Verses:
Lamentations 3:22-23 says “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Isaiah 65:17 says “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
Ezekial 36:26 says “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Whoever belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Devo:
I find it hard to believe that it’s already July. July! Halfway through the year! There’s something I love about a new month. It’s kind of like a mini fresh start, a new page, another beginning.
Throughout the Bible we often hear about people getting new hearts, new spirits, and new identities. I love in Corinthians where we hear that we are a completely new person in Christ. That old junk we have? Gone! That old life? Passed away! What forgiveness that is. What belief in us, as mere humans. What a chance at a fresh start!
Even though I made the decision to love Jesus years ago, sometimes I need the reminder that I can still come to Him and ask for a fresh start. I can still confess my sins, I can still repent, I can still decide to live a little bit more for Him. God doesn’t say “oops, missed your window!” or “too late!” He says “come to Me as you are and I will greet you with open arms.”
As we passed the halfway mark of this year and yet another month came to a close, I found myself needing just a little extra reminder of God’s promises, of His love, and of His acceptance. I am flawed, but I am worthy. I often fall short of my own expectations, but not of God’s. I stumble and succumb to this world, but still I am loved.
Sometimes I struggle with giving myself a break. Sometimes I hold my officer to unrealistic expectations-or just don’t let my expectations be known. And still, I am cherished as a child of God. If you also need a little bit of a fresh start this month, and a reminder that you are doing the best that you can-please hear me say, GO YOU! Hear me cheering you on. Being a police wife is hard work, and loving a police officer is hard work. Managing life, and a family, and responsibilities, and finances, is hard work. Give yourself the grace that God does, friend, and fall into His arms this July.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for giving me so many chances, so many fresh starts. As time passes and we enter another month, I ask that You remind me of Your promises. I have become a new person in You. Help me live as You want me to, to love my officer as You want me to, to follow Your plans as You want me to.
