Taking Out the Trash!

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Happy New Year, Superkid!

 

This past year went by so fast! I always say that, but this one in particular just seemed to fly by. You may feel the same, but I hope you can look back and say that 2017 was packed with good things from the Lord.

 

Looking back on a year can be like sitting around the Christmas tree AFTER all the gifts have been unwrapped. Sure, there is a lot of paper and trash lying around, but that’s easy to pick up and get rid of. What’s really important are the wonderful things that your loved ones gave you—the things that were a mystery only hours before. Sitting there, you may think, How will I use that thingamajig? or Where will I put my whatsit? That’s part of the Christmas day fun—the planning and excitement for your future with your new gifts.

 

Superkid, I want to use this illustration to remind you of a few BIG truths at the beginning of this brand-new year. This month, we should deal with the garbage or negative things scattered throughout last year. If you don’t deal with the trash, it just messes up the whole picture and makes it difficult to focus on the gifts! So, let’s think about 2017. Did you have some hard or hurtful things happen; disappointments or even unrepented sin in your life? How can we get rid of those things?

 

Let’s deal with sin first. That’s easy! In fact, Jesus has already taken care of it! Romans 8:3, New Living Translation, says, “God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.” All we have to do is to confess our sin and repent.

 

First John 1:7 tells us that the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, cleanses us from ALL sin. Verses 8-9, NLT, say, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” We all need a clean slate, not just every year but EVERY DAY! Pray with me now:

 

Father, I confess my sins to You. If I’ve sinned and didn’t realize it, please show me. I repent of all sin and I thank You for sending Jesus to take the punishment for me. I know You are faithful to forgive me. I am CLEAN, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

 

Now, Superkid, let’s deal with the hurts, hard circumstances and disappointments. The Word says Jesus will NEVER abandon or leave us. So, even if you are still in a hard time, you can trust Him to work things out! Have faith and confidence in His Word. Here are some scriptures that will help:

Jesus says in John 14:18, NLT, “No, I will not abandon you as orphans.”

 

Hebrews 13:5-6, NLT, says: “God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”

 

He’s already won our fight!

“I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.” (1 John 2:14, NLT)

 

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, New King James Version)

 

We can trust Him to work things out for us.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

 

He is on our side.

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?… No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us…. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-35, 37, 39, NLT)

 

Now, knowing that nothing that happened last year can stop you from all you are called to do and destined to be, Superkid, you can enjoy the good gifts that Jesus unwrapped in you throughout 2017. Next month, we’ll dive into the fun stuff!

 

Until then, take some time and open your heart to the Lord. Ask Him to show you things you need to know. I’ll leave you with a thought for next month from Hebrews 13:20-21: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

 

That’s YOU, Superkid! YOU are a gift to Him and from Him!

 

Kellie Copeland