Embracing New Beginnings: Letting Go and Holding On

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Freedom Through Release

Letting go of past mistakes, regrets, and hurts is essential for stepping into the new season God has for us. This release is not merely a mental decision but a spiritual act of going to the cross, where we find freedom and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. At the cross, we are no longer defined by our past but are seen as new creations in Christ. By releasing the burdens of the past, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, allowing us to move forward with renewed purpose and hope. [18:45]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What past mistake or regret are you holding onto that you need to release at the cross today? How can you invite God's transformative grace into this area of your life?

Day 2: Anchoring in the Truth of Christ

Staying close to Jesus is essential for experiencing God's promises. Jesus is the truth, and by holding on to Him, we find strength and assurance, even when life doesn't go as planned. In a world filled with uncertainty and shifting values, anchoring ourselves in the truth of Christ provides stability and direction. By immersing ourselves in His teachings and presence, we align our lives with His will, allowing His truth to guide our decisions and actions. [21:10]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus this week to ensure His truth is the foundation of your life? What specific steps will you take to immerse yourself in His teachings?

Day 3: Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude

Gratitude is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to Jesus. By acknowledging and thanking God for His blessings, we enter His presence and align ourselves with His will. Gratitude acts as a tow rope, pulling us closer to Jesus and opening the gates to His presence, as described in Psalm 100:4. This practice not only shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have but also strengthens our faith and trust in God's provision and goodness. [23:48]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: What are three specific things you are grateful for today? How can you incorporate a daily practice of gratitude into your routine to draw closer to Jesus?

Day 4: Communion as a Symbol of Renewal

Communion symbolizes the transition from the old to the new, reminding us of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life we have in Him. It is a moment to let go of the past and embrace the future with gratitude. Through communion, we are reminded of the profound love and grace of Christ, which empowers us to live as new creations. This sacred act serves as a powerful reminder of our identity in Christ and the hope we have in His promises. [31:42]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: As you prepare to take communion, what old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new life Christ offers? How can this act of remembrance deepen your gratitude for His sacrifice?

Day 5: Stepping into a Future of Hope

As we enter 2025, we are invited to embrace a new season filled with God's promises. By letting go of the past and holding on to Jesus, we step into a future filled with hope and purpose. This transition is not just a change in the calendar but an opportunity for a fresh start, a new season filled with God's promises and plans for our lives. Embracing this new season requires faith and expectation, trusting that God is working all things together for our good. [33:31]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: What specific hopes and dreams do you have for the coming year? How can you actively trust God with these plans and align your actions with His promises for your life?

Sermon Summary

As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future with hope and faith. The transition from 2024 to 2025 is not just a change in the calendar but an opportunity for a fresh start, a new season filled with God's promises and plans for our lives. The Bible assures us that God has a bright future for us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, and Philippians 1:6. These scriptures remind us that God is working all things together for our good and that He will complete the good work He has begun in us.

However, we often find ourselves caught between the potential of what God can do and the reality of our past experiences. Whether the past year was filled with regrets or triumphs, we have the power to decide how we will end this season and enter the next. Paul, in Philippians 3:12, encourages us to forget what lies behind and press on toward the future. This involves two critical questions: What do we need to let go of, and what do we need to hold on to?

Letting go of past mistakes, regrets, and hurts is essential for stepping into the new season God has for us. This release is not merely a mental decision but a spiritual act of going to the cross, where we find freedom and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. At the cross, we are no longer defined by our past but are seen as new creations in Christ.

Equally important is holding on to the truth, which is Jesus Himself. Staying close to Jesus is the key to experiencing the promises of God. A practical way to maintain this closeness is by cultivating a heart of gratitude. Gratitude acts as a tow rope, pulling us closer to Jesus and opening the gates to His presence, as described in Psalm 100:4.

As we prepare to enter 2025, let's focus on what we need to let go of and what we need to hold on to. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and step into the new season with faith and expectation. Communion serves as a powerful reminder of this transition, symbolizing the letting go of the past and embracing the new life in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Letting Go of the Past: To step into the new season God has for us, we must let go of past mistakes, regrets, and hurts. This release is found at the cross, where Jesus offers us freedom and forgiveness, transforming us into new creations. [18:45]
2. Holding On to the Truth: Staying close to Jesus is essential for experiencing God's promises. Jesus is the truth, and by holding on to Him, we find strength and assurance, even when life doesn't go as planned. [21:10]
3. The Power of Gratitude: Gratitude is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to Jesus. By acknowledging and thanking God for His blessings, we enter His presence and align ourselves with His will. [23:48]
4. Communion as a Transition: Communion symbolizes the transition from the old to the new, reminding us of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life we have in Him. It is a moment to let go of the past and embrace the future with gratitude. [31:42]
5. Embracing a New Season: As we enter 2025, we are invited to embrace a new season filled with God's promises. By letting go of the past and holding on to Jesus, we step into a future filled with hope and purpose. [33:31]
** [33:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - New Year, New Season
[03:30] - God's Promises for the Future
[06:45] - Living Between Potential and Reality
[09:00] - Ending and Entering Seasons
[12:15] - Letting Go of the Past
[15:30] - Finding Freedom at the Cross
[18:45] - Holding On to the Truth
[21:10] - Staying Close to Jesus
[23:48] - The Power of Gratitude
[26:00] - Reflecting on 2024
[28:15] - Preparing for Communion
[31:42] - Communion: Letting Go and Embracing the New
[33:31] - Prayer and Blessing for the New Year

Sermon Clips

What do you need to surrender? What do you need to lay down? Because maybe there's mistakes, maybe there's regrets, maybe there's moments you're not too proud of, maybe there's things you did or maybe things you didn't do that you're holding onto. Shame, regret, hurt, pain, unforgiveness, bitterness. There are things you're holding onto and because you're holding onto them, it is limiting how you step into the next season. Here's what I found. Whatever we hold onto will keep us where we are at. [00:18:45] (33 seconds)

The way we find freedom from the things that we're holding onto, but ultimately are holding onto us is by going to the cross, going to the work of Jesus on the cross. Here's the reality. Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross for your sins. He rose again. He defeated death, hell, and the grave. And when we come to the cross, we receive freedom from our shame. No longer are we seen as sinful. No longer are we seen as our past mistakes. We are seen as the righteousness of Jesus. [00:19:50] (31 seconds)

When we come to the cross, we're able to let some things go. For a lot of people, it's super difficult to let go of things. And you find that year after year, people don't progress into the best that God has for them. They don't step into the will of God for their life because they're not willing to let go. I wanna let you know at the cross, you can find freedom. [00:21:05] (23 seconds)

When you go to the cross, when you experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus, it allows you to forget and let go of some things. So first, what do you need to let go of? Second question I wanna ask you is what do you need to hold on to? What do you need to hold on to? I love at the end of this verse, how he says that we hold onto the truth. Who is the truth? The truth is Jesus. It's a person. [00:21:16] (28 seconds)

When we look at all the promises that I read at the beginning, God's plan, his hope, his future, the great things God has for you, it's not about just everything working out. It's about being close to Jesus because all of the promises that come from God are connected to Jesus. If you wanna experience the promises of scripture, you have to be connected to Jesus. And Paul talks about letting go of things, but he's talking about holding on to the truth. [00:21:44] (26 seconds)

Experiencing the best that God has for your life is living out the will of God for your life. How do we do that? By staying close to Jesus. Staying as close as possible. If you could do one thing in 2025, it'd be this. Stay close. Stay close to Jesus. And I wanna give you one very practical thing that keeps us close to Jesus. And that is developing a heart of gratitude. [00:22:25] (26 seconds)

So when we look at 2024, there might be ups, there might be downs. But I guarantee it, there are a lot of reasons to be thankful and grateful for what Jesus has done in our life. One of the greatest things you can do into stepping into the new season, the great things that God has for you is developing a heart of gratitude. When you look back at this last year, what are some things in your life that you can thank Jesus for? [00:24:20] (28 seconds)

Hey, so let me pray over us before we conclude our time. Jesus, I just thank you for every person who's watching. God, every household who's together right now. God, I just pray that they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt, God, that your plans and your future for them is bright. God, I thank you that this is a new season. God, a new season for their marriage, new season for their family, a new season for their walk with Jesus. [00:33:31] (22 seconds)

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