Thursday January 5, 2023

Today is Thursday, January 5 and we are exploring what the Bible says about new beginnings.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, in the peace of these morning moments, I long to experience your presence. Come Holy Spirit, reveal the new things you want for me in this new year. Enable me to hear the message you have for me in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

In the morning I praise the Lord with a new song utilizing the ancient words of Psalm 40.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Psalm 40:1-3a

Pause and Pray

The book of Ephesians outlines the process of Christian maturity and teaches me how to make progress toward the goal of Christian living. I am taught how to live my daily life in a way that is pleasing to God. Taking off old clothes and putting on new clothes is a biblical metaphor for a new beginning in the life of faith. In the ancient baptismal rite, the newly baptized were given new garments to wear. The ritual symbolizes putting away the old lifestyle like filthy, worn out clothes and embracing the new nature in God. It is a fresh start and a new beginning. As a new year commences, God invites me to begin again. I am to put away the old and have God clothe me with new spiritual clothing – righteousness and holiness.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

As I begin the new year of 2023, I open a calendar of empty days waiting to be filled. I reflect on today’s scripture passage from Ephesians and consider how it informs the upcoming year. I am taught a way of life in Christ. I learn about Jesus, read the Bible and understand the way of holiness. Yet my old self, corrupt and deceitful with worldly desires emerges on occasion. The bible says I am to put off my old self as I would take off old clothes. I recall times I have worn dirty clothes – perhaps I spent time exercising, gardening or cleaning the garage. I took off those filthy, soiled, old clothes and put on something clean and new. In the same way, I take off the negative parts of myself and put on the new self-created to be like God in true righteousness. I put on holiness like a garment and rely on the Holy Spirit to enable me to keep it clean.

Ask: What attitudes, habits, behaviors or vices do I need to take off this year? What attitudes, habits, behaviors or virtues should I put on this year?

Pause and Pray

Loving and gracious God, thank you for teaching me how to live a life that is pleasing to you. Forgive me when I continue to fall short and succumb to corrupt thoughts, negative attitudes and deceitful desires. Renew my mind and cleanse my heart. Show me how to put off my old self and leave it in the past. Enable me to put on my new self-created to be like you in righteousness and holiness. I read Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I study today’s passage, I ask God to reveal how I am to live my life. I embrace the truth found in Jesus and the way of life I learn from scripture. I ask God to examine me thoroughly and reveal every part of my life that is not pleasing to him. I name these before God and imagine them as part of a garment I once found attractive but now realize is soiled with grime. What would it look like for me to put off these old things? I examine how my thoughts and attitudes reflect the mind of Christ. What would it look like to put on a new self? I need to take some things off in order to progress on this spiritual journey with the Lord.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank you for the opportunity to progress spiritually and move toward Christian maturity. Show me what I need to do to grow in holiness. Grant me the power of your Holy Spirit to renounce sin in my life and live more like Jesus. Teach me your ways and lead me on the path of righteousness. Show me what to take off and leave behind as I enter a new year and show me what to put on and carry with me. Amen.

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

As I leave this time of prayer, I go into a new year leaving some past things behind and carrying some new things into my future with God.

Amen