TRIVIA FOR FUN
What is the name of the Jewish New Year?
A ) Rosh Hashanah B ) Yom Kippur C ) Shavuot D ) Hanukkah
Answer: A) Rosh Hashanah.
Unlike the traditional European holiday most Americans observe, the Jewish New Year usually falls during autumn. Rosh Hashanah, which literally means “day of shouting” is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days, as outlined in Leviticus 23:23-32. While Americans sing Auld Lang Syne on January 1, Jesus would have actually celebrated the start of a new year in September or October.
BIBLICAL Biography
Peter
The blood of Jesus cleanses our sins and refreshes our spirits, and since His birth, the Son of God has given mankind the gift of unadulterated deliverance. He also offers each of us limitless fresh starts. The New Testament serves as a tribute to Christ’s redemptive power, and the story of Peter is perhaps the greatest example of spiritual renewal.
A lowly fisherman, Peter was a hardened, skeptical man. But Jesus saw something special beneath his rough façade. Peter was transformed during his walk with Christ, and he ultimately became the rock upon which God built His Church.
If Peter, who denied Jesus three times and lost faith after the Crucifixion, could transform into one of the pillars of Christianity, just imagine the wonderful ways God could use your life to further His kingdom. Just as he changed Peter, Jesus is capable of taking even the most basic sinners and molding them into vessels for His glory. In the New Year, it’s worth letting Jesus change our perspectives, because by submitting to His will, we are better able to serve the Kingdom of God.
What Does it Mean?
Renewal
The process of being made spiritually new in the Holy Spirit
We’ve all heard the phrase “New Year, new you,” but, honestly, the Lord is capable of renewing us any time. When we submit to His calling, He refurbishes us from the inside out, and we transform into living, breathing expressions of His love. The New Year is a great time to make positive changes in our lives, and God is ready to shape us into something unexpectedly splendid.
Resolution
A firm decision to do or not to do somthing
A resolution is a personal promise nearly everyone makes but few people keep at the start of a new year. Normally, we design resolutions to alter our appearance or improve our finances, but the best kind of change starts on the inside. When we resolve to strengthen our individual walk with God, we are much better equipped to tackle life’s other challenges. So, essentially, deciding to strengthen your walk with God is a great way to kick off 2018!
Rejoice
To feel or show great joy or delight
Three. Two. One. Happy New Year! It’s easy to get excited about the start of something new. But, when life gets stale and things stop going your way, it becomes more difficult to find happiness in your daily routine. Luckily, there’s good news. When we celebrate during the hard times, it actually becomes easier to rejoice through the bad.
Baton Rouge Christian Life MAGAZINE
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