Series | The God Kind of Life
Scripture | 1 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."
I'll never forget the first day I became a brand new person. It was November 5th, 1995 in my Mom's kitchen when I confessed my sins and put my full trust in Jesus Christ. I remember going back to the girl's house I was living at with my Bible from elementary school and trying to go "back to normal." However, I couldn't live the same anymore... everything felt different.
I tried to put on the same music I'd been playing just the night before but it didn't sound right. I gave some of my friends a call and tried talking about the normal day-to-day stuff but something just didn't feel right. So I went to the bathroom and opened up that ole' Bible and started reading the first place I could find.
The page landed in the heart of the Psalms of David. I first started to read the verses to myself, but I felt them coming to my lips. So I started to read them out loud and all of a sudden tears started pouring down my face as I heard the words of David to God. His worship to God was the cry of my heart- I was so desperate for more of God. I knew from that day forward I wasn't going to be satisfied with half of God and half of me, I needed all of God in all of me all of the time. It was all or nothing and I chose "all!"
Now as I write about my "born again" experience it has been more than 17 years! I've seen God be faithful in each and every situation I have faced. Therefore, I would like to challenge you to have the same experience if you have never been born again (John 3:3-16) and start a new life with Jesus today. And if you have been born again then I want to challenge you to never go back to your old life, but rather live your new life 100% with God every day.
God loves to show up and change our lives. When he does we are literally so radically changed that we become a "new creation." I'm not referring to "going to church," "trying to be a better person," or "having a near death experience." I'm describing a total transformation and renovation of the person you used to be.
Meaning, the person you are now in Christ has never existed before and everything in your past is gone- all the hurt, sin, and disappointment. Every day after your day of salvation is a new day- so live like it. You may get discouraged sometimes because you act like the old you or even feel like giving up when things get tough. But always try to remember who your God is and what He did for you. He died so that you might live!
In Christ you are a new creation!
Reflection | Are you living the new life since the day you met Jesus?
Action | (1) If you're not born again, repent of your sins and put your full trust in Jesus. (2) If you're born again examine your life to see if any of the old junk has come back. If it has, repent to God for it and ask Him to make you a new person in each and every area of your life. (3) Tell somebody today your story about how God changed you- it will increase your faith and encourage them.
One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Genesis 1:1-2:25, Matthew 1:1-2:12, Psalm 1:1-6, & Proverbs 1:1-6. Click here to read online.
I'll never forget the first day I became a brand new person. It was November 5th, 1995 in my Mom's kitchen when I confessed my sins and put my full trust in Jesus Christ. I remember going back to the girl's house I was living at with my Bible from elementary school and trying to go "back to normal." However, I couldn't live the same anymore... everything felt different.
I tried to put on the same music I'd been playing just the night before but it didn't sound right. I gave some of my friends a call and tried talking about the normal day-to-day stuff but something just didn't feel right. So I went to the bathroom and opened up that ole' Bible and started reading the first place I could find.
The page landed in the heart of the Psalms of David. I first started to read the verses to myself, but I felt them coming to my lips. So I started to read them out loud and all of a sudden tears started pouring down my face as I heard the words of David to God. His worship to God was the cry of my heart- I was so desperate for more of God. I knew from that day forward I wasn't going to be satisfied with half of God and half of me, I needed all of God in all of me all of the time. It was all or nothing and I chose "all!"
Now as I write about my "born again" experience it has been more than 17 years! I've seen God be faithful in each and every situation I have faced. Therefore, I would like to challenge you to have the same experience if you have never been born again (John 3:3-16) and start a new life with Jesus today. And if you have been born again then I want to challenge you to never go back to your old life, but rather live your new life 100% with God every day.
God loves to show up and change our lives. When he does we are literally so radically changed that we become a "new creation." I'm not referring to "going to church," "trying to be a better person," or "having a near death experience." I'm describing a total transformation and renovation of the person you used to be.
Meaning, the person you are now in Christ has never existed before and everything in your past is gone- all the hurt, sin, and disappointment. Every day after your day of salvation is a new day- so live like it. You may get discouraged sometimes because you act like the old you or even feel like giving up when things get tough. But always try to remember who your God is and what He did for you. He died so that you might live!
In Christ you are a new creation!
Reflection | Are you living the new life since the day you met Jesus?
Action | (1) If you're not born again, repent of your sins and put your full trust in Jesus. (2) If you're born again examine your life to see if any of the old junk has come back. If it has, repent to God for it and ask Him to make you a new person in each and every area of your life. (3) Tell somebody today your story about how God changed you- it will increase your faith and encourage them.
One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Genesis 1:1-2:25, Matthew 1:1-2:12, Psalm 1:1-6, & Proverbs 1:1-6. Click here to read online.
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