Today’s devotion, taken from the Just For Today devotional, talks about change in our behavior. The Scripture text is taken from Ephesians 4:24 which says, “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.”
We are to change once we become Believers, not only in action, but also in word, and thoughts. The idea of putting on the new self is like changing clothes, according to the devotional. I got to thinking about that. Our lives are to be a sweet smelling fragrance to those around us, a reflection of Christ’s impact on our lives, the change He has brought about in us. If we act, speak, and think the same way as before we were saved, it’s like wearing old, dirty clothes under our new, clean clothes. The smell of dirty clothes is still on us, permeating through the clean clothes. We have to take off the old clothes (the old life or self) and put on the new clothes (the new life or self).
If you read through the rest of the chapter, Paul goes on point out what that life is to look like. We are to lay aside lying and speak truth to one another. We are not to be angry to the point of sinning. In fact, he says not to let the sun go down on your anger. Those who steal are not to steal anymore, but work. Our speech is to be wholesome, and building up others. In fact, to continue in our old ways gives satan a foothold, an opportunity to wreak havoc in our lives.
God has been talking to me the last week or so about changing how I think, which also comes out in how I act and speak. I have to be consciously aware of changing my thoughts, actions, and speech! I have to stop my old way of thinking and make a conscious decision to think differently! For me, that is a hard thing to do. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks….well, it can be done, it just may take longer. With God’s help, “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength”!
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Donna Knuth Rice
I am trying a blog for the first time in my life, and frankly, I feel like I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing! But, here goes.
I work at a Christian Television network in the Correspondence Department, where I write letters and emails to our viewers, pray with them for their needs, and send materials they request.
I am a Christian. I was saved at the age of 11 during a youth meeting at my church. My pastor led me to the Lord, and to say the least, my life has been an adventure.
I am a widow. My late husband, Allen, passed away after 34 1/2 years of marriage. He had been sick the last seven years of his life, and it was a struggle, for him and for me.
We met as part of a singing group that was affiliated with a Christian Radio station, and we sang together all through our lives together. We both worked in television and radio all through our married life, mostly for Christian stations.
Besides singing I also play flute. I had the luxury of having parents who started out as music teachers...so music was in our house constantly.
Some people describe me as being a loud-mouthed lime type...can't disagree with that. I have a tendency to put my foot in my mouth more times than I can count! I also have a tendency to say exactly what's on my mind...which is why I get myself in so much trouble! LOL! Trust me, that's something me and God have been working on for a very long time.
I have no children here on earth, although I have a baby in heaven. My baby here is my dog Jack. He's a black lab/ chow mix. He's a big boy....thinks he's a lap dog!
Can't think of much else to say. The reason I started this blog is because a few months ago in church, a guest pastor came and delivered a message, and when he asked for those of us who wanted prayer to come forward, I did. When he came to me he asked me if I did any journaling. I told him no 'cause I wasn't very good at it. He told me to start, and prophesied over me that my journal thoughts would impact other people. I wasn't sure just how I was to go about doing this. In fact, I was a little hesitant at first. I started journaling at home, and our assistant pastor's wife asked me to submit something for our Senior newsletter. I didn't the first edition, but something I had heard on Christian radio a long time ago and has stuck with me all these years, came to mind so I submitted an article. That article will be my first post.
I don't claim to have all the answers, and my thoughts may seem a little "out there", but I feel God has been prodding me to do this, and so here I am.
I hope what I post will bring encouragement, and "Something to Think About".
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