You were taught . . . to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV))
Sometimes students in the gym class I teach have a
difficult day, and it shows in their behavior. So we walk to the hallway together and talk about beginning the day again. As the children reenter the gym, I greet them as if I had not seen them that day. It is a much needed chance for us to start our time together anew.
We all need the opportunity for a fresh beginning at some point. Maybe we have failed in a relationship or lost employment. Maybe we are so discouraged we don’t know if we possess the energy to change. Or perhaps we have made such a mess of things that it is hard to see any way to move forward.
Regardless of our situation, Jesus offers us the chance to begin anew. In prayer, we can begin to accept the gifts of his love, forgiveness, and mercy. When we offer those same gifts to others, we can help them make a new beginning. Even if our circumstances do not immediately improve, our attitude and perspective can help us continue onward in hope.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Loving God, thank you for allowing us to start every day anew in your love. You alone give us never-ending hope. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Ephesians 4:
PRAYER FOCUS: Those who are discouraged
We all need the opportunity for a fresh beginning at some point. Maybe we have failed in a relationship or lost employment. Maybe we are so discouraged we don’t know if we possess the energy to change. Or perhaps we have made such a mess of things that it is hard to see any way to move forward.
Regardless of our situation, Jesus offers us the chance to begin anew. In prayer, we can begin to accept the gifts of his love, forgiveness, and mercy. When we offer those same gifts to others, we can help them make a new beginning. Even if our circumstances do not immediately improve, our attitude and perspective can help us continue onward in hope.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Loving God, thank you for allowing us to start every day anew in your love. You alone give us never-ending hope. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Ephesians 4:
20 But this is not the lesson you learned from the Messiah! 21 If you really listened to him and were instructed about him, then you learned that since what is in Yeshua is truth, 22 then, so far as your former way of life is concerned, you must strip off your old nature, because your old nature is thoroughly rotted by its deceptive desires; 23 and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed, 24 and clothe yourselves with the new nature created to be godly, which expresses itself in the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth.
25 Therefore, stripping off falsehood, let everyone speak truth with his neighbor,[Ephesians 4:25 Zechariah 8:16] because we are intimately related to each other as parts of a body. 26 Be angry, but don’t sin[
Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:5(4)
] — don’t let the sun go down before you have dealt with the cause of your anger; 27 otherwise you leave room for the Adversary.
28 The thief must stop stealing; instead, he should make an honest living by his own efforts. This way he will be able to share with those in need.
29 Let no harmful language come from your mouth, only good words that are helpful in meeting the need, words that will benefit those who hear them. 30 Don’t cause grief to God’s Ruach HaKodesh, for he has stamped you as his property until the day of final redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, violent assertiveness and slander, along with all spitefulness. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted; and forgive each other, just as in the Messiah God has also forgiven you. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: How can Jesus help me start afresh today?PRAYER FOCUS: Those who are discouraged
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