April 29, 2024 • 11 mins
Get ready for a fresh start and renewed aspirations as we embrace the coming new year! In the midst of new gym memberships and reading lists, we find ourselves at a crossroads where dreams meet challenges. The new year is a season of hope, a time to rebuild what may have been broken in the year that's passing. How do we chart a path forward without losing the invaluable lessons of our past? How can we fervently pursue God while letting go of the weight of our sins? Join us for another episode of The Heartbeat of Faith Podcast with your host, Dr. Andrew Farley, as we explore these questions and unveil the wisdom found in the Bible.
Sign up for free devotionals on each episode at https://www.HeartbeatOfFaith.com
To make resolutions a reality, we need transformed hearts anchored in God's Word. This year's resolution should mirror the last: to intimately know God through His Word, earnestly pursue Him in prayer, and live out our convictions daily. It's a challenging journey, but The Heartbeat of Faith Podcast and Pray.com are here to provide you with daily encouragement, inspiration, and knowledge to last a lifetime.
Download the Pray.com app today to experience the vivid revelation of God's divine presence through cinematic storytelling, guided by the influence of the Holy Spirit.
For more encouragement in God's grace visit AndrewFarley.org.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Let us pray it is because of Yahweh's loving kindnesses
that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail.
They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, Lamentations,
Chapter three, Verses twenty two and twenty three. Dear Heavenly Father,
(00:24):
we are grateful to be alive in you and to
be given a chance each day to display your love
and your life. As we approach the new year, remind
us that it's not about promising to become a better person. Instead,
it's about trusting you and your promises and your goodness
(00:44):
to us your children. When obstacles arise and challenges come
our way, thank you for being our wisdom to persevere
with courage, and thank you for the gift of perfect
closeness to you, that we are one with you, just
as Jesus is. How amazing it is to start the
(01:05):
new year knowing this new found freedom of grace and
our new identity in You in Jesus' name, Amen, thank
you for praying with me today. Now discover the profound
intricacies of the heartbeat of faith with doctor Andrew Farley.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
This is the season when people renew their gym memberships,
start new reading lists and promise to be a better
person in the new year. It's a time when people
often try to fix themselves, if you will, or make
up for the failures of the year before. But Paul
(01:53):
has a different take on growth and behavior change. He says,
we're perfect, and now we can press on to think
and act that way too.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold,
but one thing I do forgetting the things which are behind,
and stretching forward to the things which are before. I
press on toward the goal for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus let us. Therefore,
as many as are perfect, think this way. If in
(02:28):
anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to
you Philippians three thirteen through fifteen.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
How do we forge a head with new ways to
think and act without forgetting that we're already new and
right with God at the core. How can we make new,
better decisions without shame from our past dragging us down? Hi,
Welcome to another episode of the Heart Beats Faith Podcast.
(03:01):
I'm your host, Doctor Andrew Farley. The new year is approaching.
As we prepare for the new year, no doubt many
have been planning to get on track with physical health
and spiritual wellness. These are lovely ambitions as long as
they're pursued with the right mindset. As believers, we change
(03:23):
our thinking and actions not to become a better person,
but because of the amazing person we already are in Christ.
In the Old Testament, we see the people of Israel
seeking a fresh start after a difficult season. For example,
we see the people of Israel recognizing their failure several
(03:46):
times in the wilderness.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Depart from here with the people to the land that
I promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God said, I will
drive those who dwell there to keep you safe. However,
I will not be going among you, lest I consume
you on the way for your stubborn attitudes and wicked hearts.
Upon hearing this, the people mourned. They could not fathom
(04:14):
their protector departing from them. The one who parted the
seas sent manna from heaven and drove out that Amelekites
would be gone. It was too much for them to bear.
The people removed their jewelry and find ornaments as a
symbol that they cared for their hearts more than their
external selves. And they begged God to stay.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Every January, we may be tempted to look back at
their previous year and evaluate. We see both failures and triumphs.
We might tend to dwell on the losses more than
the victories. So how do we look ahead in anticipation
of all God may do without shame from our past
(05:00):
dragging us down? As believers? We change our thinking and
actions not to become a better person, but because of
the amazing person we already are in Christ. Consider the
words of Paul in Philippians. He says, we're already perfect,
(05:20):
and now we can press on to think and act
that way.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold,
but one thing I do forgetting the things which are behind,
and stretching forward to the things which are before. I
press on toward the goal for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us. Therefore,
as many as are perfect, think this way. If in
(05:49):
anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to
you Philippians three thirteen through fifteen.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Every new year can be a reminder that God can
rebuild what was broken. That's exactly what he did for
us when we were dead in our sins, and He
made us alive in Him forever. In the Old Testament, Ezra,
Nehemiah and the exiles who built Jerusalem felt the weight
(06:19):
of their past, but they pressed forward with optimism and worship.
They didn't make a trite commitment to be better people. No,
they committed themselves to knowing the Lord and looking to him.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Ezra, a scholar of the Word of God and proclaimer
of truth, was appointed to teach the people the law
of God. As the temple was slowly restored, so the
word of God went forth among the people. The temple
restoration was completed, and it stood proud among the people
of Judah and Benjamin. They stood in awe of its
majesty and awaited the connection with God to be restored
(07:02):
as well. Ezra knew this would take time. He knew
that the word of the Lord had to dwell richly
in the hearts of men and women. It would be
a task that would take a lifetime. Slowly, the culture
of Israel and Judah began to reform. Sacrifices were made
in the temple, and God's law was proclaimed.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
In the courts.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
After fifty two days of labor in the hot eastern sun.
The walls stood as a monument of hope for the
entire nation. For the first time since exile, God's people
were able to sigh a breath of relief. They no
longer had to live in constant fear of ambush and violence.
They could live in peace. They could worship in peace.
(07:48):
Nehemiah called for Ezra to come before the people and
read the word of God. There they bowed before the
Lord and confessed their sin. They bassed in his forgiveness
and response to the call to be better.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Remember, Jesus said, whoever hears his words and heeds them,
is like a wise man who builds his house on
the rock.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Jesus began to walk down the hill. When he looked
upon a firm stone on the ground. He picked it
up and smiled. He held the stone up in the
air and said, everyone who hears these words of mine
and does them, is like a wise person who builds
their house on a firm rock. When the rain fell
and the floods came, their house was sturdy. Yet those
(08:35):
who do not listen and do not do these things
are like people who build their homes on sand. When
troubles come, they will be washed away. Jesus dropped the
stone and walked away.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Motivation to quote be a better person doesn't really factor
in the truth that you're already a new creation in Christ.
You're complete in Jesus. It's born of the spirit, and
you have a new heart. This reality is not dependent
on your efforts to be a better person. Instead, it's
(09:12):
a result of your new identity in Christ. As you
grasp the depth of who you are in Him, you'll
naturally experience a transformation in your thinking and in your actions.
You no longer need to strive to earn God's favor
or prove your worthiness. Instead, you can rest in the
(09:35):
truth that you are righteous and one with Christ. This
understanding will motivate and inspire you to live out your
new identity, thinking and acting in alignment with who you
already are in Christ. So embrace the truth of your
(09:56):
newness in Him and allow it to shape your thought
and actions, knowing that you're already complete and accepted in
Jesus Christ. So for you, maybe this year's resolution can
be a revolution as you no longer try to be
(10:16):
a better person. Instead, you can be determined to know
your death with Christ. You're burial with Him and your
resurrection to new life in Him. This is something that's
already happened to you. God did it. Now you can
wake up every day and simply count on it, count
(10:38):
yourself dead to sin and alive to God. Then when
it comes to your thinking and your actions, you'll see
real transformation that lasts a lifetime. Thank you for listening
to today's episode of the Heartbeat of Faith podcast. Follow
the podcast so you can learn the Bible in this
(11:01):
entertaining and inspiring way. Download the pray dot com app,
and for more encouragement in God's grace, visit Andrew Farley
dot org. That's Andrew Farley dot org.
Let us pray it is because of Yahweh's loving kindnesses
that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail.
They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, Lamentations,
Chapter three, Verses twenty two and twenty three. Dear Heavenly Father,
(00:24):
we are grateful to be alive in you and to
be given a chance each day to display your love
and your life. As we approach the new year, remind
us that it's not about promising to become a better person. Instead,
it's about trusting you and your promises and your goodness
(00:44):
to us your children. When obstacles arise and challenges come
our way, thank you for being our wisdom to persevere
with courage, and thank you for the gift of perfect
closeness to you, that we are one with you, just
as Jesus is. How amazing it is to start the
(01:05):
new year knowing this new found freedom of grace and
our new identity in You in Jesus' name, Amen, thank
you for praying with me today. Now discover the profound
intricacies of the heartbeat of faith with doctor Andrew Farley.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
This is the season when people renew their gym memberships,
start new reading lists and promise to be a better
person in the new year. It's a time when people
often try to fix themselves, if you will, or make
up for the failures of the year before. But Paul
(01:53):
has a different take on growth and behavior change. He says,
we're perfect, and now we can press on to think
and act that way too.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold,
but one thing I do forgetting the things which are behind,
and stretching forward to the things which are before. I
press on toward the goal for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus let us. Therefore,
as many as are perfect, think this way. If in
(02:28):
anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to
you Philippians three thirteen through fifteen.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
How do we forge a head with new ways to
think and act without forgetting that we're already new and
right with God at the core. How can we make new,
better decisions without shame from our past dragging us down? Hi,
Welcome to another episode of the Heart Beats Faith Podcast.
(03:01):
I'm your host, Doctor Andrew Farley. The new year is approaching.
As we prepare for the new year, no doubt many
have been planning to get on track with physical health
and spiritual wellness. These are lovely ambitions as long as
they're pursued with the right mindset. As believers, we change
(03:23):
our thinking and actions not to become a better person,
but because of the amazing person we already are in Christ.
In the Old Testament, we see the people of Israel
seeking a fresh start after a difficult season. For example,
we see the people of Israel recognizing their failure several
(03:46):
times in the wilderness.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Depart from here with the people to the land that
I promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God said, I will
drive those who dwell there to keep you safe. However,
I will not be going among you, lest I consume
you on the way for your stubborn attitudes and wicked hearts.
Upon hearing this, the people mourned. They could not fathom
(04:14):
their protector departing from them. The one who parted the
seas sent manna from heaven and drove out that Amelekites
would be gone. It was too much for them to bear.
The people removed their jewelry and find ornaments as a
symbol that they cared for their hearts more than their
external selves. And they begged God to stay.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Every January, we may be tempted to look back at
their previous year and evaluate. We see both failures and triumphs.
We might tend to dwell on the losses more than
the victories. So how do we look ahead in anticipation
of all God may do without shame from our past
(05:00):
dragging us down? As believers? We change our thinking and
actions not to become a better person, but because of
the amazing person we already are in Christ. Consider the
words of Paul in Philippians. He says, we're already perfect,
(05:20):
and now we can press on to think and act
that way.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold,
but one thing I do forgetting the things which are behind,
and stretching forward to the things which are before. I
press on toward the goal for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us. Therefore,
as many as are perfect, think this way. If in
(05:49):
anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to
you Philippians three thirteen through fifteen.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Every new year can be a reminder that God can
rebuild what was broken. That's exactly what he did for
us when we were dead in our sins, and He
made us alive in Him forever. In the Old Testament, Ezra,
Nehemiah and the exiles who built Jerusalem felt the weight
(06:19):
of their past, but they pressed forward with optimism and worship.
They didn't make a trite commitment to be better people. No,
they committed themselves to knowing the Lord and looking to him.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Ezra, a scholar of the Word of God and proclaimer
of truth, was appointed to teach the people the law
of God. As the temple was slowly restored, so the
word of God went forth among the people. The temple
restoration was completed, and it stood proud among the people
of Judah and Benjamin. They stood in awe of its
majesty and awaited the connection with God to be restored
(07:02):
as well. Ezra knew this would take time. He knew
that the word of the Lord had to dwell richly
in the hearts of men and women. It would be
a task that would take a lifetime. Slowly, the culture
of Israel and Judah began to reform. Sacrifices were made
in the temple, and God's law was proclaimed.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
In the courts.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
After fifty two days of labor in the hot eastern sun.
The walls stood as a monument of hope for the
entire nation. For the first time since exile, God's people
were able to sigh a breath of relief. They no
longer had to live in constant fear of ambush and violence.
They could live in peace. They could worship in peace.
(07:48):
Nehemiah called for Ezra to come before the people and
read the word of God. There they bowed before the
Lord and confessed their sin. They bassed in his forgiveness
and response to the call to be better.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Remember, Jesus said, whoever hears his words and heeds them,
is like a wise man who builds his house on
the rock.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Jesus began to walk down the hill. When he looked
upon a firm stone on the ground. He picked it
up and smiled. He held the stone up in the
air and said, everyone who hears these words of mine
and does them, is like a wise person who builds
their house on a firm rock. When the rain fell
and the floods came, their house was sturdy. Yet those
(08:35):
who do not listen and do not do these things
are like people who build their homes on sand. When
troubles come, they will be washed away. Jesus dropped the
stone and walked away.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Motivation to quote be a better person doesn't really factor
in the truth that you're already a new creation in Christ.
You're complete in Jesus. It's born of the spirit, and
you have a new heart. This reality is not dependent
on your efforts to be a better person. Instead, it's
(09:12):
a result of your new identity in Christ. As you
grasp the depth of who you are in Him, you'll
naturally experience a transformation in your thinking and in your actions.
You no longer need to strive to earn God's favor
or prove your worthiness. Instead, you can rest in the
(09:35):
truth that you are righteous and one with Christ. This
understanding will motivate and inspire you to live out your
new identity, thinking and acting in alignment with who you
already are in Christ. So embrace the truth of your
(09:56):
newness in Him and allow it to shape your thought
and actions, knowing that you're already complete and accepted in
Jesus Christ. So for you, maybe this year's resolution can
be a revolution as you no longer try to be
(10:16):
a better person. Instead, you can be determined to know
your death with Christ. You're burial with Him and your
resurrection to new life in Him. This is something that's
already happened to you. God did it. Now you can
wake up every day and simply count on it, count
(10:38):
yourself dead to sin and alive to God. Then when
it comes to your thinking and your actions, you'll see
real transformation that lasts a lifetime. Thank you for listening
to today's episode of the Heartbeat of Faith podcast. Follow
the podcast so you can learn the Bible in this
(11:01):
entertaining and inspiring way. Download the pray dot com app,
and for more encouragement in God's grace, visit Andrew Farley
dot org. That's Andrew Farley dot org.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.