Today's Verse - Ephesians 4:23

...be made new in the attitude of your minds...

—Ephesians 4:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Remember, our verse today comes from Paul's challenge to put off our old way of life (Ephesians 4:22-24). As we put off the corruption and deceitful desires of our former way of life before Jesus, we now offer ourselves to God to be renewed. But we cannot renew ourselves on our own. We can guard ourselves against corrupting influences, but only God can renew us and enable us to discern his will more fully (Romans 12:1-2). God promises to do the work of renewal in us! Jesus didn't just come to save us from sin, death, and hell; he also came to redeem us for his purposes and his work as his living piece of artistry (Ephesians 2:1-10). God sustains, empowers, and renews us as the Holy Spirit transforms us in this renewal. So, let's offer ourselves first to God and then to others as servants of the LORD Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:5). Then, we confidently ask for the Holy Spirit to make us new inside and out!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, I come to you asking for your grace to make me new in how I look at things, especially how I view people. Please cleanse my heart and make me new in my mind and my spirit. I want to live each day of this coming year sharing your love, empowered by your Spirit, and aware of your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 4:22

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires...

—Ephesians 4:22

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Paul gives us several challenging verses when we read Ephesians 4:22-24. We will take each of these verses one day at a time. Today, Paul reminds us that we surrendered our hearts to God. Our old selves were crucified with Christ when we became Christians (Romans 6:6). Jesus reminds us that this kind of surrender is something each of us should do daily (Luke 9:23). We need to put the old sinful life aside every day — "put off your old self" — and choose to live for Jesus in response to God's grace. Why is this "putting off" so important? Because our way of life before being united with Christ was full of sinful influences and the deceitful desires that the evil one seeks to reawaken in us. So, as we begin this new year, let's make it our spiritual habit to consciously offer ourselves to the LORD daily as we seek to live joyously under his lordship.

My Prayer...

Holy and Almighty LORD, I approach you as my loving Abba Father. I want to honor you. I want to ignore the temptations of the evil one. I don't want him to deceitfully lure me back into the corrupt ways of my former life before Jesus. Please empower me through your Holy Spirit and conform to Jesus* as you capture my heart with your grace. Father, I want to live each day for you, honoring Jesus' sacrifice for me and yielding to the influence of the Holy Spirit. I ask this through the intercession of the Spirit and the authority of the Son. Amen.

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* 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 3:22-23.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 21:30

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

—Proverbs 21:30

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

No matter how fresh the start nor how great the plans we have made this new year, if we do not walk with God, this coming year will not be a spiritual success. As we receive this gift of a new year, let's commit to serving the LORD. As we plan for the coming year ahead of us, let's make sure that those plans are based on the LORD's revealed will in Scripture, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and prayerful consideration of what our God wants us to accomplish as we live for him.

My Prayer...

God of the ages, my Father in heaven, thank you for being very near as I start this new year. Please bless me and reveal to me your will for each day. Bring the people into my life who will help me love you more, serve you effectively, and bless others in meaningful ways. To you be all the honor and glory in what I do, think, and say in the days ahead. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.