Freedom to Choose!

For Wednesday, January 1, 2025 New Years Day!

Genesis 1:2 NLT: “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”

God had a blank slate. He could create anything he thought best in his new world. I picture the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters, excitedly saying, “C’mon, man. We’re ready to go! You just give the word, and we’ll get this thing started!”

Everything was going fine. But on the sixth day, God created mankind. In what must have been a difficult decision, he gave mankind the freedom to choose to obey God or not. That way, if mankind truly loved God, it would be real, not just a robot doing the only thing they were programmed to do. That same freedom also gave mankind the ability to make incorrect decisions, to disobey God.

But c’mon friends, we are the Christians, the ones who have chosen to play on God’s team. We’re not perfect and we’ll still make mistakes from time to time. But our heart belongs to the Lord. Think of this new year a dividing line between your old behavior and your new behavior. Make a commitment: “I can live a better life this year, a life more pleasing to God.” Look at this new year as your version of a clean slate, a fresh start!

Get as much as you can out of your gift of another year!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship