New and Different

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 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 2:12-14 NLT

Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it's by His grace through faith, we are saved. When we grasp the fullness of God's grace in our lives, there should be change. That's what happens when we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 

Heart check - Has it begun? Are we different? Are we totally committed to doing good deeds? Does the world know us by our love for one another as Jesus said in John 13:35? Or have we become complacent, stale, isolated, diluted by the cares of this life? 

Prayer:

Father,

           We pray that the only extraordinary circumstances to change our lives come from Your plan of salvation, Your grace, and the measure of faith that You have given us, according to Your Word. We want to be a new creation in You. We want to be so different that the world will see You in us and want You for themselves. Help us to walk in the fullness of Your grace. We ask for a fresh anointing to rightly divide Your Word and gain the wisdom contained in it. Change us to become more like You, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen