Happy New Year!

"Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth - so wonderful that no one will even think about the old ones anymore.  Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!" ~ Isaiah 65:17-18a 


Were you among those who thought, maybe just a little bit, that the Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world as we know it - or maybe a change in the universe - back on Dec 21st?  Obviously, the 21st came and went, we celebrated the birth of Our Lord and, we are here to celebrate the dawning of 2013!  As many experts said, the Mayans weren't predicting the end of the world, it was simply an end of their cycle.  Regardless of how modern people interpreted their calendar, I find it remarkable that they were able to fathom a date so far into the future!  But looking to an unknown future is nothing new!

The prophet Isaiah told God's people about "new heavens and a new earth" about 681 B.C.  Peter referred to Isaiah's prophesy around A.D. 67 when he wrote to all believers, "But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God." 2 Peter 3:13  Again the new heaven and new earth is written about by the apostle John in approximately A.D. 95 when he said, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared."  ~ Revelation 21:1  Predicting a change in the universe has been in the hands of Christians for a very long time!  A new world has been promised by God and delivered in the birth of Jesus! 

The question for us in 2013 is how will we, as Christians, make our world look more like the 'new earth' of God's promise?  How will we positively impact our family, friends, faith family, community, the world at large, and the health of our planet? 

I rarely make resolutions, because I never keep them!  Even the old "I'm not making resolutions" resolution!  So, this year I've decided to strive to try to spend more time in the Word, especially "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."  ~ John 13:34.  I think if I can do this as much as I am able, then 2013 will become a New Earth!  And any other resolution that I would have made (spending more time with family, enjoying life more, becoming more healthy, improved financial attitude) will fall into place.

Do you have a resolution or plan for 2013?  Share your thoughts below in the Comments - I'd love to hear what you have planned for the new year!  Remember, if you are reading this in your e-mail, click on the Title to go to the website or type www.reonlineblog.blogspot.com into your browser.

Wishing you a year filled with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

Your Partner in Ministry,

Shelly

P.S. We will begin with Chapters 1 & 2 of  It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen on Jan 11, 2013 at 9:15 am.