Renew Your Identity!

Merry Christmas Tirzah Family!!!

It’s the end of December, and a new year is just around the corner. It feels like the perfect time to talk about the theme"Made New." I hope you’ve already read the blogs, listened to the podcast and heard the sermons from Inheritance Church. Each one shares a message of renewal and hope as we step into a fresh start.

There’s something about the start of a new year that draws people to set resolutions. There is this desire to dream, to grow and to aim for something better. It’s as if this longing for change is woven into us, placed in our hearts by God—a desire to be made new, to be transformed. The good news? Change is possible. It may not always be easy, but it’s within reach. And for us as Christians, we have a unique advantage—the Holy Spirit. He walks with us, guiding and empowering us to take those steps toward real transformation.

Here are 8 steps that you can take to be renewed for your new year:

1. Knowing Your Identity In Christ

It starts with knowing your identity in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

This verse is such a beautiful picture of transformation. First, we need to re-learn who we are in Christ. We are loved by God. We are forgiven. And we are made new by Him.

Think about it—our old self, with all its flaws, brokenness and struggles have passed away. God brings newness into our lives—new morals, new values, and a fresh spiritual awakening. This is who we are in Him: a completely new creation; shaped by His grace and love.

2. God Wants You to Have Life and Have It to the Fullest

God’s desire for you is to live life to the fullest—rich in meaning, purpose, and joy.

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

This is such an incredible promise! Jesus came so that you could experience an abundant life—overflowing with His goodness. But how do we step into this kind of life? It starts with building a real, personal relationship with God. Staying close to Jesus is key. He described it so beautifully when He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” When we remain connected to Him, our lives bear fruit—good things naturally flow out of that relationship. Without Him, though, we can’t accomplish anything that truly matters.

To live this abundant, full life, one of the simplest yet most powerful things we can do is spend consistent time with God. Through prayer and meditation on His Word, we stay rooted in His presence, allowing Him to shape and guide us. It’s in this connection with Him that we find fullness of life.

3. Repentance Brings Freedom

1 John 1:9

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

For a long time, I used to see the word “repent” as something meant to shame me. It felt like a spotlight on everything I had done wrong. But over time, I realized how blessed it is to recognize the need for repentance—and to actually do it. Why? Because repentance is the moment God steps in to help us break free from sinful habits that weigh us down. It’s through true repentance and the power of Jesus’ blood that our relationship with God is restored. And who benefits the most from repentance? We do.

Think about it:

• We break free from guilt and condemnation.

• We leave behind bad habits or sin that held us captive.

• We might even see our relationships with others improve.

Ultimately, we experience real freedom and step into the fullness of life that God wants for us. Repentance isn’t about shame—it’s about freedom. It’s a gift that opens the door to a renewed relationship with God and a better life.

4. Faith Comes By Hearing the Word of God

Romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.

As we go through the process of renewal, it’s so important to keep reminding ourselves of God’s truth. One powerful way to do this is by regularly listening to faith-building messages.

You might notice that when you hear these messages, there are themes or lessons that feel familiar. Don’t let familiarity stop you from listening or learning. Repetition is essential—it’s how we truly master something and let it sink deep into our hearts.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 13:9, “He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.” Staying open, listening, and being reminded again and again is key to building and strengthening our faith. So, keep leaning in. Let the Word of God fill you, shape you, and renew you daily.

5. Faith Without Action is Dead

James 2:26

For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.

We’ve talked a lot about the importance of hearing and listening. But now, let’s focus on something equally important—action. The process of renewal isn’t just about understanding or hearing; it’s about responding and moving forward. God calls us to take action—whether that’s stepping into His purpose for us, obeying His guidance or trusting Him to lead us.

Here’s the truth: when we move, God moves. Our willingness to take that first step, to respond in faith, is when we begin to see God’s work unfold in our lives.

6. Trust the Process

The journey of renewal often doesn’t look the way we expect it to. Things can get messy, and sometimes, life takes us in directions we didn’t plan. Take Joseph, for example. God gave him a dream that one day, his family would bow before him, that he was destined for something great. But instead of stepping into greatness right away, his brothers, filled with jealousy, sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt, serving in Potiphar’s house, only to be falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. How could Joseph ever fulfill the dream of greatness in this situation?

But the Bible tells us again and again, “God was with Joseph.” Even in the toughest moments, God’s presence was there, and everything Joseph did prospered. Eventually, Joseph had the chance to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, which became the turning point in his life. What I want to highlight here is this: when God gave Joseph that dream, He knew exactly what Joseph needed to go through to be prepared for it. God allowed Joseph to experience hardship so he could be trained in resilience, learn how to navigate relationships, and say no to temptation when things got tough. In the end, not only did Joseph succeed, but he used his wisdom to save a nation—and even his own family.

So, when you face challenges in your own renewal process, remember Joseph’s story. Hard things may happen, but trust that God is in control. And as you move through the process, pray for His grace to guide you every step of the way.

7. Avoid Oversharing

During the process of renewal, there are often moments of excitement when we experience new things, or even go through ups and downs. It’s easy to feel like we want to share everything we’re feeling or learning. But it’s important to be careful about who we share with and how much we share.

Take Joseph, for example. When God gave him those amazing dreams about his future, he was so excited that he shared them with his family. But his brothers, filled with jealousy, didn’t respond well—they even wanted to kill him.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

This verse teaches us that our words hold power. We need to be intentional with what we say, ensuring our words are wise and thoughtful. Rather than hurting ourselves or others, let’s use our words to bring encouragement, honor God, and bring benefits to those around us. So, while it’s natural to feel excited about what God is doing in your life, be mindful of where and with whom you share those moments.

8. Iron Sharpens Iron

In Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].

This verse speaks to the power of friendships and the people we choose to spend our time with. The people around us have a huge influence on our lives. So, ask yourself: Do the people you spend most of your time with encourage you? Do they uplift you, challenge you, and help you grow? Take a good look at the people you’re close to. What are their characteristics? Are they the kind of people you want to become? If the answer is no, it might be time to reassess those relationships. You might need to spend less time with them or even set some healthy boundaries to protect your own growth.

Remember, the people you surround yourself with will either sharpen you or dull you. Choose wisely, because the right people can help you become the best version of yourself.

This Week's Action Steps:

As we step into the final days of 2024 let’s be intentional about inviting God into our goals for 2025.

Here’s how you can make this year different:

1. Write down your goals, and then make it a habit to write them down every day for the next 30 days. Take time to pray over each one, asking God to guide you in your journey. Sometimes, God may gently nudge you to adjust your goals, helping you align them more with His will.

2. Reflect on the 8 points above. Which ones resonate with you the most? Choose one or two that you feel led to focus on as you work towards your goals.

3. Create a Godly vision board. Collect pictures, scriptures, or anything that represents the person that you feel God wants you to be. Place it somewhere visible, so you can see it every day and stay reminded of your purpose and direction.

4. Finally, consider starting a 21-day fast. Use this time to pray specifically over your goals and the new practices you want to build into your life. Ask God to help you stay focused and dedicated to the changes He’s calling you to make.

By including God in the process, you invite His wisdom and strength into your goals, making 2025 truly transformative.

Let’s Pray Together:

Dear God,

Thank you for this month’s Bible study, “Made New.” We are so grateful that You make renewal possible for each of us and it’s never out of reach. We ask that You help us be intentional about renewing our minds, our faith, our actions, our words and our hearts by spending time with You every day.

Thank you, Lord, that the old has passed away and the new has come. We are so thankful that we don’t have to carry our old burdens anymore.

Help us, God, not to be shaped by the world around us, but to be transformed and continuously changed by the renewing of our minds. As we do this, may we begin to understand more of Your will for our lives—the good, acceptable, and perfect plans You have for us, just as Romans 12:2 reminds us.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we thank You and pray, amen.