“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
–Philippians 4:4, ESV

 
Sometimes, we say words we didn't intend to say or yell a little too loudly. Sometimes, the conversation doesn’t go where it should have gone. Sometimes, we don’t give 100% in training. Sometimes, we travel down the wrong path or make a choice that leads us further from God instead of closer to Him.
 
Our sinful nature, traced back and rooted in the will of Adam and Eve, hits us right in the face, and we fall hard. Rest assured: God gives us second chances. We all get re-dos and new beginnings.
 
In golf, a new beginning is called a mulligan. Whether it’s a new year or a new day, Christ gives us a chance to make all things new because all things are made new in Christ.
 
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” –Ezekiel 36:26, ESV
 
Our belief in Christ gives us a new heart and a new spirit. From the beginning of our walk with Him, He covers us with His grace and, as a result, bears fruit within us!
 
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” –Galatians 5:22-23, ESV

Read the rest of the article for how we can find a joy that lasts.

-FCA-