Thursday, January 12, 2023

Thursday, January 12, 2023
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I think that we as Christians often hesitate to listen to that little voice. The voice that says, “you should pay for the person behind you in the drive through,” or “that person looks down, you should go talk to them.” You’ve probably heard it, and you’ve probably forced yourself to ignore it because the suggestions seem silly or unnecessary. But sometimes you need to leave your comfort zone and trust that voice, even if you don’t see the benefit of what you are doing right now. Little acts of kindness can go a long way toward impacting someone more than you know. God has a plan for every kind act, and we can be His hands and feet by listening to His voice.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Ephesians 4:22-23
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.

What does it mean to “put off the old self?” It means that when you become a Christian, you don’t have to live the way you did before. Sin has been defeated, and it no longer gets to run rampant in your life. Whereas the old you might not have had a problem disobeying God’s commandments, the new you hesitates while remembering the agony that Christ suffered to atone for those mistakes. But the choice is still yours. Every day, distance yourself from sin and the temptation to sin, focusing on God. By making Him your first priority, you’ll live in a way that the “old self” never would.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Even as Christians, we still mess up. No one is righteous, the Bible says, not even one. Saved or unsaved, we all fall short… but if you’ve accepted Christ’s payment for you, you are forever redeemed. Does that mean you shouldn’t worry about your sin? Absolutely not. If you’ve repented and come to the cross, your old self was crucified with Christ, and now you are no longer just you, because Jesus and the Holy Spirit live with you. The life you now live, you live in the sinful body you were born in, but you shouldn’t live by sin. Instead, live by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you.

Monday, January 9, 2023

Monday, January 9, 2023
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

If you are in Christ, it means that you’ve repented of sin and accepted the payment that Jesus made for you on the cross. His blood was the ultimate sacrifice, and if you believe and trust in Him, your sins have been atoned for and you are a new creation. No matter what you’ve done, the forgiveness of Christ is enough. The more you get to know God, the more the old you will fade away, as the Lord transforms you into something better. After coming to grips with Christ’s infinite love, how can any of us stay the same?

Friday, January 6, 2023

Friday, January 6, 2023
Psalm 51:10-11
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

A new year brings new opportunities to better yourself, make good habits, and refocus on your relationship with God. Maybe last year you didn’t talk to Him as much as you wanted, or you want to put an emphasis on reading the Bible regularly. Rest assured, the Lord is ready and waiting for you. If your desire is to know Him more and to be who He wants you to be, He will give you a clean heart and renew your spirit. God will never cast you away because you are His beloved child. If you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Thursday, January 5, 2023
Philippians 3:13
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

If Jesus is a part of your life, try to imagine the kind of person you’d be if He wasn’t in your story. The truth is that without God, you and I are powerless, sinful, and selfish by nature. Everything good that comes out of your life is accomplished with Christ’s help, and you can do all things through Him who gives you strength. You haven’t made it this far by yourself, but with the help of the Lord, who will carry you further. God will give you opportunities in life to do amazing things for Him, so keep your vision facing forward. Press on through life and pursue the Lord’s will, doing your best with all that He gives you.