The Only Way to Get a Fresh Start
By Rick Warren
"In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth." Ephesians 5:8-9 (NCV)
Several years ago, New York City officials built a water disinfection facility using ultraviolet light to destroy germs and disinfect the city’s drinking water, which is funneled in from about 100 miles away. Instead of using chlorine, the system uses the sun's power to disinfect and sanitize water using light rays. They disinfect over 1 billion gallons of water every day.
Light is a great disinfectant. It cleanses, sanitizes, and purifies.
The light of God works in a similar way in your life. Harmful words, thoughts, and actions make you spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically sick. When you confess your sins to God, his forgiveness sanitizes, purifies, and cleanses you.
The Bible says it like this: "If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:6-7 NIV).
So many people today are going through dark days because they're carrying a load of guilt, shame, and regret. They may look successful on the outside, but inside they're tormented by their secrets.
Is there a way to wipe the slate clean? Is there a way to get a fresh start? Yes, it's called being born again. That doesn't mean you turn over a new leaf and try harder. It means you get a brand-new life, where everything is forgiven. Everything is cleansed by the light of Christ, and the darkness of regret and shame is lifted.
Ephesians 5:8-9 describes what it means to be completely cleansed and forgiven of your sin and born again: "In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth" (NCV).
What secret regret, guilt, or shame in your life needs to be cleansed and disinfected? Just expose it to the light of Christ. Then you can move forward, full of hope in Jesus, the Light of the World.
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Point Little Lives to God’s Big Plans for Them!
Help the children in your life understand God’s Word and discover his incredible plans for their life with Pastor Rick’s God’s Big Plans for Me Storybook Bible.
This 223-page hardcover book includes 40 beloved Bible stories to help kids get excited about God’s love, truth, and purpose for his children. A great gift for your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or even the kids in your neighborhood, each Bible story includes . . .
• An introduction just for kids from Pastor Rick
• A closing thought to help kids apply what they learn
• Beautifully illustrated pages kids will love
God’s Big Plans for Me comes as our special thanks for your gift today to help reach more people around the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. And if you’re able to make your gift monthly, we’ll also send you an exclusive Partner in Hope welcome gift!
Thank you for your generosity today. And we pray you’re empowered to introduce the little ones in your life to God’s BIG, wonderful plans for them!
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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