Christ, and he is responsible for that victory so you do not have to strive. But God allows free will and the devil hates you and tries to destroy you, so you have to intentionally submit your will to God’s ways to live in freedom.

​In one statement: If you are willing to submit to a God who loves you and wants the best for you, then your surrender to this good Father God will transform you and position you in a place of peace and rest, joy and freedom, and the ability to experience pure love.

But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:16‭-‬17 TPT

But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). [Isa. 61:1, 2.]
2 Corinthians 3:16‭-‬17 AMPC

​.... Be open and vulnerable to God... trust him.... and discover true freedom in your identity in Christ Jesus.

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​True love for God means obeying his commands, and his commands don’t weigh us down as heavy burdens. You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world. So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:3‭-‬5 TPT

​Some more verses that have these ideas: 

Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
Romans 10:9‭-‬10 AMPC

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name–[Isa. 56:5.]
John 1:12 AMPC

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:23‭-‬24 AMPC

For it is Christ’s love that fuels our passion and holds us tightly, because we are convinced that he has given his life for all of us. This means all died with him, so that those who live should no longer live self-absorbed lives but lives that are poured out for him—the one who died for us and now lives again.
2 Corinthians 5:14‭-‬15 TPT

But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.” So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.
James (Jacob) 4:6‭-‬8 TPT

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.
Matthew 11:28‭-‬29 TPT

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
John 16:33 AMPC