Newness of Life In Anticipation.

  What are you looking forward to?  There's just something about the anticipation of getting something new, waiting for a loved one's arrival, or getting a new set of circumstances.
  I remember as a kid, how I loved waiting for a piece of mail, especially if it was a package.  And, of course, at Christmastime, being able to tear into a wrapped surprise to see what was hiding underneath was always surrounded by excitement.
  Waiting to see someone you have been missing can be tough, but the beauty of their arrival after a season of anticipation makes it worthwhile.
  Then there is the waiting, sometimes in such difficulty, for a new bend in the road to appear, taking us to better days, or a situation of life to turn around, helping joy to be restored.
  In walking in the newness of life, we can experience unsurpassed encouragement knowing that God's faithfulness never changes.  That anticipation of waiting for something good and new actually can be known day by day.  In Scripture, it is amazing to see how God is pleased to give us something incredibly good and new each day.
  Lamentations 3:22-23 lets us know:

"Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassionate fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

  So, look for this amazing kindness from His hand.  Rise, and shine, and give God the glory due to His name each morning.

  Also, live with the anticipation of the return of the LORD Jesus Christ.  This is closer than it has ever been and may be closer than we think.
  Jesus said in John 14:1-3, "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
  He makes good on His promises. Always.
  Since His return is sure, examine your heart today.  Have you placed your trust in Jesus as Savior and LORD?   If not, today can be the day of salvation.  If you have trusted Him- His taking your sin on Himself, dying in your place, taking your punishment and then being raised from death, rejoice and remember His promise to return and the promise of heaven.

  Anticipating your real home, heaven, encourages you to live with eternity in mind and understanding this world is not all there is.  It will be an ultimate change of venue and circumstances, but we can already relish the goodness of it.
  "Believers regularly taste the sweetness of the same heaven to which someday we will go to dwell forever.  Praising and loving God with all your being, adoring and obeying Christ, pursuing holiness, fellowship with other saints- those are the elements of heavenly life we can begin to taste in this world." - John MacArthur
  The blessings of anticipation of new mercies each morning, the return of the Prince of Peace, and the hope of heaven can spur us onward and upward and closer to the heart of the Father.

A prayer:
  Heavenly Father, thank you for Your amazing mercies and amazing grace.  Please place in my heart a fervent longing for the return of Your Son and a willingness and boldness to tell others the good news of the Gospel. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.