“For
this reason, since the day we heard about them, we have not stopped praying for
them and asking God to fill them with the knowledge of his will through all
spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that they
may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:
bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being
strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that they may
have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who
has qualified them to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of
light. For he has rescued them from the dominion of darkness and brought
them into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom they have redemption, the
forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14
Dear
forever changed participant,
This
scripture has been prayed for you continually for the past two months. We are
so thrilled that you are coming to seek all that God has for your life. These
last few days before the conference we will be sending just a few thoughts to
prep our hearts for the great work God wants to do this weekend in each one of
us. I pray that this isn’t just a weekend event, instead I’m asking God for it
to be a soul satisfying, heart transforming, spirit uplifting, wonderful time
that you will never forget because you’ve been forever changed.
So
much love,
Tammy
Day One… RENOVATION OF THE HEART: THE OLD YOU HAS GONE
Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The word
"new" strikes a chord with most of us. There is something inspiring
about getting a new anything. Shopping is one of our nation's favorite
pastimes, bordering on obsession. We love to buy new things, go to new places,
eat at new restaurants--you name it, if it is new, then we are interested. And
if all of this is not enough, we can go a step further and get a brand new
makeover for ourselves. Today, a person has several options to choose from for
their new look, from whiter teeth to a whole new face. Plastic surgeons are
more popular than ever as they give hope of not only a new look, but a new
life. People today are desperately seeking something new and are willing to do
anything to re-create themselves.
I keep
thinking of the phrases "beauty is only skin deep" and "the new
will wear off." The basic point in these sayings is this: surface
pleasures that bring joy and excitement do not last as they eventually fade
away. Our joy is not on the outside but on our inside. Our happiness begins
within us. If we are not fulfilled in who we are in ourselves then we will not
ever be able to buy enough new things or make ourselves look good enough to
fill the emptiness. How do we find this inner joy? How can we find true
contentment? Our verse today is one that should give us all great encouragement
and hope. Anyone who comes to Jesus Christ is given a brand new start.
"All things have become new." What an amazing promise!
Nothing we
could ever buy could compare to actually being given a new start in life. Jesus
promises us that we not only get a new start, but we become a new creation. We
are born again in His Spirit (John 3:3-8) and are forever changed. "I,
even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not
remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25) Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior,
He wipes all of our sins away and we are given a new start with a new life. If
you are in Christ, take hold of this promise today. Do not believe the lies of
the enemy who will tell you that you are still the same old sinner. Praise the
Lord for His mercies and ask Him to teach you day by day how to live as His new
creation. Ask the Lord to help you let go of the past and start living for Him
today. Go forward, not backward.
Crosswalk.com Daily Disciples Devotion Sept 12 2007 by Tonilee Adamson and Bobbye Brooks
Comments