Thursday, April 28 2011

Theme: Life - If Only...

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Sing To The King - Billy Foote, Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin, You'll Come - Hillsongs, Before The Throne - Shane & Shane

Read: Acts 9:17-22

Think: After taking a break to enjoy some candy and a big Easter dinner, I’m thinking about giving my diet a ‘fresh start’ on Monday.  It’s tempting to say that I’m good at dieting – after all, I’ve lost hundreds of pounds over the years.  The problem, of course, is that while I may make a few adjustments to how I eat for a short time, I need to make much more fundamental changes to have a lasting impact.  The fresh start I really need isn’t just the turn of the page in my calendar, it’s a change in me.

We all need to make fresh starts in our lives.  But too often, we focus on changing our circumstances or changing our routines, and expect that these changes will bring about the life-change we seek.  As Pastor Ben reminded us, only God who can give a true fresh start.  The kind of fresh start we want to have – the kind that makes us the spouse, the parent, the student, the employee, the person that we want to be – comes from allowing God to change us. 

Stuck blind during his encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul fasted and prayed for several days.  God answered, sending a Christ-follower named Ananias to lay hands on Saul.  Saul got a real fresh start – a new name, a new Lord, and a new purpose in life. 

God is ready to give each of us that kind of fresh start, if we allow it.  Not just a change of surroundings or a change of schedule, but a change of heart.  And we don’t even have to wait until Monday.

Do: Skip a dessert or a meal today, and use the time to pray for a fresh start.

Pray: God, I want a fresh start, and not just a re-run of my failed past attempts at self-improvement.  I want you to change me.  I’m ready.  Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.