Tuesday, January 9, 2024
January kicks off the New Year, bringing with it highly anticipated New Year’s resolutions and promises of change. These resolutions can range from simple changes—going to the gym or having less screen time—to more difficult challenges, like breaking addictions or diligently following God’s will for your life.
Changing anything about your life is difficult, but it is impossible without God’s divine providence and direction. None of us intentionally set out to do what is wrong—we want to do what is right for our lives and for the lives of those around us. We all have changes we want to make to better ourselves or circumstances.
If you ask God for true, lasting change, you will not be denied that change-if it is in his will. God does not wish for any of us to fail while walking in his Word—he will guide us step-by-step on this journey with him. When following his will, he will uphold us and allow us to experience positive, lasting change in our lives.
Romans 7:21-23
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
Although the flesh leads us astray, God never will. When we focus on God rather than idolizing the change we want to make, that is when true, lasting transformation occurs. As the Apostle Paul stated, we can love God’s law and wholeheartedly commit to changing for the better;. However, there will always be a distraction or a negative thought that crosses our minds.
The Apostle Paul writes, “when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” He recognizes that sin and wrongdoing are inevitable parts of human nature. Since our world is riddled with sin, we will experience temptation, set backs, and other obstacles. But we can rest knowing that when we commit our lives to God and ask for his help, he will lead us down the right path and create meaningful, everlasting changes in each of our lives.
Questions:
What positive change are you trying to make in your life?
Why do you think it’s so hard to make changes by ourselves?
Next Steps:
Write down one positive change that you want to make this week. Each day, pray over it and ask for God to help you make the change according to his will.
Join a Group in the Winter Semester to connect with likeminded Jesus-followers to encourage you on your journey to follow God’s will.
21 Days of Prayer Day 2—Love
Today’s Prayer Focus: For my Love for God and Others to Grow (Matthew 22:36-39)
Prayer:
Dear God, you said that the greatest commandment to follow is to love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. As I connect with you over these 21 Days of Prayer, grow my trust in you so that I will love you more. Then, as my love grows for you, help me to love those around me more and more each day. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
2 Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
This post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.