Monday, January 5 – “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” (John 1:12) This is what Jesus has done for you. You have the right to be called a dearly loved, sacred, child of God. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t do anything to you. Being a follower of Jesus simply allows you to be you.
Tuesday, January 6 – “The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.” (Psalm 115:16) You’ve been created in the image of God. And you’ve been given the responsibility to take care of the earth, as if you were created in the image of God. This means that there are laws of nature that will be followed, willingly or unwillingly. There are also animals and water resources and fossil fuels and entire cultures, depending on the possibility of all of us reconsidering our perspective of this world.
Wednesday, January 7 – “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” (Ephesians 2:17) Today, reconsider the peace that you currently experience in your life. Is it hit or miss? Do you feel peace sometimes, but maybe it’s been a while? Then ask yourself if you’re satisfied with feeling peace, every now and again? For peace isn’t simply something that you feel. As a follower of Jesus, peace is who you are. And this peace isn’t judging your future by your past. So, stop doing it yourself.
Thursday, January 8 – “’Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:39) Today, reconsider how you share your faith. Have you tried to tell others about Jesus and failed miserably? And has that experience tainted how you now view sharing your faith with others? Well, today do something new. Simply be you, right out in front of others. Walk with people, instead of preaching at people. And wait to see what starts to happen.
Friday, January 9 – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Ephesians 2:19) Today, I invite you to reconsider your perspective of humanity. When it comes to God, nobody is a foreigner or a stranger. All of us are already “fellow citizens”. We don’t just live in God’s neighborhood. We’re members of God’s household.
Saturday, January 10 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) Today, I invite you to reconsider your perspective of your needs. Until you acknowledge that you’re without, you’ll never be able to experience being within. Until you name and claim your “hunger and thirst for righteousness” you’ll never be righteous. For its only when you realize that you’ve lost something, that you’ll actually start looking for it.
Tuesday, January 6 – “The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.” (Psalm 115:16) You’ve been created in the image of God. And you’ve been given the responsibility to take care of the earth, as if you were created in the image of God. This means that there are laws of nature that will be followed, willingly or unwillingly. There are also animals and water resources and fossil fuels and entire cultures, depending on the possibility of all of us reconsidering our perspective of this world.
Wednesday, January 7 – “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” (Ephesians 2:17) Today, reconsider the peace that you currently experience in your life. Is it hit or miss? Do you feel peace sometimes, but maybe it’s been a while? Then ask yourself if you’re satisfied with feeling peace, every now and again? For peace isn’t simply something that you feel. As a follower of Jesus, peace is who you are. And this peace isn’t judging your future by your past. So, stop doing it yourself.
Thursday, January 8 – “’Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:39) Today, reconsider how you share your faith. Have you tried to tell others about Jesus and failed miserably? And has that experience tainted how you now view sharing your faith with others? Well, today do something new. Simply be you, right out in front of others. Walk with people, instead of preaching at people. And wait to see what starts to happen.
Friday, January 9 – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Ephesians 2:19) Today, I invite you to reconsider your perspective of humanity. When it comes to God, nobody is a foreigner or a stranger. All of us are already “fellow citizens”. We don’t just live in God’s neighborhood. We’re members of God’s household.
Saturday, January 10 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) Today, I invite you to reconsider your perspective of your needs. Until you acknowledge that you’re without, you’ll never be able to experience being within. Until you name and claim your “hunger and thirst for righteousness” you’ll never be righteous. For its only when you realize that you’ve lost something, that you’ll actually start looking for it.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
