Isaiah 65:17-19

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. NKJV

Today is a new day of the month and of the New Year 2012; I truthfully thank God for bringing us this far. Before saying anything else let me appreciate with all my heart the Journey 2 Joy Ministries under the able leadership of Minister Joy Alaman who has been a pillar that held together this ministry of ‘speaking the Word’ to all nations; my family and all dear readers who have followed these messages from inception. It has been a great privilege for me to have you read what God has been giving me to present to you all; all sorts of limitations, language barriers and cultural diversity not withstanding you have been such a wonderful blessing to me. May God bless you all abundantly!!

Having said that, allow me to say something about this message. As I was preparing to preach the New Year message prepared earlier God, for some reason changed that and gave me this one instead. And now let me get on with the message of the day; God says that He has created a new Heavens and a new earth. Someone might wonder what possibly could be new about this earth; it is the very old one we have been having all along.

Whenever God says something as profound as this He has a specifically targeted audience for it and I believe that you are in this audience because God has privileged you to be. The new earth is in your heart, the relationship you have had with Him and with the people He has surrounded you with and appointed to be in your life cannot remain the same after this creation has taken place; I am saying you cannot live the business as usual lifestyle after this encounter.

God says the former shall not be remembered nor come to mind because in His newness everything that is old, dilapidated is removed to pave way to the newness with Him. People have been moving around with all sorts of hurts that they ever received in their lifetime while they confess to have received forgiveness of sin and subsequent salvation. My brother my sister once you receive the newness from God you can’t move on like that again.

Yes people hurt you when you were young; yes people took advantage of you as you grew up, yes people mistreated you when you joined college, yes people took advantage of you when you were newly employed and yes all manner of abuse has been visited upon you by relatives and friends but God’s own word to you today is this “the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.”

I know that this might seem difficult but do you want to know why this is important? I will tell you anyway, you can never have an opportunity to rejoice when your heart is full of negative energy. Such negative energy sucks you like a tick or a leech depriving you all the joy God intended for you. It not only denies you the opportunity to be happy but also makes you miserably relieve your previous hurts. However if you have forgotten such incidents and moved on you will be able to rise to the occasion of rejoicing in what God has created; mind you this joyful creation is not a temporary feeling but an everlasting condition.

Have you ever wondered what a wonderful God our God is! He says that He has created New Jerusalem as a rejoicing and her people a joy. Are you a joy today? When people look at you do they see the joy that God has created in you or do they see a miserably gloomy person that the devil has made you to be or made you believe you are? This is God’s promise to you today! That you are a joy! Isn’t nice to have a God who is creating new things in your heart today and ensuring that no matter what misery the enemy had intended against you will never succeed?

Challenges are part of life, hardships shape you up, mountains are there to be climbed up and valleys are to be climbed down; either way God is always there looking down at you just like a Father, He is encouraging you like toddlers are when they take the first steps in their lives. First they crawl, they stand, and then they take the first step reaching out to the mother or father; I know you can bear me witness how that first step is more important to the parent then than it is to the toddler because they don’t know how far they have come.

Remember when a child starts to call out the first words, mom or dad, how much joy they give the parent; when this happens it makes all the sacrifice one had made worthwhile. All the sleepless nights and all hustles fade from memory because of the joy; one feels like their chests would burst out joy. In this same way God feels when we take the first step in receiving the new creation in our hearts.

When God sees it and says His sacrificing His only Son for your sake and mine was not in vain. That is why He is urging us on and on and on even when we stumble along the way, even when we take wrong turns, He picks us up, dusts us up and places us on the right direction – towards achieving this new joy and after it all we become a joy in and for ourselves as well as to others.

Brethren here comes another powerful promise “the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying” as I said earlier challenges will be there but one guarantee God has given us is the one quoted above. Among all the promises of God, there is now relevant as this; in terms of relativity and content.

Parents are crying because their children have rebelled, some have refused to go school others have squandered their opportunities at college of whatever it is they intended to do. Children are continuously crying that they are misunderstood by both their teachers and parents, they feel abandoned, discriminated against and they should be left alone to govern their own lives but when that is not possible they weep and lament. With that promise God says there will be no voice of weeping in that new creation and not even a voice of crying.

Is there somebody who needs to receive such a wonderful gift for the New Year? All you need is to forget all you past hurts, failures, grudges and then concentrate on receiving a new heart from God. The resentful heart must be discarded at once; the complaining heart must go; the heart that is full of hatred must go; the heart that is full judgment for self and others must go.

As we enter this new era, when there will be lots of politicking in Kenya and many other countries around the globe, we must always remember that God has created a new thing in our hearts and has also created a new earth for us to dwell in where every person must live in harmony with their neighbour whether they belong to the same tribe; clan, country, colour or creed.

Whatever difference that exist, either perceived or real between you and your immediate neighbour should be discarded in the newness created above. Bearing in mind at all times this admonition from Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans 12:18 –“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” NKJV. With this in mind nobody has an excuse to hate or start a fight with his neighbour at any point. Remember that politicians come and go but your neighbour will be there when you are in trouble.

When you cry out for help or need a shoulder to cry or to lean on, it your neighbour who will be the first to respond to your distress call and not the politician who has made you differ. Politics come once every five years but your neighbour is there with you at all times. My fellow countrymen we need to trend carefully where our neighbours are concerned and I know that it is possible and we are capable of having a peaceful election period. It depends on your attitude towards any divergent views whether political, intellectual or otherwise. The politicians make people fight each other but when they get to parliament they are seen hugging and patting each other on the back, let us learn from our past and move on as a one joyous people and nation that God has created for us.

2 Corinthians 5: 17-19

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. NKJV

This is to reinforce my earlier assertion that one can’t receive Christ and remain the same ever again. Although there are persuasions and tendencies to revert to the old habits and self but once you’ve have made up your mind God will help you can overcome the urge to relapse. This is possible only when you look upon Jesus as a guide for your life. Satan capitalizes on old habits to try and bring you down but God will not allow that to happen; whether it is a drug habit or alcoholism or whatever it is when you are in Christ everything is new.

Whatever you were before coming to Christ is no longer important; what is important is what you have now become, a new creature in the spiritual world. The physical world will see you in the same dimension as it did before, some friends will even want to entice you back to the old vices because they don’t know what has changed in you. Gossiping friends will attempt to give you the juiciest and the latest of the happenings, some wheel dealers would wish to incorporate you in their latest scam, the list is endless, but always remember it is not about them but about you and Christ who is in you.

Interestingly some lucrative, chance of a life time opportunities that were not open while you were in the world start opening up all over a sudden and sometimes you wonder why now? This is the devil trying to woo you back to his bondage from which Jesus has already rescued you from; he is trying to get you back. I remember personally going through such a temptation myself. I had just received Christ as Saviour of my life and an opportunity for promotion came, I did the interview and passed well and was short listed for promotion, however I was told through emissaries of the then head of human resources that I should part with some Kenya shillings fifty thousand to given the chance.

Truly I agonized over this and one day, out nowhere I found myself telling the emissary that I would rather pass the opportunity than to put my salvation to disrepute. I was not in control when this answer came out of me because it surprised me as it did those around me as well; they could not understand how someone could let such any opportunity pass by. I went ahead and told them that God would not give me an opportunity to pay bribes in His name. Otherwise such a chance would have been out the money I paid out and glory would be to the same and God who had saved me.

I do remember telling them that such an offer could not be from God and I believed that He was able to promote me elsewhere not necessarily under such circumstances. People could not understand what I was talking about then but people who far below me in scores paid the money and were promoted to supervise me. I stayed at my post for a year and when restructuring came in the company they were the first to be laid off, see how God works? Such tests do come all the time and even through them we need to live in the newness in Christ. That is the time newness is tested and proved whether it is genuine and effective or not. You must believe that you are new in Christ, and can’t continue in the old habits, the old is gone and beyond all things have become new despite all the challenges and satanic enticements.

Let us all acknowledge that there is no other God like our God; who else can forgive and forget, wipe our slates clean, open a new page and start afresh as though one has never existed beyond that day? Only our God can do a thing like this. He paid the whole price for our ransom from the destructive possession of the enemy, Satan.  Now He wants us to move in this confidence and with freedom from condemnation in our hearts; to rejoice and become a joy to those who saw us before the life changing event. A joy to our parents who might have given up on us; a joy to our teachers, neighbours, colleagues and friends to whom we had become a burden, they will rejoice when they see us changed, renewed and maybe they too will follow suit.

We have the freedom to walk and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord without any fear of contradiction, having knowledge that we are reconciled with Him forever. Nothing can be as gratifying as knowing that all your ways are reconciled with God no matter what the physical signs show. People would expect some kind of proof that you are changed, but I say that they cannot see the change until they come and taste to know how well, how merciful God our God really is.

The book of psalm puts it all more clearly into perspective for us: Psalm 34:7-9 –“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” NKJV. No outsider can share a testimony like this; surely what more can a person ask for from such a wonderful, caring and protecting God?

I wonder what makes people hesitate before accepting this offer from God. Were such offers coming from a shopping mall or supermarket people would be flocking there to try it out. But because it is from God the adversary ensures that he has killed the interest in people even before they try it. Like David let me invite once again “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” All that is needed is that you only have to believe!

Colossians 3:10

and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, NKJV

The new man should not resemble anybody or anything of this earth but only resembles the Creator; how wonderful it is to resemble one’s maker in the heart? A new creation that is not fearful or anxious about tomorrow because the same is in the capable hands of the Maker. The same is also renewed in knowledge that one no longer walks like a fool does so that one is able to avoid making blunders in speech and deeds because that is what the enemy waits for so that he can make accusations before the Father.

When someone is able to walk in full knowledge he/she is able to fulfil what apostle Peter so powerfully wrote for us to live and walk by: 1 Peter 5:7-9 – casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world; NKJV. This is the guiding light for all Christians with which to live and walk by at all times, having full knowledge that the adversary is looking for the earliest opportunity to set you up; to put in trouble with fellow men and with God the Father.

Ephesians 5:14-16

Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. NKJV

The Christian of today must also take heed to what God has said; that He has created the new earth and new heavens with a divine purpose. He calls us to live in the newness of life again for a divine reason. That is why we are cautioned and called to awaken from the sleep of darkness and ignorance and come to this new joy and rejoice in it. One cannot receive this new creation and remain where they were before. They can neither remain at crossroads forever nor remain at status quo.

Arise from all the past and dead issues in your life and receive the light that Christ is offering you now; that light is His word, it will give you for wisdom to help you decide when to talk or do the right thing. You will make fewer mistakes when you operate from a knowledgeable point of view because fools walk and operate on assumptions but that luxury is no longer available to a modern Christian because they belong to the light and not darkness of death.

Many people waste a much of their valuable time saying and thinking that they have all the time in this world to do the right things when and as they ought to done. Others continue to procrastinate making the most critical decision of their lives such as receiving salvation. Because the enemy has dulled their understanding of the time they are living in. Kindly allow me to bring you about a turn and tell you that you don’t have as many ‘tomorrows’ as you might want because as it clearly quoted above: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The more you procrastinate entering and walking in the newness of life the more foolish you are because the evil will bring you only misery and lamentation in your life. You cannot enjoy anything no matter how good it is; you will never know or appreciate anything good when it comes your way, weeping and crying shall never depart from your house. Change the way you conduct the affairs of your life now and save yourself the agony and sorrows off this old earth. Quit your ignorant attitude and come abreast with the new offer of life, of joy and happiness before Him. You will not only rejoice by yourself  but also be a joy to all people who see and interact with you; are you with me still?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, the Creator of all things new and wonderful, thank you for your assurance to all of us today. Thank you Lord for this wonderful message at a time like now; it is timely and sent of you to guide us through the coming times. Help us oh Lord to receive your wisdom and move forth in full knowledge that the times we are living are evil. Help us quit our terrible old habits and adorn us with the new lifestyle you’ve guaranteed us today; help the youth listen to and obey your voice; help that sister and brother who are struggling with all kinds of addiction and habits. May your joy overtake them and let them make you rejoice in them as well. I pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN!

This Devotional was Written by Bishop Joseph Koburu Mukiira of Maximum Victory and Joy Worship Centre Nairobi, Kenya and Brought to you Courtesy of Journey 2 Joy International Ministries Inc. USA

©All rights reserved by Bishop Joseph Mukiira