New Creations {Wrap-Up}

January 31, 2019 by Patti Brown 1 Comment

This month, in our series “New Creations”, we peeked into the lives of a few of the men and women in the Bible who were transformed when they accepted Jesus.

Beyond the well-known stories of Peter changing from a prideful, impulsive man to a humble, eloquent speaker, and Paul making a 180° life turn from violent anti-Christian crusader to Christian missionary, we find smaller, yet just as significant, caterpillar-to-butterfly stories that inspire.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Stories like that of Jairus’ daughter, who was literally brought back from the dead to a new life. “When there seems no way possible, Jesus steps in and creates newness. He reaches out to us, His beloved children, and says to us, ‘Child, arise!'”

We can follow the example of Lois and Eunice, whom God used to nurture faith, disciple believers, and spur others on as they followed God’s call.

Nicodemus was humble enough to learn new lessons and accept fresh revelations, even though he was an established Pharisee leader, and most of his peers opposed Jesus.

Just like in Lydia, the transforming work of Jesus Christ in our lives grows in us open hearts, open ears, and open hands.

And Martha, who when she took her feelings about her birther and sister to Jesus, encountered the Truth of who Jesus is, and it changed her heart.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

As a follower of Christ, you don’t have to rely on your own strength to make changes in your life. God is faithful and loves you, and He will see His work to completion! You, beloved child of God, are a new creation!

God is faithful and will see His work to completion in you! #NewCreations

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Read all the posts in our #NewCreations series!

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An Open Heart – Lydia Made New

January 27, 2019 by Patti Brown 1 Comment

As we continue to look at men and women of the New Testament who were made into new creations by their faith in Jesus Christ, today we turn our gaze on Lydia, the open-hearted woman Paul encountered on a missionary trip.

In this post, part of our series on men and women of the New Testament who were made into new creations by their faith in Jesus Christ, we take a look at Lydia, the open-hearted woman Paul encountered on a missionary trip. Like Lydia, we are called to have open hearts, open ears, and open hands.

Who Was Lydia?

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

Paul met Lydia in Philippi (Acts 16:12), located in what is now modern Greece. Based on Scriptural records, this appears to have been the first place Paul preached in Europe. Lydia was from Thyatira, a city in what is now Turkey. This city was known for its dyeing industry, famed especially for the purple goods it produced.

Lydia evidently learned the trade in her hometown and brought her expertise to Philippi, as we are told in Acts 16:14 that she was “a seller of purple goods.” We don’t learn much about Lydia; a husband is never mentioned, which is somewhat unusual. She clearly was a businesswoman, and probably a woman of means, as she had her own home (Acts 16:15)

“The expression σεβ. τὸν Θεόν shows that she was “a proselyte of the gate”; she could easily have gained her knowledge of the Jewish religion as she was πόλεως Θυατείρων where a Jewish colony had been planted, and there is reason to believe that the Jews were specially devoted to the dyeing industry for which Thyatira and the Lydian land in general were noted. Thus the inscriptions make it certain that there was a guild of dyers οἱ βαφεῖςat Thyatira, “ Expositors Greek Testament

Lydia is considered the first convert to Christianity in Europe. What can Lydia show us about what a new creation looks like?

An Open Heart

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26

God opened Lydia’s heart to receive the truth about Jesus: “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14). Once God opens your heart to Him it is never the same!

A softened heart is more compassionate, more able to see others as God sees them. Those who truly abide in Christ can’t help but reach out toward the needy as He did.

Open hearts are more ready to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30 and 31)

“Heart, in Scripture sense, signifies both the understanding and the will: thus, ‘With the heart man believeth unto righteousness’ (Romans 10:10). [Lydia’s] understanding was enlightened, her heart changed; she now loved what she before hated, and hated what before she loved. “ Mathew Poole

Open Ears

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

When God makes us new, we become more attentive! We begin to hear His Word in a new way. We recognize His presence and His influence on our lives.

“Luke recognises the attentive interest, which Lydia with her heart unclosed directed to the word, as produced by the influence of the exalted Christ (ὁ Κύριος) working for the promotion of His kingdom” – Heinrich Meyer

Lydia didn’t just listen one time. The Greek word ἤκουεν is in the imperfect tense, indicating an ongoing hearing. Like Lydia, you and I have had our ears opened for an ongoing conversation with God that will last for eternity!

Open Hands

One of the first things we are told that Lydia does after being baptized is invite Paul and his companions to her home, not just to visit, but to stay. Later, after Paul and Silas were released from prison, they went back and saw Lydia again. The text indicated there may have been many at the house:

“So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.” – Acts 16:40

Lydia had open hands, and generously gave of what she had. Being transformed by Jesus helps us see that material goods are not only fleeting, but a gift from God, and meant to be shared.

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. – Acts 4:32

Scripture also tells us that Lydia was baptized along with her whole household (Acts 16:15). She did not keep the good news to herself, but generously shared with those whom she loved and was responsible for. The truth about Jesus Chris was the best gift she could give!

New Creation

Like Lydia, the transforming work of Jesus Christ in our lives grows in us open hearts, open ears, and open hands.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Though life may seem the same around you and difficulties still arise, inside you have been made new, and through Christ you have the strength to joyfully live open hearted!

Like Lydia, we are called to have open hearts, open ears, and open hands. #NewCreations

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Every Day is a Gift of New

July 27, 2017 by Caroline Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about change. Big changes and small changes and how, regardless, any change can make an impact — negatively or positively.

I think change is largely a gift. Even if change is something small.

A gift to try something new and learn more.

A gift to see a situation with new eyes.

A gift to start new each day.

Noticing change and newness, even seeing the small changes, can boost our gratitude, too. Gratitude in the opportunity for a fresh day each day, and gratitude in see every blessing.

So, I think God gifts us change in each new day so we can change and renew our minds and hearts to His love and loving others.

That’s why I’m loving rereading this post from Patti from 2014, and I hope you’ll love it and the gift of change and newness in each day, too.

Each Day is a New Beginning

by Patti Brown

Do you ever feel like a hamster in a running wheel? Round and round you go with the same old habits, the same stinkin’ thinkin’. You wonder how you will ever get off.

You wonder if you will ever shake a sense of defeat.

I have my own entrenched habits that I often vow to overcome. I will never eat sugar again! No complaint shall ever pass these lips! Some days I’ll do well. Most days? Not so much.

I love to make big plans… do you? I sit with my pencil and paper and scratch out lists and schedules and create a world of perfection. A world where I never do wrong and everything goes according to plan.

Then I put the paper down and life seems to go along as it always has.

Yet as I look back over the past few decades, I barely recognize the woman I was twenty years ago. How is this possible?

Real change has always come for me in the small. It has come in the moments of one choice – do I speak my frustration or keep my mouth closed right now? Do I hit snooze or drag myself out of bed and read my bible? Do I believe what God’s Word says about me in this moment or do I believe the enemy’s accusations?

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Each day is a new opportunity to make decisions that honor God. His love for you is so great – He lavishes it on you with His continual mercy and forgiveness.

It is not always easy to make those small decisions that lead to godly change, but you have an advocate! Jesus Christ, who knew all the temptations of man…

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

Do you feel defeated in some area of your life? Take heart. God is not looking for perfection… He knows you can’t deliver on that.

But progress, yes indeed, that is possible. You can head in the right direction. Every little choice you make that honors God makes a difference. Every time you speak lovingly to your kids when you feel like yelling, every time you stay silent instead of complaining, every time you choose God’s way instead of your own – it is a new beginning.

Today is a new beginning! Be refreshed in His love and mercy!

Share how you’re loving God’s gift of change and newness in the comments.

Every little choice you make that honors God makes a difference.

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Change is largely a gift. See part of why here:

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