Congrats on setting a goal to dive into God's Word this year! The best part about this is that it doesn't matter where you've been and where you're coming from, but that you are here now, and striving to learn more about this Bible thing. Today's topic couldn't be more fitting for each of you here. We all have a past, and we all begin new, each and everyday. Hopefully we can all relate to the readings today, and find comfort in them. With that said, are you ready to get this new journey in the Word started?
Reading: Psalm 1:1-6
One thing you may already know about Psalms is that it is a book of poetry. However, we can learn much from the words it gives, and from the feelings of those who contributed to this book. Today, we can be encouraged in knowing that this path of striving to follow God is full of hope. And, we can definitely be reassured that following what is wicked and evil in life will lead us to what we ultimately are chasing- destruction. Depending on what we do, those things will lead us down the path we set before ourselves.
What do you want to chase after in this new year? This new week? This new day?
How will you accomplish that, according to today's reading from Psalm?
Reading: Matthew 1:1-25
This year, and the rest of our lives actually, let's focus on Jesus. The book of Matthew opens up with the genealogy of Jesus, which may seem boring and make you wonder why go into it, but as you learn more about the history and the pasts of the people in Jesus' line, you'll see that they are no different than you and me. In fact, many have quite a messed up past, but God still used them to bring about the greatest gift of all. No matter what your yesterday looks like and what things creep back into your life from your past, remember that God can still use you to do miraculous things. Joseph stuck by Mary's side when he saw that this baby was going to be a wonderful act of God.
What things from your past haunt you? How do they hinder you from starting new today?
What can we learn from the line Jesus came from? How do we remember that God has big picture plans for us in the midst of a scary past?
Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:17
We see the theme of beginnings here in the beginning of the Bible. God made all of these beautiful things around us to enjoy and to take care of. All of them He said are good. Yet when He created us, He created us in His image and said it was very good. Many times we may find ourselves depressed and feeling worthless, but this reading alone proves that God values you deeply. He put humans above all other creation and sees us higher than them. We can value ourselves because God values us highly. He gave us free will and allows us to make decisions for ourselves. Today, you face a new beginning, filled with many decisions.
How can you value yourself as God values you?
What decisions can you make today to help you grow deeper in Him and help prove how much you value yourself?
Today marks a new beginning. Whether you're checking out this plan January 1 or middle of July, you are starting new today. Everyday is a new beginning, and God gives you the choice as to what you can do with those opportunities. We all screw up and fall (as we'll read about more tomorrow), but keep starting new in Him everyday, longing for His endless mercy and love.
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