OUR GOD OF NEW THINGS

I attended a debut last Friday night and I was amazed to see the traditional 18 Candles and Roses ceremonies differently but creatively performed.  Instead of giving simple birthday wishes while lighting their candles, the eighteen girlfriends romped on stage with their beautiful gowns.  And to my surprise, the eighteen guys did not waltz with the lady when each gave his rose.  Each danced difficult modern steps for the debutante to follow!  And you could see the fun on all faces as cameras clicked from the audience' seats.  And it was good!


Then I began recalling some cute scenarios, comparing the old with the  new ways of doing things:

• THEN, in college, we would copy the lengthy lecture of our professor as he would write them down on two big blackboards.  Then we would start covering our eyes and nose to screen the  chalk mess when  a student erases the board for a second round of handwritten lecture.  Then...k r i i n n g g!! End of class session!  NOW, as a lecturer myself, my lesson would be flashed on white board from a computer installed in the room.  The students would  have their laptops on their desks to take down additional notes during  discussions.  Oh yes, same lessons but with new methodology.  That's time-saving!
• THEN, love letters sent thru the mails would reach their destination at a time when both the man and the woman would have found new "apples of their eyes"!  NOW, your thoughts and feelings could be delivered right at the moment you want to release them.  And then again delivered at the moment when they're gone! Same feelings yet easier way now to let go and get back!  That's magic!
• THEN, the Wedded Hearts couple ministry used to conduct a marriage renewal seminar for 2 1/2 days.  NOW, a seminar is completed within a day and a half for a regular MR and just a day for a special.  And that's counting only 15 years from it's birth in 1996.  That's cost-cutting!

and many many more.  Technology has made it so easy for man to do research and  accomplish things. Solutions are on the tip of his fingers.  Economy on the other hand, pushed man to gain more with lesser resources.   So, old systems and programs are regularly evaluated, re-designed and enhanced for better and more effective results.  Yet despite the new things that are available to deliver whatever you wish to deliver, the old could still block and pull down the score.  And same holds true in our spiritual journey.  Spiritual Maturity seems to be far from being reached with the old self hanging around to  drag and keep itself away from what God has really meant it to be.  Old sins renewed, failures magnified, forgiveness denied, joys delayed, dreams lost, hope gone, love refused and many more on and off  irritants that destroy, continue to haunt and linger.  Oftentimes, they reign and win!

Our God is a "God of New Things".  He fills our lives with big and small surprises.  He gives new hope.  He dreams new dreams;  all rooted from the passion of His great love for each one of us.  It's the same love that made Him create the world.  The same love that made Him send His Son to live with us to understand us better.  The same love that saves and redeems us.  The same love that holds eternity safe for us; that we may all be with Him.  The same love that creates and re-creates us; to be transformed and become new each day!  Yes, our God is a God of new and better things.  And He makes all things beautiful!  

     From nowhere, He packed the heavens

     From nothing, He built a world

     And from the dust, He formed His masterpiece

     To fill the earth with lasting peace.

     His creation, tempted and fallen

     Paradise lost, so quickly stolen

     But in His mercy, sent forth a Savior

     New dreams, new hopes, salvation for the lost.

     Our God is a God of mercy and love

     Our destiny He holds so dear

     As we journey thru, He’ll surely bring

     Bigger and better and greater things!  

     Let’s join our hands and sing praises together

     As we enjoy His presence forever

     Lift up our hearts and minds and souls to Him

     The Giver of blessings, our God of new things!


I am not finished yet with the melody.  Let me share this beautiful song  from Steve Curtis Chapman, "God Makes All Things New".