Today's Verse - Ephesians 4:24

...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

—Ephesians 4:24

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). Yesterday, we offered ourselves to God to be made new in our ways of thinking and serving. One of the most significant decisions we face at the beginning of each day is what we will wear. Well, no matter what we choose for our physical clothing, let's make sure we choose to put on the new person God re-made us to be, clothed with Christ as our new self (Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27), someone committed to live for God "in true righteousness and holiness." Only the "garments of salvation" and the "robe of God's righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10) will fit us eternally!

My Prayer...

Dear Father, may people see the character and likeness of Jesus in me today. LORD Jesus, in your name, I ask you, please, to guide my decisions and help me know how you would have me act in today's situations. Precious and powerful Holy Spirit, please fill me and continue your work in transforming me as I seek to clothe myself with Christ, cherishing the garment of your salvation as Jesus clothes me in the robe of his righteousness. 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 4:23

...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.