Trading Old for New

Heavenly Father I praise You for today. I praise You for the drive to work safely, for the rest I was able to get, and for the time I had at church and then with my wife. I praise You for the safe travels for my children making it home.

Holy Spirit Your word tells me: “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.” [2 Corinthians 5:17-19] I realize that when I accepted salvation, I became a new creature before God. I also realize that consequences for the sins I had committed still affected me here but as far as eternity was concerned, I had a clean slate. Because of God’s grace and mercy, I have tried to live my life completely sacrificing my rights and control and allowing Your Spirit to dwell in me, guide me, and speak through me. I daily try to renew my mind so that I can daily walk in Your Spirit avoiding sin and trying to live as peaceably as I can with others. I stumble at times and must go back to God to reconcile our relationship. I have tried to speak reconciliation into others' lives, knowing that only the Holy Spirit can move their heart to the point of accepting Christ, but I must be an example of God’s forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Let me continually offer the sacrifice of praise to You, oh God, that is, the fruit of my lips, giving thanks to Your name. Help me not to forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices You are well pleased. I will do my best to obey those who rule over me and be submissive for they watch out for my soul, and they will give account for how they lead. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for me. For I am confident that I have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I am especially urged to do this. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make me complete in every good work to do His will, working in me what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:14-21)