NEW BEGINNINGS 2026

The old has passed away, behold all things become new. Isaiah 43:16-19

This is what the Lord says—

he who made a way through the sea,

a path through the mighty waters,

17who drew out the chariots and horses,

the army and reinforcements together,

and they lay there, never to rise again,

extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

19See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

Every day is a new day…every new year we begin a new calendar with 365 new days. What will we do with these days?

God spoke to me of new beginnings, fresh starts, second chances… He wants us to get our priorities in order: God first, second our spouse then our children, third our work and fourth our ministry. When these are not in proper order, there is breakdown. 

1. In 1 Corinthians 13: 11-12 we see that we are to put away the childish things. “When I was a child I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; Then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; Then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  

2. In James 1:1-8 James, the brother of Jesus and one of the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem, introduced himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wrote this letter to Christians everywhere to teach them the practice of Christianity. He insists that if we have real faith, we will show it by acting like Christians. He gives practical advice on things like anger and quarrelling, showing favoritism, controlling the tongue, boasting, patience and prayer.

These are the stories of three people whose lives had radical new beginnings when they had an encounter with Jesus Christ.

       1. Nicodemus (John 3) Whose name means  “conqueror of the people”  was a prominent member of the Jewish ruling council, a Pharisee who met Jesus at night and learned about being born again in John 3. Nicodemus had a profound encounter with Jesus and was transformed from cautiously inquiring about being born again to courageous public discipleship. He became a public follower of Jesus. In John 7:50-51, Nicodemus defended Jesus’ right to a fair hearing before the council. He helped Joseph of Arimathea provide an elaborate royal burial for our Savior.  He was baptized by Peter and John. Later, he was expelled from Jerusalem by hostile Jews and was persecuted for the gospel.

2.The woman encountered Jesus at the Jacob’s well:  John 4: 1- 26, NIV  He should not have talked to her. If Jesus had given her a drink, it would be considered unclean.,  said 

1.  This woman had three strikes against her.  

2. She was a Samaritan

3. She was a woman

4. She had been married five times- all of her huvabnds could have died. and was now living with a man who was not her husband

5.  Jesus spoke to her anyway!

6. Jesus offered Living Water to her- she would never be thirsty again

7. As humans we thirst to be loved

8. We have a thirst for knowledge

9. We have a thirst for pleasure, fame, and fortune. 

10. Nicodemus, a pharisee, who came to Jesus at night.

11. The Early Church