alone (even though you might feel like it)! In fact, it’s an experience that’s common to every person ever born. But when we fail, we have a choice. Will we accept it and live there, or will we get up, move on, and make things right? Read Psalm 139: 23-24 and ask the Lord to show the places in your life where you might need a fresh start.
TUESDAY To become a child of God, we have to first be willing to admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. We have to understand that, no matter how hard we try, we can’t fix things on our own. Only the blood of Jesus has the power to forgive our sin and make us “clean” in God’s sight. Have you taken this important first step? Have you accepted God’s gift and given your heart to Jesus Christ, or are you still in the driver’s seat? Read Romans 10:9-10. If you haven’t taken this important step, consider trusting Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins today. It’s the most important “fresh start” you can ever make!
WEDNESDAY As we all well know, just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you’ll no longer make bad choices, or even huge mistakes. After all, Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven! The question is, when we do mess up, are we willing to actually admit it, or do we try to overlook it and expect others to do the same? Until we admit that we have a problem (to ourselves, God, and those we may have hurt or offended), we won’t be ready or willing to make a change. Is there a “mistake” (sin) you need to admit (and confess) to God and possibly another person today? Read Psalm 41:4 and James 5:16.
THURSDAY Is there a certain behavior that always seems to trip you up? Lying, cheating, stealing, disrespect to parents or teachers, gossip, self-centeredness,
mistreating someone, etc.? All of these are areas where many of us fail on a
regular basis. We could easily just accept them as “character flaws” that we
can’t really do anything about (you’re only human, right?), or we can recognize
them as things that displease God and that He wants to help us change. You can
change! You just have to ask God for His help and be willing to work at it. Read
Philippians 1:6.
FRIDAY The word “confess” literally means “to say the same thing,” to call your sin like God does, a serious “wrong” that separates you from God and keeps you from being all He wants you to be. By dying on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for our sin on Himself. So while we may have to deal with the temporary earthly consequences of our bad choices, we know our future is secure. We are saved from separation from God and eternity in hell. What an awesome gift! Read I John 2:1-6.
SATURDAY Yes, we all make mistakes. That’s the bad news. But the good news, according to I John 1:9, is that if we confess our sin, God promises to forgive us. He no longer holds our sin against us! We can start fresh. Are you willing to extend this same kind of grace to others when they’ve wronged you? Are you willing to give your relationships a second (or third, etc.) chance, a fresh start? Remember the “Golden Rule”? Read Matthew 7:12 for a little refresher. Who can you forgive (maybe if they haven’t even asked yet) today?