HOW TO RECEIVE THE NEW BEGINNING

How to receive the new beginning

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Act 9:1-20 KJV 1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 

There are things that necessitates the new beginning; some are:

1. Divine encounter: When God wants to begin a new chapter or new beginning in a man’s life, there will be a divine encounter to break that person free from the old ways of life or living.

Paul who was formerly called Saul was very fervent in his idea of judaism. He took it upon himself that to defend it and he caused havoc with the new church. 

Act 22:4 KJV And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Act 26:11 KJV And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

1Co 15:9 KJV For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Gal 1:13 -14 KJV For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it::14 KJV And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

But one day as we read from the text, he obtained a letter from the high priest to go to Damascus. Just a few meters to Damascus, he was interrupted, a light from heaven fell on him, he and his fellow fell down and that was the beginning of a new life. This is the testimony later.

Act 9:21 KJV But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

Gal 1:23-24 KJV 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.

They will glorify God in your life in Jesus name.

How about Moses: Moses knew that it was the will of God for him to deliver the children of Israel. Stephen said it came to his mind.

Act 7:25 KJV For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

However, whenever there is a plan there is also the time and how, Moses knew the plan but did not wait for the timing, so one day he killed an Egyptian and fled Egypt. That singular act added 30 years extra to the slavery of Israelite because he prematurely tried to fulfill the will of God in the 390th year of their captivity. He fled into the wilderness of Median and became a shepherd. This was a prince in Egypt, the man next to the throne and now rearing animals at the backside of the desert.

But according to Rom 11: 29 the gift and calling of God are without repentance, God still has a plan for him so one day while he was on duty, he saw a bush burning without being consumed so he turned to observe properly. God spoke to him and sent him back to Egypt as a deliverer.

Jacob

Jacob had been a supplanter and lived a deceitful lifestyle. He ran from home when he took his blessing and was there for twenty years. When he was about to come home, he learnt that Esau was coming, he made arrangements and that very night, he had an encounter that changed his life forever.

Gen 32:24-28 KJV 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

May you have an encounter that will change your circumstances in Jesus name.

2. He gives people a second chance: The God of new beginning is also the God of second chance. Samson was ordained a Nazarite and his mission in life is to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistine.

Jdg 13:5 KJV For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

He became very strong with the power and anointing as long as he kept his consecration. One day he revealed his secret to DElilah and his head was shaved. He lost the anointing, captured and tortured in a shrine. A prince became a prisoner.

However, Samson repented and asked God for a second opportunity to be strengthened again. 

Jdg 16:28-30 KJV 28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

The number of people he killed in that encounter were more than he killed in his lifetime. His name is recorded in the list of heroes of faith in Heb chapter 11. God gave him a second chance and he didn’t need to die with the Philistine but by his prayer he chose to do that.

Jonah was another man that had a second chance to start all over again. He ran away from his calling, causing issues on the sea. Until they throw him into the sea.

Jon 1:15 KJV So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.

Jonah repented in the belly of the sea

Jon 2:1-2 KJV 1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, 2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

 and God commanded the fish to vomit him at the place where he was to preach.

Jon 2:10 KJV And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

Maybe you too have missed it, God can give you another benefit.

3. He brings prophecy to pass: The Lord decided to punish the children of Israel because they had gone into idolatry.

Jer 25:11 KJV And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Jer 29:10 KJV For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

The Lord wanted the children of Israel back to their land after many years in captivity. So he spoke through Isiah.

Isa 44:28 KJV That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

About 150-200 years before Cyrus was born, God spoke through Isaiah that the man Cyrus will allow them to go and build the temple.

The seventy years promised was nearing completion and there was no sign of returning into their own land so a man called Daniel began to search why and he saw the answer.

Daniel prayed

Dan 9:2-3 KJV 2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

How did God do it?

2Ch 36:22 KJV Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

How did God stir up the spirit of Cyrus? It was because Daniel prayed. Even though Cyrus was destined to release them, someone had to intercede. It was the prayer of Daniel that caused the revolution. We must pray for our destiny helpers. 

From that time they began to arrange to come back into their own land through Nehemiah and Ezra. THis is how the psalmist described it.

Psa 126:1-3 KJV 1 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

God shall turn again your captivity in Jesus name.

4. He brings about restoration: The story of Job is a peculiar one. At the beginning he had a great testimony.

Job 1:1-3 KJV 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

But the devil came and tempted him and caused everything that he had to be destroyed in one day. He himself was afflicted with terrible boils that he had to scrape his body. But Job held on to his faith. He didn’t know who was behind his problem so he accused God. His friends accused him. These go forth and back until God shows up. This is the testimony.

Job 42:10 KJV And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:12 KJV So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

God restored Job, all he lost were restored. God do restore years, in Joel 2, He said restore the years that locust and cankerworm has eaten. He will restore you, amen.

5. He gives us a new life: when the Lord wants to give a man a new slate to start again. He made them to become born again

2Co 5:17 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Heb 8:12 KJV For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

This is done by forgiving all our sins and remembering them no more Heb 8: 12. Old things have passed away and new life in Christ has started. This is a turning point in the life of anyone. 

Eph 2:1-6 KJV 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

It is Zoe life, God kind of life, a life of victory, dominion, power and grace.

6. He empowered us: The Apostles were told not to do anything until endued with power from high. So on the day of Pentecost which was ten days after Jesus ascended, they were filled with the Holy GHost and brought a change of life and started a new beginning. They were born again, the church was birthed and were filled with the Holy Ghost. Peter that was dodging questions a few days back was emboldened to preach.

Act 2:14 KJV But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

When you receive baptism by speaking in tongues a new life in prayer and relationship with God is started.

WHAT TO DO?

1. Desire a new beginning for yourself in any area of life. One thing that prevents new beginnings is because most of the time we are comfortable where we are. The familiar terrain. Our friends, neighbours, family members. We love the comfort zone, we don’t want a new challenge that comes with a new chapter. Children of Israel were comfortable dwelling around mountain until God told them you have dwell long on this mountain take your journey 

Deu 1:6 KJV The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:

Deut 2:3 Deu 2:1 KJV Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.

We should desire and crave for new things. We can be better than what we are now. God flows through our desire.

Mar 11:24 KJV Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

2.be prepared for the new chapter and new beginning: Make physical preparation.

Isa 54:2-3 KJV 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

He told Zion to make preparation for the abundance of gentiles that will become proselytes. So also we should make preparations for the anticipated new thing that is coming. The apostles were there for ten days waiting.

3. Make faith preparation. Maybe you need to improve your mental capacity by reading books, go for courses on entrepreneurship, change schools, go back to school for a higher degree,, rent a bigger store.

James said show me your faith without work and i will show you mine by mine work

4. Speak about the expected change. Give expression to it. This is how God operates.He speaks His faith ever before things are done.

Isa 42:9 KJV Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isa 44:26 KJV That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

Jer 46:26 KJV And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.

Zec 2:4 KJV And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

Several years before Jerusalem was repopulated and re-inhabited, God began to speak it into existence.

When he wanted to give Abraham a new beginning, he started by speaking and calling him what Abraham will become.

Rom 4:17 KJV (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Gen 17:4-5 KJV 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Between Gen 17 when he changed their names and Gen 21:1 where Isaac was born was about 8 months.

We are created in His likeness so also we can start speaking forth what you want to see not what you are seeing. 

2Co 4:13 KJV We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Mk 11:23 says you shall have what you say. You need a new beging, start declaring it. It may take some time. It took God 8-9 month before what he said abot Abraham came to pass..Start speaking now. Command them to manifest.