Contact Me →

Christina Cook Lee

Media Producer - Author - Blogger - Songwriter

all things new

The end of the book

By Leave a Comment

Topic: Cultivating the will to live

Focus: The end of the book

Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

What if this turned out to be one of the best days of your life? What if new life was about to break forth from inside of you and from this moment, all things became fresh and new?

Whether you can see the results right now, or not, God is constantly making all things new in your life. Nothing stands still in the will of God. There is continual movement in the universe and in you. When you think you are resting in perfect stillness, LOTS of movement is taking place inside of you, as cells are regenerating and the body God gave you is being restored and rejuvenated. You might only see the effects of ‘aging’ as you look in the mirror…but inside of you, new life is happening everyday.

Instead of trying to stay motivated and cultivating the will to live, you might be focused on the things about yourself that may not seem to function as well as they used to. You might be wondering ‘how long you’ve got’. You might also have developed some habits of pessimism—as though things will probably only get worse from here on…and the best times are all in the past. Isn’t it interesting that you would be reading this right now? I guess God has other plans, and He wants you to focus on His power and not your weakness.

At times when I’ve been especially low, I’ve tried to remember what it says in ‘the end of the book’. By that, I mean the last couple of chapters in the Book of Revelation. Anyone who is struggling to stay motivated should read them frequently. Who couldn’t be comforted and inspired by the words that were written about the new things God is preparing for us right now?

(Read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

As we look around this world, there are many beautiful things to behold. Many wonders are all around us, yet we also see the decay of morality and the fragile condition of the economy. Violence is on every side—but we know that at this very moment, God is allowing all of these events to take place before the end of this age.

If we didn’t have the Bible and the prophecies contained in it—we would be without hope. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Matthew 16:33, NIV)

When we find ourselves feeling hopeless, it’s probably because we’re too focused on this moment in time. The feeling of hopelessness is also common in people who haven’t been reading enough of the Word of God. ‘The end of the book’ promises wonderful things for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Another blessed scripture, 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Did you get that? Did you notice that the verse doesn’t say God has prepared amazing things, ‘for those who lived a perfect life’? Did you also notice it doesn’t say, ‘…for those who were without sin’? It says God has prepared an inconceivable future for those who love Him. Wow.

If you love Him, you’re all set…because those who truly love God will have the revelation of His Son.

So, in these days of trials and testings, remember where your hope comes from. Remember you have a glorious inheritance ahead of you, if you remain faithful to the end.

God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We will not have to walk through anything alone. When we pass through all kinds of tribulation, He will be there with us. Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.

In this hour of your own need, call on the Name of the Lord. You will be saved! Whatever battle you are fighting or losing in your own strength, you can become victorious when you call for His help.

Everyday of your life can be the best day yet, when you are walking in hope. As you trust the grace of God and focus on loving Him, your days will steadily improve. You will find yourself being filled with new strength day by day. You will discover new mercies and the faithfulness of God, morning by morning.

So live this day expecting miracles.

Declaration: I will find new strength day by day. God’s mercy and faithfulness for me will be new every morning.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Forgetting the past

By Leave a Comment

Topic: Overcoming

Focus: Forgetting the past

Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

A wasteland is what is behind you. Remembering what it was like for you before you decided to make a change for the better has no place in your recovery—other than to remind you that it was a wilderness.

What can be ahead for you is literally the difference between life and death. Death is where you were. Life is in the future.

‘Living in the past’ is an important habit to break if you are ever going to be a true overcomer. Making the decision to recover from a history of depression and dependency is the first and most important step, but you hit a big roadblock when you aren’t able to disengage from history and truly move into the future.

You need to see yourself with new eyes. You are not who you were then. You don’t even look the same. That may be a hard thing for you to come to grips with, but it is absolutely true and you must accept it as a fact. A part of you may not want to let go of your past image of yourself—or you may be tempted to gloss it over and tell yourself that is was better than it actually was.

Don’t keep looking back. It isn’t healthy. It isn’t what God wants you to do. Your future is ‘on hold’ while you are living in the past.

You have ‘outgrown’ who you were then. Remember when you were an adolescent and your feet were growing fast? At times, you outgrew your shoes before you wore them out. You may have had shoes you really liked, but one day—the pain just wasn’t worth it anymore and you had to stop wearing them. They were too small.

(Read more below)

 NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

 

New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

It’s the same way with holding onto who you used to be. It doesn’t fit anymore. No matter whether you’d like to keep living that life again or not—you can’t. It’s time to move ahead. You won’t become all that God wants you to be as long as you keep seeing yourself ‘back then’.

You may view the future with uncertainty, assuming the past was better than what might be ahead—but that is denying the power of God to bless you as He wants to. That’s the same as not trusting what He’s going to do for you.

God wants so much to give you a new life. He has so much love for you. He can change everything for you in a moment and turn everything that was bad into something good—if you will just trust His power.

God is not done with you. He started your development in the womb, but He hasn’t stopped from the day you were conceived. You are not stuck in a rut like you may think. His work of creation in your life continues even now. There are many new words He wants to speak to you. Many new thoughts He would like to impart and places He wants to take you as He reveals Himself more and more. Trust Him!

There is no limit to God’s imagination. You are delaying Him from unleashing His majesty as you choose to look back. He is not done with you. Look ahead!

New vision, new dreams—new, new, new—is what He is saying today. Trust His power to pull you ahead. Believe that His strength is yours—He has no lack! He is all you are not and He wants to pour Himself into you and fill you up. You don’t have to be empty and hollow—let Him fill you!

See yourself flying on His back—over mountains, valleys, land and sea. He wants to have you rest on Him and let Him take you forward to new things. He bids you to come, but it is you who must be willing to step forward and take flight.

Say ‘Yes’ to Him. Tell Him you are willing to walk out of the past and into the future. Tell Him you want to accept His power to carry you. Tell Him you are ready for new things, new adventures, new thoughts, new revelations.

He is God. He is the source of all creativity. He made human life out of the dust of the ground. He can work with what you have to offer—no matter how little it seems you have left to give Him. Just say, ‘Yes’.

Declaration: I will stop delaying the new things God desires to do in my life. I will find new strength and a new future by saying, ‘Yes’.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

The end of the book

By Leave a Comment

Topic: Cultivating the will to live

Focus: The end of the book

Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

What if this turned out to be one of the best days of your life? What if new life was about to break forth from inside of you and from this moment, all things became fresh and new?

Whether you can see the results right now, or not, God is constantly making all things new in your life. Nothing stands still in the will of God. There is continual movement in the universe and in you. When you think you are resting in perfect stillness, LOTS of movement is taking place inside of you, as cells are regenerating and the body God gave you is being restored and rejuvenated. You might only see the effects of ‘aging’ as you look in the mirror…but inside of you, new life is happening everyday.

Instead of trying to stay motivated and cultivating the will to live, you might be focused on the things about yourself that may not seem to function as well as they used to. You might be wondering ‘how long you’ve got’. You might also have developed some habits of pessimism—as though things will probably only get worse from here on…and the best times are all in the past. Isn’t it interesting that you would be reading this right now? I guess God has other plans, and He wants you to focus on His power and not your weakness.

At times when I’ve been especially low, I’ve tried to remember what it says in ‘the end of the book’. By that, I mean the last couple of chapters in the Book of Revelation. Anyone who is struggling to stay motivated should read them frequently. Who couldn’t be comforted and inspired by the words that were written about the new things God is preparing for us right now?

(Read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

As we look around this world, there are many beautiful things to behold. Many wonders are all around us, yet we also see the decay of morality and the fragile condition of the economy. Violence is on every side—but we know that at this very moment, God is allowing all of these events to take place before the end of this age.

If we didn’t have the Bible and the prophecies contained in it—we would be without hope. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Matthew 16:33, NIV)

When we find ourselves feeling hopeless, it’s probably because we’re too focused on this moment in time. The feeling of hopelessness is also common in people who haven’t been reading enough of the Word of God. ‘The end of the book’ promises wonderful things for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Another blessed scripture, 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Did you get that? Did you notice that the verse doesn’t say God has prepared amazing things, ‘for those who lived a perfect life’? Did you also notice it doesn’t say, ‘…for those who were without sin’? It says God has prepared an inconceivable future for those who love Him. Wow.

If you love Him, you’re all set…because those who truly love God will have the revelation of His Son.

So, in these days of trials and testings, remember where your hope comes from. Remember you have a glorious inheritance ahead of you, if you remain faithful to the end.

God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We will not have to walk through anything alone. When we pass through all kinds of tribulation, He will be there with us. Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.

In this hour of your own need, call on the Name of the Lord. You will be saved! Whatever battle you are fighting or losing in your own strength, you can become victorious when you call for His help.

Everyday of your life can be the best day yet, when you are walking in hope. As you trust the grace of God and focus on loving Him, your days will steadily improve. You will find yourself being filled with new strength day by day. You will discover new mercies and the faithfulness of God, morning by morning.

So live this day expecting miracles.

Declaration: I will find new strength day by day. God’s mercy and faithfulness for me will be new every morning.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Forgetting the past

By Leave a Comment

Topic: Overcoming

Focus: Forgetting the past

Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

A wasteland is what is behind you. Remembering what it was like for you before you decided to make a change for the better has no place in your recovery—other than to remind you that it was a wilderness.

What can be ahead for you is literally the difference between life and death. Death is where you were. Life is in the future.

‘Living in the past’ is an important habit to break if you are ever going to be a true overcomer. Making the decision to recover from a history of depression and dependency is the first and most important step, but you hit a big roadblock when you aren’t able to disengage from history and truly move into the future.

You need to see yourself with new eyes. You are not who you were then. You don’t even look the same. That may be a hard thing for you to come to grips with, but it is absolutely true and you must accept it as a fact. A part of you may not want to let go of your past image of yourself—or you may be tempted to gloss it over and tell yourself that is was better than it actually was.

Don’t keep looking back. It isn’t healthy. It isn’t what God wants you to do. Your future is ‘on hold’ while you are living in the past.

You have ‘outgrown’ who you were then. Remember when you were an adolescent and your feet were growing fast? At times, you outgrew your shoes before you wore them out. You may have had shoes you really liked, but one day—the pain just wasn’t worth it anymore and you had to stop wearing them. They were too small.

(Read more below)

 NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

 

New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

It’s the same way with holding onto who you used to be. It doesn’t fit anymore. No matter whether you’d like to keep living that life again or not—you can’t. It’s time to move ahead. You won’t become all that God wants you to be as long as you keep seeing yourself ‘back then’.

You may view the future with uncertainty, assuming the past was better than what might be ahead—but that is denying the power of God to bless you as He wants to. That’s the same as not trusting what He’s going to do for you.

God wants so much to give you a new life. He has so much love for you. He can change everything for you in a moment and turn everything that was bad into something good—if you will just trust His power.

God is not done with you. He started your development in the womb, but He hasn’t stopped from the day you were conceived. You are not stuck in a rut like you may think. His work of creation in your life continues even now. There are many new words He wants to speak to you. Many new thoughts He would like to impart and places He wants to take you as He reveals Himself more and more. Trust Him!

There is no limit to God’s imagination. You are delaying Him from unleashing His majesty as you choose to look back. He is not done with you. Look ahead!

New vision, new dreams—new, new, new—is what He is saying today. Trust His power to pull you ahead. Believe that His strength is yours—He has no lack! He is all you are not and He wants to pour Himself into you and fill you up. You don’t have to be empty and hollow—let Him fill you!

See yourself flying on His back—over mountains, valleys, land and sea. He wants to have you rest on Him and let Him take you forward to new things. He bids you to come, but it is you who must be willing to step forward and take flight.

Say ‘Yes’ to Him. Tell Him you are willing to walk out of the past and into the future. Tell Him you want to accept His power to carry you. Tell Him you are ready for new things, new adventures, new thoughts, new revelations.

He is God. He is the source of all creativity. He made human life out of the dust of the ground. He can work with what you have to offer—no matter how little it seems you have left to give Him. Just say, ‘Yes’.

Declaration: I will stop delaying the new things God desires to do in my life. I will find new strength and a new future by saying, ‘Yes’.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

 

Cultivating the will to live

By Leave a Comment

Focus: The end of the book

Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

What if this turned out to be one of the best days of your life? What if new life was about to break forth from inside of you and from this moment, all things became fresh and new?

Whether you can see the results right now, or not, God is constantly making all things new in your life. Nothing stands still in the will of God. There is continual movement in the universe and in you. When you think you are resting in perfect stillness, LOTS of movement is taking place inside of you, as cells are regenerating and the body God gave you is being restored and rejuvenated. You might only see the effects of ‘aging’ as you look in the mirror…but inside of you, new life is happening everyday.

Instead of trying to stay motivated and cultivating the will to live, you might be focused on the things about yourself that may not seem to function as well as they used to. You might be wondering ‘how long you’ve got’. You might also have developed some habits of pessimism—as though things will probably only get worse from here on…and the best times are all in the past. Isn’t it interesting that you would be reading this right now? I guess God has other plans, and He wants you to focus on His power and not your weakness.

At times when I’ve been especially low, I’ve tried to remember what it says in ‘the end of the book’. By that, I mean the last couple of chapters in the Book of Revelation. Anyone who is struggling to stay motivated should read them frequently. Who couldn’t be comforted and inspired by the words that were written about the new things God is preparing for us right now?

(Read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

As we look around this world, there are many beautiful things to behold. Many wonders are all around us, yet we also see the decay of morality and the fragile condition of the economy. Violence is on every side—but we know that at this very moment, God is allowing all of these events to take place before the end of this age.

If we didn’t have the Bible and the prophecies contained in it—we would be without hope. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Matthew 16:33, NIV)

When we find ourselves feeling hopeless, it’s probably because we’re too focused on this moment in time. The feeling of hopelessness is also common in people who haven’t been reading enough of the Word of God. ‘The end of the book’ promises wonderful things for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Another blessed scripture, 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Did you get that? Did you notice that the verse doesn’t say God has prepared amazing things, ‘for those who lived a perfect life’? Did you also notice it doesn’t say, ‘…for those who were without sin’? It says God has prepared an inconceivable future for those who love Him. Wow.

If you love Him, you’re all set…because those who truly love God will have the revelation of His Son.

So, in these days of trials and testings, remember where your hope comes from. Remember you have a glorious inheritance ahead of you, if you remain faithful to the end.

God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We will not have to walk through anything alone. When we pass through all kinds of tribulation, He will be there with us. Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.

In this hour of your own need, call on the Name of the Lord. You will be saved! Whatever battle you are fighting or losing in your own strength, you can become victorious when you call for His help.

Everyday of your life can be the best day yet, when you are walking in hope. As you trust the grace of God and focus on loving Him, your days will steadily improve. You will find yourself being filled with new strength day by day. You will discover new mercies and the faithfulness of God, morning by morning.

So live this day expecting miracles.

Declaration: I will find new strength day by day. God’s mercy and faithfulness for me will be new every morning.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

SaveSave

Overcoming

By Leave a Comment

Focus: Forgetting the past

Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

A wasteland is what is behind you. Remembering what it was like for you before you decided to make a change for the better has no place in your recovery—other than to remind you that it was a wilderness.

What can be ahead for you is literally the difference between life and death. Death is where you were. Life is in the future.

‘Living in the past’ is an important habit to break if you are ever going to be a true overcomer. Making the decision to recover from a history of depression and dependency is the first and most important step, but you hit a big roadblock when you aren’t able to disengage from history and truly move into the future.

You need to see yourself with new eyes. You are not who you were then. You don’t even look the same. That may be a hard thing for you to come to grips with, but it is absolutely true and you must accept it as a fact. A part of you may not want to let go of your past image of yourself—or you may be tempted to gloss it over and tell yourself that is was better than it actually was.

Don’t keep looking back. It isn’t healthy. It isn’t what God wants you to do. Your future is ‘on hold’ while you are living in the past.

You have ‘outgrown’ who you were then. Remember when you were an adolescent and your feet were growing fast? At times, you outgrew your shoes before you wore them out. You may have had shoes you really liked, but one day—the pain just wasn’t worth it anymore and you had to stop wearing them. They were too small.

(read more below)

 NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

 

Link to New Strength Audio Version

 

New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

It’s the same way with holding onto who you used to be. It doesn’t fit anymore. No matter whether you’d like to keep living that life again or not—you can’t. It’s time to move ahead. You won’t become all that God wants you to be as long as you keep seeing yourself ‘back then’.

You may view the future with uncertainty, assuming the past was better than what might be ahead—but that is denying the power of God to bless you as He wants to. That’s the same as not trusting what He’s going to do for you.

God wants so much to give you a new life. He has so much love for you. He can change everything for you in a moment and turn everything that was bad into something good—if you will just trust His power.

God is not done with you. He started your development in the womb, but He hasn’t stopped from the day you were conceived. You are not stuck in a rut like you may think. His work of creation in your life continues even now. There are many new words He wants to speak to you. Many new thoughts He would like to impart and places He wants to take you as He reveals Himself more and more. Trust Him!

There is no limit to God’s imagination. You are delaying Him from unleashing His majesty as you choose to look back. He is not done with you. Look ahead!

New vision, new dreams—new, new, new—is what He is saying today. Trust His power to pull you ahead. Believe that His strength is yours—He has no lack! He is all you are not and He wants to pour Himself into you and fill you up. You don’t have to be empty and hollow—let Him fill you!

See yourself flying on His back—over mountains, valleys, land and sea. He wants to have you rest on Him and let Him take you forward to new things. He bids you to come, but it is you who must be willing to step forward and take flight.

Say ‘Yes’ to Him. Tell Him you are willing to walk out of the past and into the future. Tell Him you want to accept His power to carry you. Tell Him you are ready for new things, new adventures, new thoughts, new revelations.

He is God. He is the source of all creativity. He made human life out of the dust of the ground. He can work with what you have to offer—no matter how little it seems you have left to give Him. Just say, ‘Yes’.

Declaration: I will stop delaying the new things God desires to do in my life. I will find new strength and a new future by saying, ‘Yes’.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.