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Kelly usually loved the prospect of a new opportunity. It made her anticipate a fresh start. Right now she was thankful circumstances in her life were changing. She needed a new beginning. As she looked in the mirror she was reminded of some of her choices and the consequences they had brought into her life. She had regrets. Yes, a clean start would feel good. She would make some good changes.
Yet she knew herself all too well. Fear nibbled at the edge of her heart and mind as she hoped she had the courage to make the changes she needed to.
God knew the desire of her heart to change. He used a Bible verse that was in a greeting card to remind her how to make a lasting change.The words flew off the card and went straight to her heart… “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
With sudden clarity Kelly knew she would not succeed in her hoped for change of lifestyle. No, in herself she would simply circle back to where she had been. She didn’t want to go there. She realized it was only God who could create the clean heart in her and give her the right attitude. Silently she prayed as she set the card among the others.
Asking God to forgive her stubborn independence, she asked for His help to create in her the kind of change that she needed. Only with His help could she make the turn and go the other way in her life.
God is the only true source of help when we need a clean slate. Turning to Him, asking His forgiveness and turning away from the destructive behavior is the only way to true freedom. His strength, given to us on a daily basis, is more powerful than any resolution we can determine in our own heart. He will do it; we need only ask and depend on Him to act.
Father God, thank you for Your desire for me to make a clean start. Thank you for your forgiveness for my stubborn independence. Please forgive me and create a clean heart in me. Give me daily strength to make the right choices. Renew the attitude of my mind with new thoughts and desires that will help lift me above the pull of wrong choices. Help me to follow Your pathway. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can walk in a way that pleases You and in turn, refreshes me. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.
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I have learned the hard way that only God can give you a fresh start and you have to give it to him in order to start. I have recently been shown this (even more clearer today). I am in the process of filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy. I dont want to Circle back to my old spending habits. I have given them to the Lord for help in guiding me to make the necessary decisions that are pleasing to him. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the Lord I truly believe I will be able to win this battle.
I don’t feel like we need to be changing our lifestyle drastically like Kelly…we can pray this prayer and live by this verse every day of our lives.
Sometimes we have to Hit Rock bottom in order to clearly see what changes we need to make in our lives in order to get back to Jesus.
This is so right on for what I am currently facing. I feel exactly like the woman in this devotional. I know that I know that I know that I need to change, and I have been asking God for such a long time to help me, and it is happening. I believe that because I didn’t get like this overnight, it will take almost just as long or longer to undo it… I know in my heart when I do something or say something or even think it, that I should not and about face… and then sometimes I don’t about face, I ignore it, and then thats when we get off track, and thats when it gets harder, it’s like a left handed person trying to write with their right hand, it takes awhile to actually be able to write with the right hand, just is so on our new behaviors, especially when they are led by Our Lord and Savior, to be like Jesus isn’t something that is easy, He is irreplacable and no one is like Him, and I know I cannot fill His shoes, and I wouldn’t want to but knowing this gives me comfort because I know He knows what I’m going through and as long as I look to Him I know I have the victory!
Praise Jesus and thank you for this devotional.
When i needed to make a change from the destructive ways of alcohol consumption, i thought i would lose my mind. i knew i couldn’t do it by myself. Through a series of unplanned circumstances, starting with having the television on a channel i never watched, the LORD GOD led me to a Christian center where i was nourished back to health. i had so given up on my life with all it’s disappointments and the Grace of God healed me. That was over 2 years ago. i didn’t think i could live without the crutch of alcohol yet the LORD gave me the strength to do it. i still have many disappointments in my life yet i don’t have to pick up a drink. i release it into the hands of a living God. More and more i keep turning to HIM, relying on HIM, look to HIM and know somehow, someway, HE will do with me what HE will. Am i happy all the time? NO yet i am sober and able to do the things i need to do to exist here on this earth. i’ve surrendered and now have so much more peace. HE’ll get me TO the changes and THROUGH the changes because HE loves me. Keep hoping…keep believing!
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Thanks for the devotional Gail. There is no way that God can work in me or you until we repent and turn the other way and depend on Him. Like Francine has said it is a “journey”…we slip up, ask God for forgiveness and help and move forward with His grace. This is the Christian journey for us. We are not perfect. But I thank God that He is perfect and wants to pour out His grace on us. Trisha bless you for recognizing that you couldn’t go on this journey without God. Praise the Lord for the changes He has made in you dear sister. Love to you all in Christ Jesus. Donna
Thank you for these short prayers that we can pray throughout the day or in the middle of the day, sort of like little ‘nuggets’ & reminders of how we should think. It’s definitely important.
I have suddenly looked in the mirror and saw my mothers face and attitude, a very judgmental one. I am learning through the strength of Jesus not to judge others but to show them kindness even when they do not return it. Thank you Jesus!
Wow! Psalm 51:10 is one of my most favorite scriptures and God has really blessed me because I keep it close to me. I say it daily and twice on communion Sunday!=-) I love the Lord God and have had experiences where I believe that i have changed and come to find out that know it is still the same, because it has been me trying to do the changing and not allowing God to show me the right way to really remove things out of my soulish behaviors and attitudes. I really can say that all things work together for the good to them that love God and who are the called according to His purpose because if I had not allowed myself to let go and let God I would not be here today and there has been some great doosies that most people would loose their minds but God said NO and showed me how to do it and allow Him to take total control not just part. Thank God for Jesus, His Word, and The Holy Spirit!
Wow angie, I have experienced this same exact thing recently. I thought I was the only one in this world who felt this. It is nice to know there are others who experience things similar to what you are, if that makes any sense. Thanks for posting.
Angie: That is exactly what I have just recently experienced. It is so nice to know that there are others out there who go through similar things, if that makes any sense. Thanks for posting.
You actually need change and it can take decades to some to terms with this! ;0)
expecting things to be simple, that will never happen accept and go with it you can stop it even if you could you wouldnt want to. just think of the goal and is it WORTH the chase…? Remember to ask yourself. If you cant say yes thats a NO!
god loves us all and through him we can come to terms with life. only his direction ask and you will be shown the way..