Newday: Just a holiday or a New Identity?

To all those who attended Newday, I write to encourage you to continue in your identity in Christ Jesus!

As Stef Liston stated; Newday was not merely camping, socialising or a holiday, it was coming before God made possible through, and only through, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). It is through Jesus that we are made new, not just a better version of our old self but a brand new creation (Galations 6:14-15). We have been given a new identity in Jesus! Because of this we are called to live according to God’s good, pleasing and perfect will and to not conform to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2).

The media, friends, family may encourage you to partake in acts which will challenge your identity in Jesus. Do not compare yourselves to what the world believes to be perfection, for the world is far from perfection so how can something which is imperfect judge what is perfect? Instead believe what God says of each of us, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), God who is nothing less than perfection.

Therefore live by the standards of a perfect God, the standards set by Jesus. We are not expected to get everything right (Romans 3:10), if it were possible for us alone to achieve perfection we would have been able to save ourselves through our own acts! God understands that this is impossible for us to do and so sent Jesus so that through him we might receive eternal life (John 3:16)!

So, if Jesus has provided eternal life for all who have an identity in him, why then do we need to live according to his standards?

We live according to his standards so that we are aware of the sin in us (Romans 3:20) and are able to repent and therefore enjoy a remarkable relationship with a holy God! Yes Jesus died for ALL our sins, but to be forgiven we MUST repent and to repent we must be aware of the sins we commit! Furthermore, we are to be a light to those who do not know Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16) and by living according to the ways of Jesus we allow people to witness Jesus in us. I know of so many who have found a new identity in Jesus through simply witnessing another living according to his ways!

If you live according to Jesus, you are living FOR Jesus. What is more worthwhile than living for Jesus? Steve Chong used the example of a bucket list, a list of all you want to do before you die. This list not only reveals what you think is worth dying for but what you think is worth living for. Steve concluded that nothing is worth living for in this world other than what is done for the service of Christ Jesus. Indeed Paul, one of the most influential, early Christian evangelists, said he would speak of nothing except that which Christ has accomplished through him (Romans 15:17-18).

We have been commissioned by Jesus himself to make disciples of ALL nations. Jesus does not just want followers, he wants disciples, people who assist in spreading the gospel and teaching the ways of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20)! If we ourselves do not live according to the ways of Jesus how can we teach others to do so? We cant, it would be hypocritical!

I do not want to scare or overwhelm you, I mean to encourage and motivate you into living how God has intended you too! You are not to fear or feel threatened by tasks you might face for you are NOT alone (Matthew 28:20)! Remember that you can do anything through Jesus (Philippians 4:13) and that with enough faith in Jesus you are able to move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

I am going to finish with a few points that Joel Virgo made; Firstly you don’t have to be good at everything (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). God needs you to be you and will provide you with all you need to fulfil his will.
Secondly, be aware that God gives you a compass in life, not a map! Live your heart out for Jesus and he will direct you (Proverbs 3:5-6). Submit yourselves to his will and do not worry about your future.
Thirdly, know that real change takes time. To change your behaviour, attitude and bad habits will require daily walking with Jesus so be patient and persevere.
Fourthly, understand that we have been sent by God now (John 20:21). Do not spend your life waiting for a great sign or signal from God, Jesus Christ was your signal!
Finally, ALWAYS remember that God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Blues blues go away...

After a week like last week it can often feel like we return to normality with a bit of a bump. The NewDay blues kick in big time...

"Last week I was surrounded by 80 other people I know well, amongst 6000 Christians hearing about and seeing God do some incredibly powerful things. Today I'm stuck in a house on my own 'cos my parents are at work, my prayers seem to bounce off the walls in silence..."

Normal life is always going to take a bit of readjustment to be honest after a week like that.

Here's a few tips to help get over the blues:

1) Look at photos of the week, listen to previous NewDay albums on Spotify, talk to friends about it & write down what you got out of it. In other words, squeeze it dry for all its goodness.

You may need to buy a notebook to contain all your thoughts.

2) Think about what James 1:25 says: 'God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget.' Hearing lots of good talks and being around lots of good people doesn't actually do you any long term good unless you apply it to your own life. Make a list of somethings you can do to ensure that last week's influence keeps on being a blessing to you.

3) Make the most of Sundays. Sunday morning is an amazing time for being refreshed in God and stepping back into all of the great things that happenned at NewDay. It'll be different for sure (you won't be surrounded by 6000 people for one) but Jesus is the same at Kings EBo/Seaford as he is at NewDay. The meetings are shorter and you get chairs to sit on, which is a bonus so in actual fact you should find Sundays easier! Avoid sitting in Vivo whilst the church meeting is on. Growing in God doesn't happen just by being in the same building as him, it requires you to act, to pursue him, to press into him and to encourage those around you to do the same. Catching up with people and chatting together can happen after church, remember we're after long term good in your Christian life.

4) Get thinking about others. Following Jesus is about going where he's going and Jesus is always going to be out among the lost and unsaved. Pray for your non-Christian friends, ask God to speak to you for them and sensitively and wisely look to share God's love with them. Don;t get drawn into fire-fights about who's cleverer than who or who is the most convincing, just love them, pray for them, share the gospel with them and let your good deeds do the reasoning. Get it and get going.

On a personal note. What helps me the most is getting stuck into a good book about what God's done in someone else's life. Read a biography.

Read 'The Heavenly Man', 'I dared to call him Father', 'Chasing the Dragon', 'Run Baby Run' among other books. Ask your parents for help to find them, or speak to me to borrow them.

God saves, God heals, God speaks and God moves regardless of where you are, how you feel or what's going on in your life. Trust him, pursue him - you won't be let down!