Today’s a new day! Many storms in my life have tried to break me, but all they did was correct my vision. ~OC
Dear Jesus
Today’s a new day! Dear Jesus, I’m writing this letter to you
Cause’ I’m thankful for your love
Thankful for your grace
I’m sitting here
Leaning into your promises
Simply thankful for your forgiveness
Thankful for the purpose you’ve given my life
I never want to be the person I used to be
Thanks for guiding my life and showing me the Way
Thanks for meeting my needs
Thanks for showing me who I am in You
When I was at the end of the road, you took my hand and pulled me out of the darkness
Thanks for Your strength in my time of weakness
Thanks for always believing in me
As I reflect back, I thank you for conducting this symphony called life
You have gifted me
The road has not been easy, but You have never missed a beat
Thanks for showing me the Way
Thanks for Your amazing grace
Keep letting me run the race ~OC
The Cross
Today’s a new day! What Jesus accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection is central to everything in our faith journey. The death and resurrection of Jesus is not only central to scripture and the Gospel, but is also central to learning (maybe for the first time) what God is like, and how we are supposed to live our lives as followers of Jesus. Keep leaning into the promises of Jesus. ~OC
Total Freedom
Today’s a new day! There is complete and total freedom in Jesus. We will never experience true freedom in our finances or social status. No, true freedom and joy comes from surrendering our entire lives to Jesus.
We will still have aching questions and burning disappointments that we will bring to God. We still do not understand all the mysteries of life. Our future is still full of questions and imperfections.
But that doesn’t have to hold us back from continuing to lean into the promises of Jesus. When we have faith that He is working, even now, we are filled with peace. It’s out of our hands and it’s in the hands that were pierced for each of us. In the midst of the storms of life, our Jesus continues to work. He is focused on our now and walking with us through the storms. Do not miss the lessons He has for you in the valley moments. Jesus is focused on the big picture. The results are going to be glorious. Keep leaning in. ~OC
Overcoming
Today’s a new day! Whatever has power over you is becoming powerless. Chains are being broken. Strongholds released. God is freeing you, so you can experience His peace, love, healing and purpose in every area of your your life. ~OC
A Limp
Today’s a new day! We need to stop walking with a prideful strut. We need to stop being smug and selfish. We need to stop making life about us. We need to stop being a “Me Society.” We need to put the focus back on Jesus. He is the only one who needs to be famous. We need the Holy Spirit to subdue our fleshly pride. We need to walk with a limp of total dependency on God. ~OC
Bottom Line
Today’s a new day! We all need the love, forgiveness and grace of God because:
We fail,
We lie,
We hide things,
We get mad,
We gossip,
We’re impatient,
We’re not thankful,
We’re selfish,
We feel entitled,
We’re unloving,
We hold grudges
We refuse to forgive,
We’re greedy,
We think other peoples sin is worse than ours,
Bottom line: We all need love, forgiveness and grace. ~OC
Take Action
Today’s a new day! This morning I woke up to news of another mass shooting in America. More innocent bloodshed. Of course, our elected officials shared their thoughts and prayers for the victims. But that’s not enough anymore. Where is the action behind those thoughts and prayers? If we truly want to see real change, we must look at reforming our current gun laws and putting more money towards mental health care. We must take action.
My faith has always taught me that we are the hands and feet of Jesus. In James 2:26 scripture shares “Faith without works is dead.” I am not dismissing the power of prayer. We must always pray. But I just know that there are times when we are waiting on God to act, and God is actually waiting on us to take action. When we get frustrated and cry out to God “Why don’t you do something?”, if we stop and listen closely, we might hear God softly whispering to us, “I did do something. I created you.”
But that doesn’t take anything away from the power of prayer. You know what I did this morning when I heard the news of another mass shooting in America? I prayed for the victims and community. I prayed for smarter gun laws. I prayed our elected leaders would do more than just offer their thoughts and prayers. It’s past time to take real action. ~OC
End Racism
Today’s a new day! God is calling each of us to actively engage in the work of racial justice by eradicating racism, white nationalism and working towards racial reconciliation. There is no room for racism in our world. Will you take a stand? ~OC
What does the Lord require of you but to do Justice. ~ Micah 6:8
The Old Is Made New
Today’s a new day! God has already set us free from our past. Today our identity is no longer connected to our past mistakes. Now our identity is connected to what God has done for us. You are now washed, set apart and made right. The old is made new. Walk in that truth. Live out that freedom. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 