Jesus’ command to love others as we love ourselves seems appropriate because we live in a world where people could obviously use some help to love others well. But how can Jesus expect us to love ourselves? As a follower of Jesus we die to our former selves and live a new life as Christ lives in us. Embrace the new life you live in Christ. Put off the old self. Then love God and love others.

Questions to ask yourself this week:

1. What do I need to put off ?

2. What have I not made a clean break from that I keep going back to?

3. What areas in life control me keeping me captive in bondage, that I need to surrender to God?

4. Who am I wearing?

5. How can I love my new-self more?

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

To ensure next time is better than last time, release the past so the past can release you. Pardon others as God has pardoned you. Decide they don’t owe you anymore.

You have to decide that the past will remind you, but it won’t define you. Forgiveness is the key to learning the lessons of the past while leaving the luggage of past behind.

Ephesians 4:31–32 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

When we look back on the things that don’t go as planned in life we often and appropriately ask: “What was I thinking?” Looking back, our behaviors and decisions don’t even make sense to us, but it’s not enough to ask the question. You must take the time to answer it. If you think the way you used to think, you’ll do the things you used to do.

Don’t end up asking, “What was I thinking?” Don’t be a conformer; be a transformer. Next time can be better than last time if you renew your mind.

Romans 12:2a - ”Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

One reason history repeats itself is that we don’t own our parts of our histories. And the reason you don’t own it is because there’s nothing to own—it wasn’t your fault!

But if you’re looking to restart in any area of life, you must look back and own your part in order to move ahead. Your best bet for a successful future is to own your share of the past.

Key Ideas to own your part of the past…

1. We can’t blame our way into a better future.

2. Blame enables us to smuggle our issues into our futures.

3. Blame sets us up for repeat performances.

4. Purity of heart brings clarity of thought.

“Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

At the beginning of a new year many of us are hoping for a chance to restart. Whether it’s in the area of our finances, personal relationships, or our relationship with God, most of us have some part of our life that needs to improve.

How can we ensure this year is better than last year? It starts with coming to your senses like the Prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable in Luke 15, and then we have to avoid three myths that keep us from a successful restart.

1. The Experience Myth

Experience doesn’t make you wiser. Evaluated Experience makes you wiser

2. The Know-Better Myth

Knowing better doesn’t mean you have the ability to do better.

3. The Time Myth

Time is not against you. Time is your friend.

”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.“

Romans 8:28 NIV

The life of Jeremiah shows us that just because God has a plan and a purpose for your life that doesn’t mean the days will be easy. The good news is that God promises new mercies for each new day.

Regardless of the challenges you faced last year this promise holds true for you that God will give you new mercies to face this new year. So don’t go through life saying, “Woe is me.” Start asking, “God, what is it you are calling me to do.” His mercy may show up as something miraculous or mundane, but don’t miss it. Look for God’s new mercies with expectancy.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

Christmas can become so familiar that we miss the amazing truth of God's love in the holiday hustle of shopping and gatherings. God the father gave his son to a world living in rebellion against his will. Jesus came to save us, and reconcile us to God. This is the beauty of Christmas.

Christmas is a declaration of the love of God.

Christmas is an invitation to the love of God

1. God has settled the question as to how He feels about you.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

2. God is eager to bless you, not condemn you.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:17

3. God requires that you trust Him.

Our hatred of waiting seems to be one thing many of us have in common. It can be especially frustrating when you are waiting on God, and the longer you wait the more you may start to worry. This week we discovered from the lives of Simeon and Anna how to wait without getting worried.

When you worry in the waiting, remember God is working.

Wait with PASSION.

Wait with PRAYER.

Wait with a PROMISE

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations…

Luke 2:29-31

This week we looked at Mary’s response to the news that she would bring the messiah into the world. While we would expect her to focus on her circumstances and all the difficulty that lay before her, she instead focused on the unchanging and true character of God. Her song of praise to God is an example to us of how to experience peace in the midst of the intense pressure of life.

Mary remembers that…

God sees her

God is set apart (His character is consistent)

God is strong

God has steadfast love for her

Luke 1:48-49: For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.