2 Corinthians 5:17

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (NASB)

Observation:

Saying goodbye is never easy. Our family and friends gathered to say goodbye to a princess. Our Princess (Melanie) who took strolls in the woods - those where the times when she faced difficulties in life landing her in the hospital - time and again. She would fight and find her strength to live on in this life, but her last stroll in the woods was too much of a fight and she gave way to walking to the other side of the woods, God's side. She sits with Him now in her new body, walking, running, and dancing before the Lord - something that the wheel chair prevented her from doing. Today's verse speaks of anyone who is in Christ is a new creature - the old things have passed away and new things come. For Melanie, our princess, the old wheelchair, feeding tubes, and bouts of walking the woods has given way to a newness of life - a life with our Savior forever - never to be bound again by the struggles of her life. I began by saying that saying goodbye is never easy unless you know they know Christ. For in knowing Christ, we know we will see her again but not the old way for that has passed away, the new way - in the robe of Christ. Never take the old for granted, but put on Christ and let the newness of Him begin something new in your life. Goodbye sweet princess, we will see you again!   

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love. 
• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.