"Everything New" Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new! 18 And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation, 19 which is that God in the Messiah was reconciling mankind to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah; in effect, God is making his appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, “Be reconciled to God! 21 God made this sinless man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness.”
-------
In our Bible verses today, Paul talked about new life in Jesus. Paul knew about becoming a new person. He changed from persecuting Christians to being a missionary for Jesus.
Paul explained that when a person becomes a Christian, his way of thinking is changed. He doesn't live for himself any more. Instead, he lives for God. A Christian doesn't see people like he did before. He sees them through God's loving eyes. God has changed his life in every way.
As Christians, God helps us change our actions, our words and our thoughts. This happens because we allow God's Spirit to work in our lives every day.
Take time today to thank God for your new life in Jesus. "The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! All this is from God" (verses 17b-18a).[Steve Husting]
"He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him."[2 Corinthians 5:15]
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for making me a new person. Show me how I can serve You today. In Jesus' name. Amen.
-------
Paul explained that when a person becomes a Christian, his way of thinking is changed. He doesn't live for himself any more. Instead, he lives for God. A Christian doesn't see people like he did before. He sees them through God's loving eyes. God has changed his life in every way.
As Christians, God helps us change our actions, our words and our thoughts. This happens because we allow God's Spirit to work in our lives every day.
Take time today to thank God for your new life in Jesus. "The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! All this is from God" (verses 17b-18a).[Steve Husting]
"He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him."[2 Corinthians 5:15]
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for making me a new person. Show me how I can serve You today. In Jesus' name. Amen.
-------
"Coffee" for Wednesday, 15 March 2017 with the Bible Reading: Psalm 65:1-8
Psalm 65:1 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David. A song:
2 (1) To you, God, in Tziyon, silence is praise;
and vows to you are to be fulfilled.
3 (2) You who listen to prayer,
to you all living creatures come.
4 (3) When deeds of wickedness overwhelm me,
you will atone for our crimes.
5 (4) How blessed are those you choose and bring near,
so that they can remain in your courtyards!
We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
the Holy Place of your temple.
6 (5) It is just that you answer us with awesome deeds,
God of our salvation,
you in whom all put their trust,
to the ends of the earth and on distant seas.
7 (6) By your strength you set up the mountains.
You are clothed with power.
8 (7) You still the roaring of the seas,
their crashing waves, and the peoples’ turmoil.
-------
I love coffee! I like the taste and smell of coffee. I also like the energy I get from the caffeine in the coffee. I enjoy trying coffees with different flavors and exploring new ways to make coffee. I guess you could say that I am excited about coffee!
God wants me to pray to Him. My prayers are important to Him. In Revelation 5:8, the prayers of Christians are compared to good-smelling incense. Just as coffee smells good to me, my prayers "smell good" to God.
I am excited about drinking coffee. But I am more excited about my communication with God. Our Bible verses today remind us that anyone can pray to God, that He always pays attention to our prayers and that He will answer our prayers.
I hope you will be excited to spend some time today praying to God![Lauren Becker]
"Don't worry about anything,
but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God's peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings."[Philippians 4:6-7a]
PRAYER: Father, what a blessing to know that You pay attention to my prayers! In Jesus' name. Amen.
-------
"Genesis (8)" for Tuesday, 14 March 2017 with the Bible Reading: Genesis 48:8-11
Genesis 48:8 Then Isra’el noticed Yosef’s sons and asked, “Whose are these?” 9 Yosef answered his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” Ya‘akov replied, “I want you to bring them here to me, so that I can bless them.” (ii) 10 Now Isra’el’s eyes were dim with age, so that he could not see. Yosef brought his sons near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 11 Isra’el said to Yosef, “I never expected to see even you again, but God has allowed me to see your children too!”
-------
When a Hebrew father was old and ready to die, he would say a blessing to his children and grandchildren. In our Bible verses for today, Israel (also called Jacob) was ready to die.
Joseph brought his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to Israel. Then he blessed them. Israel said, "I pray that they will grow to become great families and nations on earth" (Genesis 48:16b). Israel wanted God to guide and protect his family.
When my two sons were born, I prayed that God would protect them and bless them. I watched my sons grow up. Sometimes they faced difficult times like when their father passed away. But even though they have struggled, God has blessed them and kept them safe. I continue to pray for my sons every day.
Do you have children or grandchildren? Thank God for them. And ask God to bless them, take care of them and help them to always be close to Him.[Bonnie Hall]
"Children are a gift from the Lord, a reward from a mother's womb.
A young man's sons are like
the arrows in a soldier's hand."[Psalm 127:3-4]
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the children in my life. Please bless them and take care of them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
-------
"Genesis (7)" for Monday, 13 March 2017 with the Bible Reading: Genesis 39:1-6
Genesis 39:1 (v) Yosef was brought down to Egypt, and Potifar, an officer of Pharaoh’s and captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Yishma‘elim who had brought him there. 2 Adonai was with Yosef, and he became wealthy while he was in the household of his master the Egyptian. 3 His master saw how Adonai was with him, that Adonai prospered everything he did. 4 Yosef pleased him as he served him, and his master appointed him manager of his household; he entrusted all his possessions to Yosef. 5 From the time he appointed him manager of his household and all his possessions, Adonai blessed the Egyptian’s household for Yosef’s sake; Adonai’s blessing was on all he owned, whether in the house or in the field. 6 So he left all his possessions in Yosef’s care; and because he had him, he paid no attention to his affairs, except for the food he ate.
Now Yosef was well-built and handsome as well.
-------
Sometimes things happen that change our plans. That's what happened to Joseph. His brothers hated him and wanted to get rid of him. So they sold Joseph to some traders who took him to Egypt. There Joseph became a servant in the house of Potiphar.
Joseph was probably very young. He must have been scared, confused and lonely in Egypt. But God was with Joseph, and Joseph depended on God to lead him. God blessed Joseph and made him successful. And God also blessed the people around Joseph. "...the Lord blessed the house and everything that Potiphar owned" (verse 5b).
Maybe you are living in a place where you did not plan to live. Or maybe you are working a job that is not your favorite kind of job. Perhaps you are feeling confused and alone like Joseph did. Don't give up. Depend on God to help and strengthen you. God has a plan for your life. He will be with you and help you succeed.[Bonnie Hall]
"The Lord also blessed everything that grew in Potiphar's fields. The Lord did this because of Joseph."[Genesis 39:5b]
PRAYER: God, I know that when I face difficult situations, You will be with me and help me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
-------
"Genesis (6)" for Sunday, 12 March 2017 with the Bible Reading: Genesis 24:10-14
Genesis 24:(iii) 10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and all kinds of gifts from his master, got up and went to Aram-Naharayim, to Nachor’s city. 11 Toward evening, when the women go out to draw water, he had the camels kneel down outside the city by the well. 12 He said, “Adonai, God of my master Avraham, please let me succeed today; and show your grace to my master Avraham. 13 Here I am, standing by the spring, as the daughters of the townsfolk come out to draw water. 14 I will say to one of the girls, ‘Please lower your jug, so that I can drink.’ If she answers, ‘Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well,’ then let her be the one you intend for your servant Yitz’chak. This is how I will know that you have shown grace to my master.”
-------
In our Bible verses today, Abraham sent his servant to his homeland to find a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a woman who did not worship God.
Abraham's servant traveled and arrived at a well where the women from the city came to get their water. The servant prayed, "Lord, you are the God of my master Abraham. Please show your kindness to my master by helping me find a wife for his son Isaac" (verse 12). Then the servant specifically asked God to show him the right woman for Isaac. Even before the servant finished praying, God answered His prayer and brought Rebecca to the well.
Often we pray to God and use general words. We should be like Abraham's servant. We should pray with confidence and be specific when we ask God for answers to our prayers.
Talk to God today. Be specific with your prayer requests and confident that God will give you answers.[Bonnie Hall]
"Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you."[Psalm 37:5]
PRAYER: Lord, I love You! Thank You for answering my prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment