SCRIPTURE
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ… 2 Corinthians 5:15-18a NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Phineas Taylor Barnum, known around the world as P.T. Barnum, was a famous showman and entertainer who was influential in founding the Barnum and Bailey Circus in the 1800’s. In the Broadway musical entitled “The Greatest Showman”, Barnum sings a moving song which describes a major turning point in his life after he has experienced failure. Part of the song lyrics are “From now on, These eyes will not be blinded by the lights, From now on, What’s waited ‘til tomorrow starts tonight, Tonight, Let this promise in me start, Like an anthem in my heart, From now on, From now on, From now on…”
“FROM NOW ON” are 3 very powerful words. They speak of change which many times can be drastic and dramatic. This phrase can be spoken with such intensity. Perhaps you have heard someone say, “From now on things will be different around here…From now on I am quitting smoking…From now on you will keep a strict curfew…From now on you will report to me…From now on there will be no more…From now on I will…”
The greatest FROM NOW ON moment in any person’s life is when he or she:
- admits to being a sinner who is separated from God,
- believes Jesus Christ is the living God who died for man’s sin and arose again from the dead to prove His divine nature,
- confesses to Jesus his or her desire to make Him Savior and Lord, and
- decides to live a life that pleases and honors Jesus.
The apostle Paul had his “from now on moment” when Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus. [Acts 9] Don’t forget, he was a leading Pharisee, hard at work trying to cleanse the world of Christians who proclaimed Jesus Christ to be the Messiah. And further, don’t forget, he took his role very seriously by having Christians beaten and murdered. Stephen, the first martyr, died at the feet of Paul. Read his testimony in Galatians 1:13,14,23,24.
Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus Christ caused him to do a 180-degree turn. Just reread the above Scripture focus in 2 Corinthians. He turned from hating Christians to becoming one. His outlook was so transformed, he told the Corinthian Christians everything in his world view had been altered because of Jesus Christ. Paul told them that everyone has the same sin problem. You are in the same boat I am in. Jesus died for everyone so that you and I and everyone could experience His resurrection life and become new creations. This gives us a fresh, clean, new start to living a life of the highest purpose on earth. This is a FROM NOW ON moment like no other.
Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, had a FROM NOW ON moment. [Luke 1:46-49] Gabriel told her she would conceive the Son of God. She knew she was not perfect and was in need of personally being saved by God. This is why Mary declared, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name.” [Luke 1:46-48]
Peter, James, and John expressed a FROM NOW ON moment they never forgot. Jesus called them to become life changers. Luke 5:10b,11 states “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’” So, they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”
Zacchaeus had a FROM NOW ON moment. When this thieving tax collector invited Jesus to come to his house, Jesus transformed his life. Zacchaeus’ outlook on life so changed that he gave ½ of his wealth to the poor and paid back four times over to anyone he had cheated. See Luke 19:8.
Do you remember your FROM NOW ON moment when you decided to live to please God rather than yourself? Things changed. Old ways of doing things were stopped and new ways were embraced. Maybe it greatly impacted your language or the way you relate to people. One thing for sure is you became honest with God, yourself, and others. You became a new creation. Over time, people began to see you were a new person with a new personality, a new perspective on life, and a new part to play in life.
Maybe you need to experience a FROM NOW ON moment in your life. Now is the time. Don’t hesitate. It may seem like a big decision. Yes it is! But you haven’t come to this moment of time suddenly. Over time, you have been thinking, evaluating, procrastinating, considering options and finally you are reaching a turning point. You have come to a point where you want things to no longer remain the same. Changes have to be made. The Holy Spirit is calling you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord. This is your FROM NOW ON moment. Do it! Believe and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
SOMETHING TO DO
Think about how Jesus has changed your life. Give thanks to God as you remember the person you were in comparison to the person you are now. Name three blessings you have experienced since becoming a new creation because of Jesus Christ.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
FROM NOW ON, I place my faith in Jesus, I put my trust in God, I’ll let the Holy Spirit lead me, I’ll never turn around. FROM NOW ON, my heart belongs to Jesus, my soul is heaven bound, my mind is given to honor Christ. My strength will be pleasing to God. AMEN”