Author: wandsonsantana

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” – Lam. 3:21-25

Every single day holds an opportunity for a fresh start. Don’t let the guilt of yesterday’s mistakes hold you down. Every morning when you wake up, God is ready with fresh grace, forgiveness, and love. Let’s look at 3 ways God gives a fresh start to your day:

I. FRESH OUTLOOK

One of the best ways that you can start off fresh is to spend time with God in the morning. Don’t hit the snooze button or resort to social media – choose instead to rest in God’s presence. Just spending a couple of minutes in prayer and reading a chapter from the Bible is huge. You’ll be amazed at how different your day will be when you start it seeking God!

II. FRESH PROVISION

God will be faithful to give you everything you need for the day ahead of you. Don’t rely on yesterday’s provision, because God wants to give you fresh grace, fresh joy, and fresh peace. Many people live from past victories or past experiences with God. The truth is, there is fresh life available to you every day.

III. FRESH MISSION

You don’t have to wander around your day without purpose. Every day you wake up God has given you an opportunity to change your world. When you go to work and have that meeting, God has a purpose for you. He’s called to bless your family, coworkers, and church. Every morning he refreshes your purpose and gives you a new outlook.

God has a big vision for your life, and He wants to use every day as a step to get there. Choose to have a fresh start, everyday.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Heb 11:6

It’s easy to over complicate what faith is. Faith is simply believing in God and showing it through your everyday life. You can truly activate your faith when you step out into the unknown. Whether that is by starting that new business, going for an idea, or taking that new job. This is the year for it! Here are 3 truths you need to understand that will build your faith: 

GOD IS FOR YOU

God wants you to get that promotion, and to drive that nice car. God is not against you. He is on your side and wants to see you achieve that dream in your heart. He will provide everything that you need. He is a good father.

GOD HAS NEVER FAILED YOU

Has God EVER failed you?  He didn’t fail you then, and He’s not going to fail you now. You have to envision yourself on the other side of this thing — and believe that He is going to take you through it. Don’t let fear or worry creep in. God will not fail you.

GOD WANTS TO BE WITH YOU

God is asking you “What do you want to do? Where do you want to go?” Often times we look to God for answers in life. What should we do? Where should we go? The truth is, He is into the things that you are into. Do you want to write a song, or write a book? God is into it! It’s what is in a person’s heart that God is with. He placed it there! Develop a vision for yourself, dream big, think, make decisions, step out- God wants to be with you.

Your faith pleases God. In Hebrews 11, Paul tells us that God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” He will always back you up when you take a step of faith. It’s by this knowledge and understanding that your faith will begin to shift into a new level this year.  

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”– Isaiah 43:18-20

We believe that God has something incredible for you in 2019! It doesn’t matter what you went through or even what you did this past year, the new is coming. God can use the mistakes you’ve made to bring you towards what He has for you.

Your mind was actually engineered by God to be drawn to all things new. No matter what you may have heard, your Heavenly Father is not a God of strict old traditions. He has a fresh start for you this year! Let’s take a look at four ways that God will give you a fresh start in 2019:

I. Fresh Vision

God will never set you on a new journey without giving you a fresh vision. We don’t just need a fresh start, we need a fresh vision for that start. Our part is to move into the new territory of the God-sized vision He gives us. Let go of the past and grab ahold of the new vision. You can’t hold onto the old and embrace the new at the same time.

II. Fresh Perspective

We were never designed to do life on our own and sometimes we have to push past our pride to allow others around us to keep us accountable. Humility allows the right people in and gives us the wisdom to let the wrong relationships go. Pride stops progression. Humility opens doors.

III. Fresh Direction

You can trust God to guide you every step of the way. He will never leave you on your own or tell you to do it all by yourself. God will protect your vision. On your end, you have to be careful not to accept everyone’s voice into your life. Trust your gut. Not everyone is going to give you the right advice and some may even try to manipulate you. However, God is faithful will direct you through His word, prayer, and the right people.

IV. Fresh Forgiveness

Lastly, never forget that with a fresh start comes God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness. God forgives us and we forgive others. The only way to receive this is through Jesus Christ. The enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy but Christ came to bring abundant life. His mercies are new every day!

Fasting creates an opportunity to be consumed in the things of Jesus rather than the things of this world. Instead of giving time to our daily distractions – food, social media, or TV – we immerse ourselves in worship, prayer, and Bible study. Below are a few types of fasts to help you decide which is right for you.

The Daniel Fast

The contemporary Daniel Fast mirrors what’s mentioned in Scripture (Daniel 10:2-3). In the Daniel Fast, we put aside our desire for food and drink and turn our attention towards Christ. The Daniel Fast recommends only eating:

• Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and legumes
• Whole grains, nuts, and seeds

For more detailed instructions, check out:
http://www.daniel-fast.com/myrecipes/
https://ultimatedanielfast.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-daniel-fast/

Partial or Selective Fast

A Partial Fast involves a period of fasting or not eating food for specific times in the day. For example, you can skip breakfast each day or decide to not eat solid food from sunrise to sunset (6am – 4pm).  A Selective Fast involves removing elements of your diet like sugar, caffeine, fast-food, sweets and meats from your diet.

Soul Fast

This fast can be a great alternative to fasting food if you’re not able to do so due to your health or dietary needs. The Soul Fast is a good way to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. Whatever fast you choose, do it as a sign of surrender to God for this next year of your life. As you stay disciplined and focused on Jesus throughout these next 21 days, we know He will move mightily in your life.

Join us  [starting January 9th – 30th] to pray and worship together during these 21 days of fasting. During the second week of the fast [January 17th-21st] we’ll be meeting for 6am prayer.

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all
who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right
to become children of God…” – John 1:11-12

The entire Christmas story revolves around two powerful elements: giving and receiving. In arguably the most famous Bible verse of all time, John 3:16, Jesus is telling a man named Nicodemus that God so loved the world that He gave His Son that we would receive eternal life. This was the most generous act in the universe and perfectly describes God’s attitude towards us. Jesus was literally born to give His life so that we may receive His forgiveness for our sins.

Know this: God is not mad at you. He’s not standing in the corner, judging you for what you have done. It is God who initiated the plan for your salvation before you were even born. You were bought with a high price, and there’s nothing you have to do to measure up: It’s all God.

It’s because of God’s generosity towards us that he also calls us to live a life of generosity. He doesn’t bless us so that we can keep it to ourselves; He blesses us so that we can pour into others. You are blessed so that you can be a blessing for others! We truly believe that God is calling us to a new level of generosity. Here are four declarations we encourage you to declare over yourself as you go into this next year:

I

I choose to receive Christ’s spirit of generosity.

II

I choose to be trustworthy with Gods Blessing.

III

I choose to act in a new level of generosity this year.

IV

I choose for generosity to be my lifestyle.

You can put this generosity into action now! We invite to take part in our I Love My City event this Saturday at PCTA by purchasing unwrapped gifts for boys and girls, ages 0-12. We are believing for 1,000 gifts, and together we can make that happen! God blesses us to be a blessing to others.

https://atnewlife.org/ilovemycity/

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

The patterns we allow create a reality that we hate. When we eat bad, don’t get enough sleep and continually surround ourselves with people who make poor decisions, we create an atmosphere of negativity. But there is good news! If you are currently caught in a cycle of sin, mistakes or failure, there IS a way out. Your patterns either produce towards your purpose or your pain. Choose today to not conform to bad patterns but to change them. Here are six practical steps you can implement into your life that will lead to transformation:

I. Go To God

There is nothing wrong with modern medicine or counseling, but only the Creator can fix his creation. The most important thing you can do isn’t going to your best friend or family member, it’s getting into God’s presence and seeking His guidance first.

II. Make a Decision/ Share It

You need to come to a point where you are so sick and tired of the pattern you are in that you put your foot down and commit to change. Write it down and share it with someone who can keep you accountable and guide you towards true change.

III. Make An Action Plan

What steps will you begin to take to break the cycle you are in? What do you need to do? Who do you need to meet with? Come up with a practical plan to bring about change.

IV. Make It Measurable

Track your progress. Celebrate the wins that you have. Even when you mess up, your failures are not final or fatal, you are in the process of transformation.

V. Make A Massive Move

You need to symbolically remove the negative pattern in your life. If your problem is addiction, you need to install protection software on your computer, flush those pills down the toilet or choose a route home that doesn’t take you past the liquor store. You need to be so sick of your sin that you will do anything to be free from it.

VI. Keep At It

You are doing better than you think you are. Even the smallest amount of progress is something to rejoice over. Remember, it’s a process. New habits can sometimes take a long time to form. If God walked with the Israelites for 40 years, he will certainly walk with you while you are in your process.

Change is coming. It’s not too late- you have a God that loves you and is for you. He doesn’t want you just barely make it, he wants you to overcome!

 

     Hey everyone, I wanted to send out a quick update on the Thanksgiving Food Drive we held this year at Spaziano Middle school and P.C.T.A. It was a tremendous success and a true blessing to the community, and I want to thank you all for making it happen! We partnered with the city of Providence to provide 2,000 bags filled with Thanksgiving meals to the community. We served over 1200 families, gave away over 200 turkeys, and had 400 volunteers show up to make it happen! I believe by doing this we are fulfilling the command of Jesus to love our neighbor, and it makes me so proud to count myself as a part of this movement. I’m thankful to be a part of a church where generosity is our lifestyle! (And we aren’t done yet- let’s get ready to provide gifts for children in need this Christmas season.)

Thank you for being a part! – Jordan Boyce

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

In this day, it is very easy to be consumed with guilt, worry, and anxiety. Many people live ridden with fear of the future – but take heart! Every single morning when you wake up, God’s mercies are new. It doesn’t matter what you struggled with the previous day; there is nothing that you could have done to separate you from his compassion and love being poured out onto you every time you get out of bed! Every morning God has given you a measure of mercy to make today happen.

Jesus, in his talk on worry in Matthew 6, highlights a very important point- “Do not worry about tomorrow”. This may seem difficult at first, but remember that God holds your future in its entirety, and he only designed us to take one day at a time. That’s the key. Live one day at a time and you can overcome even in your darkest hour. You can handle today, every single day.

Jesus tells us that we will experience trouble in this world, but he also promises peace and provision to you. You can handle everything that comes your way today. Don’t worry about the future,  what ‘could be’, or what ‘could happen’. Don’t create a false future in your mind and allow it to add anxiety to your present. Be present today and trust tomorrow to God. As a matter of fact, God invites us to think that the very best that can happen will happen, because a future with God is a future of all things working together for good.

Whatever is on your mind, whatever you are facing, God is for you. Live in his peace today!

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you”– 1 Peter 5:7. 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”– Matthew 6:25-27

Everyday, anxiety and stress try to demand control of our minds. Sometimes, even getting out of bed is a chore because depression and worry is at the forefront. If you are struggling with worry, know this: The God of the universe, is telling you “Do not be anxious, because I will provide your needs.”

God cares for you more than you can ever imagine, and if he takes care of the birds, he will take care of you. No situation that you are anxious about is greater than God’s caring hand over your life. What is Jesus saying in this section on anxiety? Let’s take a look:

“Do not be Anxious”

This seems like a very tall order, and if it was coming from anyone else, it would hold no weight. However, when Jesus is telling us not to be anxious, it’s for a reason: He knows the outcome. Tell God about your situation, because his peace is promised to you.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

“The Futility of Worry”

Jesus tells us that worry does not add a single hour to our lives. It is completely futile- meaning that the worries of the world get nothing done. We can go to bed worried, but when we wake up, nothing will have changed. The good news is, God’s peace completely changes us from the inside out. It surpasses understanding and it’s available to us. 

“We Are Still Growing”

Jesus continues by drawing a comparison to Solomon and the lilies of the field. Even Solomon, the richest man of all time, paled in comparison to these growing flowers. And we are still growing, too! If you are not yet where you want to be, don’t worry! Be encouraged: You are doing better than you think you are! Life is a process, and you are growing day by day.

Remember, there may be chaos around you right now, but Jesus is within you. His peace that surpasses understanding is your portion today!