Born Anew – 1 Peter 1:23

You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. – 1 Peter 1:23 (NET)

What does the term “born anew” or “born again” mean? To be born again signifies transformation, a new beginning, and a fresh start. It is the change that happens when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are born anew from imperishable seed, which is the everlasting Word of God. It is a spiritual transformation, by faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This transformation brings eternal hope.

When we are born again, we transition from a life of sin to a life rooted in righteousness. This transformation not only alters our personal beliefs but also influences our relationships and interactions with others. The word of God is nurtured in our hearts. This spiritual rebirth leads to a profound shift in our perspective, values, and life’s purpose. As we grow in understanding of hope and love, we reflect our faith in all aspects of our lives.

Through this transformation, we develop a personal relationship with Jesus, becoming more like Him by setting aside pride, showing compassion, practicing forgiveness, and loving others.

By God’s grace through faith, we are born anew and receive eternal salvation. This profound change not only shapes our identity but also guides our actions and decisions. As we embrace this new life, we are called to share this message of hope with others, reflecting the love and grace we have received.

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace, mercy, and love. Help us to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, becoming more like Him in our thoughts and actions. Guide us to a life rooted in righteousness. As the rhododendron flowers are gathered together and bring brightness to summer days, let us come together and shine brightly with Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

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Good Work – Philippians 1:6

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

– Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

The believers in Philippi had been generous supporters of Paul, and he cared about them deeply. In Philippians 1, he gives thanks and gratitude to them for their help in spreading the Good News about Christ. He also encourages them to continue growing in their faith and to stand firm in the face of challenges.

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. – Philippians 1:3-5 (NLT)

God begins His good work in us at the time of our salvation. God then continues our spiritual growth and knowledge through the lifelong process of sanctification, leading us to become more Christ-like. We are being transformed, directed, and shaped by God to fit our purpose in this world. This transformation strengthens our faith and equips us to positively impact those around us. As we embrace this journey, we become living testimonies of God’s grace and love.

Our spiritual growth continues, finishing with a flourishing conclusion when Jesus returns. Until then, we must remain steadfast in our faith, actively seeking ways to share His love and grace with others.

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 1:6 (MSG)

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Thank you, our Heavenly Father, for Your love, mercy, and grace. Through your good works, let us continue to grow spiritually, becoming transformed and shaped to become more like Jesus. As the colorful petunias spread and grow toward the sun, let us grow in faith and spread Your love. Amen

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Holy Calling – 2 Timothy 1:9

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

– 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul is writing to Timothy. He is speaking of the powerful love of God. That through God and the sacrifice of His son Jesus, we have been redeemed, rescued from sin. We are saved by God’s grace to be His people.

We are saved by grace, the grace of God, his unmerited favor, to bring us from sin and brokenness to holiness; a holy calling. Calling us to a life dedicated to Him, not because of our works, but due to God’s grace and purpose. His purpose for us, His chosen people, was established before the beginning of time. Through Jesus, we have been redeemed, called to live lives set apart for God’s purpose, and to pursue righteousness and holiness.

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Titus 2:14 (NLT)

We are to live out the holy life God prepared for us as His holy people, responding with praise, worship, and obedience. We are His people. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be His people, serving Him and doing good works.

We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (MSG)

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Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for our salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Lead us in Your eternal purpose/holy calling to a life of holiness and righteousness. Lord, we praise and worship You for Your goodness and grace. Like the colorful oriental lily brightens summer days, let us brighten the world with Your light and love. Amen

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New Birth – Titus 3:5

4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. Titus 3:4-5 (CEV)

We are saved by God’s mercy and compassion. Salvation is a gift of grace from God to all who believe in Jesus, His son. Jesus died on the cross, paying the price for our sins. When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are given eternal life.

Salvation comes only from God; we can’t achieve it through our works or good deeds. He gives us a new life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The only condition for salvation is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. Titus 3:5 b (CEV)

When we accept Jesus Christ, our sins – are washed away —a washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Through the washing of regeneration, we are made new, a spiritual cleaning, a new birth, born again. Anyone who belongs to Jesus Christ is a new person; the old life is gone.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

The washing of our sins is an internal cleansing of the soul by the Holy Spirit. Resulting in a new birth in Jesus Christ, bringing a new life and living hope.

3-8 It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, easy marks for sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3-5 (MSG)

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Our Holy Loving Father, we are in awe of Your goodness, love, and grace. You love us so much that You gave your one and only Son, so whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. We are saved by Your mercy and grace, giving us hope and a new birth. Like water washes the iris flowers, let us believe in Jesus, be washed by the Holy Spirit, and be reborn. Amen

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Christ Lives in Me – Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

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What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? It means Christ paid for our sins; they were crucified with Him on the cross. When we believe in Christ, we become a new creation; our old sinful life is dead and gone, replaced with faith, faith in Christ, our Savior. Christ lives in us.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

We trust in His plans for us; we strive to grow like Christ, and our thoughts and actions are transformed.
Instead of living in selfishness and worldly passions, we change priorities and behaviors, surrender control, and strive to live in a way that pleases God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 34:16 (NIV)

Why did Jesus die for us? He died on the cross for us because He loves us.

Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Galatians 2:20 (MSG)

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Lord Jesus, you are our hope and salvation. We thank You for Your grace and love toward us, dying for our sins, and for living in us. Guide us on Your path, and teach us to follow You. Like the Magnolia tree has beautiful purple flowers in the spring, its blossoms opening in the sunlight; let us grow in faith and flower in Your light and love. Amen

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Pursue Peace – Hebrews 12:14

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 (NET)

Pursuing peace with everyone is a common theme in the New Testament. To pursue is not passive; it means eagerly seeking, actively, and diligently seeking peace.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18 (NET)

Bitterness causes strife where pursuing a peaceful lifestyle encourages working together and building up one another.

19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:19 (ESV)

Working to get along with and help others demonstrates that we are disciples of Christ, growing in holiness and spiritual maturity. We, as Christians, pursue peace, and abide in Jesus, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

14-17 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. – Hebrews 12:14-17 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Holy Father, help us to pursue peace. Guide our path helping us to get along with others and be tolerant of different points of view. Teach us to study Your Word and grow in faith. Like the Ranunculus flowers open and bloom in the spring, let us open our hearts to You and bloom with love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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New Self- Ephesians 4:24

22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. 23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (GNT)

Paul asks believers to discard their sinful nature (their old self) and embrace an entirely new way of life, being transformed, renewed in righteousness, and changed into a new self.

22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

Ephesians 4:22 (NLT)

This new self is transformed by the Holy Spirit’s renewing our thoughts, attitudes, hearts, and minds.

23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes

-Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

When you open your heart to Jesus, your life is transformed and renewed from within.

21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,

-Ephesians 4:21 (NLT)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We need to transform our lives to be like Jesus and live a life that is upright and holy.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

– John 14:6 (NIV)

We were created to be like God; we need to cast off our old way of life and be renewed by the Spirit and transformed by Jesus into a new self.

20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to cast off our old ways of life and embrace a new self that is upright and holy. Let us learn from the Holy Spirit and transform our hearts and minds. Teach us to cast off our sinful ways and grow to be like Jesus. Like the glowing white pansy, let us glow with Your light and wash us white as snow into a new self. Amen

Before the Sun Goes Down – Ephesian 4:26

26“In your anger do not sin” d Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesian 4: 25-27 (NIV)

In some versions of the bible, Ephesians 4:17-31 is subtitled, living as Children of Light, in others, a New Life in Christ. As Christians, we are called upon to put away bitterness, malice, and unforgiveness and not dwell on anger or let it sit unresolved. Uncontrolled anger can lead to revenge and sin.

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”d Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. – Ephesian 4: 25-27 (NLT)

We are to act more Chirst-like and not let anger control us. Anger is not an excuse to sin; it should be dealt with quickly in God-honored ways. We should be merciful and forgive others.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

The Holy Spirits work within us, turning us away from our sinful actions and helping us develop the fruit of self-control.

Paul says don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. In other words, deal with anger; make that a priority, and don’t go to bed angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. – Ephesians 4:26-27 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Teach us to forgive others as you have forgiven us. Guide us in Your truth, Your light, and Your love. Teach us to deal with anger quickly before the sun goes down. Like the lovely smell of lavender fills the air, let us be filled with love and forgiveness and fill the air with praise. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Light of Mankind – John 1:4

In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. John 1:4 (NET)

In verse 4, John states, in (Jesus) was life, spiritual life. When you believe in Jesus, you have the gift of eternal life. You have life, a new life in Jesus Christ.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET)

In John 1:1, John explains that Jesus is one with God; He is fully God. He is the source of life.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2The Word was with God in the beginning. 3All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. John 1:1-4 (NET)

John also refers to Jesus as “The Light.” Jesus is the light of the world, the light of truth, and the giver of eternal life.

Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 (NET)

Jesus is pure light; in Him, there is no darkness. He is our light, saving us from darkness and illuminating our path.

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are thankful for your love, grace, and mercy toward us. When we were sinners, You died for our salvation, bringing new life and light into our lives. Like the dogwood flower-like bracts glow and reflect the sun, let us glow with love and reflect Your light. Amen

Live by the Spirit – Romans 8:9

You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Romans 8:9 (BSB)

God gives his Holy Spirit to every believer. Christians have the spirit of God inside them; they are guided and led by the Holy Spirit. In other words, Christians are controlled and influenced by the Holy Spirit rather than flesh. People controlled by the flesh are self-serving, following the influence of corrupt desires.

In Christians, the Holy Spirit indwells, teaching us to become more Christ-like in our actions. Guiding and directing us, encouraging us to bear fruit. With the Holy Spirit, we grow in grace and produce fruit, fruits of love, joy, peace, goodness, and gentleness.

¹⁹The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-25 (NIV)

People who live by the flesh are self-reliant, led by sexual immorality, impurity, hatred, discord, and jealousy, instead of by Christ. Christians live by the Holy Spirit’s guidance, sanctifying and teaching us to be more Jesus-like. As children of God, we need to be spiritually minded Christians.

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your son, Jesus. Who died for our sins. Teach us to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction so we can grow in grace and produce fruit. As the chrysanthemums glow with sunlight, let us glow and bear fruit in Jesus’ light. Amen.

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