God Thought 8/12/26
Upper Room Devotional
Leaving The Familiar
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-24
You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted be its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds.
-Ephesians 4:22-23
Before following Jesus, Peter was a fisherman; his whole life revolved around catching a fish. That changed when Jesus gave him a new identity as a "fisher of men." Yet, after three years of following Jesus- hearing his teachings, witnessing his crucifixion, and even seeing him resurrected- Peter was still unsure of his next steps. So Peter decided to return to what was familiar, saying, "I'm going out to fish" (Jn. 21:3).
Often when we feel confused or stuck, we retreat to what we know. Like Peter, when faced with certainty, we return to familiar waters, falling back into old habits or revisiting the places we previously frequented.
But rather than returning to the familiar, Jesus calls us to embark on new journeys, following the path he set before us. Ephesians 4:22 says to "put off your old self." We are called to move beyond who we were before and live with purpose for the kingdom of God.
Prayer: Faithful God, meet us in our weakness, for your grace makes us whole. Strengthen us against temptations and our old ways that still beckon us. In Jesus' name. Amen
Prayer: Faithful God, meet us in our weakness, for your grace makes us whole. Strengthen us against temptations and our old ways that still beckon us. In Jesus' name. Amen
You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted be its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds.
-Ephesians 4:22-23
Before following Jesus, Peter was a fisherman; his whole life revolved around catching a fish. That changed when Jesus gave him a new identity as a "fisher of men." Yet, after three years of following Jesus- hearing his teachings, witnessing his crucifixion, and even seeing him resurrected- Peter was still unsure of his next steps. So Peter decided to return to what was familiar, saying, "I'm going out to fish" (Jn. 21:3).
Often when we feel confused or stuck, we retreat to what we know. Like Peter, when faced with certainty, we return to familiar waters, falling back into old habits or revisiting the places we previously frequented.
But rather than returning to the familiar, Jesus calls us to embark on new journeys, following the path he set before us. Ephesians 4:22 says to "put off your old self." We are called to move beyond who we were before and live with purpose for the kingdom of God.
Prayer: Faithful God, meet us in our weakness, for your grace makes us whole. Strengthen us against temptations and our old ways that still beckon us. In Jesus' name. Amen
Prayer: Faithful God, meet us in our weakness, for your grace makes us whole. Strengthen us against temptations and our old ways that still beckon us. In Jesus' name. Amen
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