The River
Day 19 - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Reflection
Some people find Jesus later in life, and they have this big moment where they give their life to Christ, and everything changes. This was not my experience.
I was raised in the church and was blessed to be surrounded by strong believers. Although I always loved God, knew what was expected of me, prayed, and thought of myself as a Christian ... It wasn’t until my 30s that I began to pursue a deeper relationship with Him.
Things shifted when I decided to make Him a priority in my life and dedicated time to Him like I would a loved one. I felt a sense of emptiness on the days that I didn’t sit with Him. I got to know Him on a more personal level. I started to recognize His voice once I became familiar with His character.
I started to feel uncomfortable in ungodly situations and heard that still small voice urging me to remove myself. I suddenly wanted to worship Him and honor Him in the midst of temptations that I once felt justified in.
This is the first time in my walk with Christ that I felt like a new life had begun. So if you want to have that life-changing encounter with Jesus, dive deep into your personal relationship with the Father. Make Him the Lord of your life, not just your Sunday mornings, and He will make you new.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your patience. You never stop pursuing me. I am so thankful for our relationship and how You always find a way to speak to me. You are the Good Shepherd, and You rejoice when Your lost sheep are found. Please forgive me when I wander too far, and I ask that You continue to call me back home. Please remove anything in my life that causes me to pull away from You, Lord. Protect me from the enemy and lead me back to You. I ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
Are you still waiting for that life-changing encounter with Christ?
Would you recognize His voice if He spoke to you right now? If not, I would encourage you to spend time in the Word until you are more familiar with His character.
What areas of your life still look like remnants of your old life?
How could you choose to honor Him in ungodly situations?
Thank You!
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New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.