Fresh

January 8th – Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah 43:19

I once heard someone say, “You can come to God as you are, but you cannot remain as you are.” A new year brings with it new and fresh opportunities. But it also carries the weight of the unknown. And for some, that can feel unsettling. God is a God of change, and while change is rarely easy, it is often necessary for growth. We are always encouraged to come to Him exactly as we are, but God’s love is too great to leave us unchanged. He is continually doing a new thing in our hearts. He’s shaping us, refining us, and drawing us closer to Himself. The work God does within us isn’t always comfortable or enjoyable. And sometimes it stretches us in ways we never expected. Yet when we trust Him, we can be confident that every new thing He brings is for our good and for His purposes. For what God allows and what He changes are never random. And in time, we’ll discover that what once felt difficult was actually preparing us for something far greater than we could have imagined.

Reflection Question:
What new thing might God be doing in your life right now, and where is He inviting you to trust Him more fully in the process?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, help me trust You with the changes and unknowns ahead. Give me a willing heart to surrender what is familiar and follow where You are leading, believing that every new thing You do in my life is for my good and Your glory.

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January 1st – Lamentations 3:22-23

Lamentations 3:22-23

I can scarcely believe that we are here welcoming in 2026! The first morning of the New Year has arrived! It was welcomed with joyful celebrations as the calendar turned, making everything feel new again. As followers of Jesus, the fresh start means yesterday’s worries don’t have to follow us into today. Because God meets us here, right at the beginning, with fresh mercy. Not recycled grace or leftovers from last year, but brand new compassion poured out because He is faithful. The slate is wiped clean. And not because we earned it, but because God’s love never runs out. This morning we may wake up carrying stories, scars, and memories, of the year past, but we also carry hope. Hope that this year doesn’t have to look like the last one. Hope that God is already at work in ways we can’t yet see. This first morning reminds us that we don’t have to have it all figured out. We simply have to take the next step with Him. For His mercies greet us before the sun fully rises, steadying our hearts as we begin again. And with Him, this blank page becomes a place of promise, trust, and quiet faith for the days ahead. Happy New Year!

Reflection Question:
As you step into this new year, what is one worry, regret, or expectation from last year that you need to place into God’s hands and trust Him to renew with His mercy?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, thank You for meeting me on this first morning with fresh mercy. Help me release what is behind me and trust You with what lies ahead. Teach me to walk into this new year one step at a time, resting in Your faithfulness and grace. Amen.

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November 12th – Psalm 51:10

Psalm 51:10

The other day, I finally decided to clean out a junk drawer that had become cluttered with old receipts, tangled cords, broken pens, and things I didn’t even remember owning. It felt so good to toss out the junk and make space again. And as I stood there looking at the clean drawer, I couldn’t help but think about how our hearts can get the same way. Over time, little things pile up. Things like hurt feelings, resentment, guilt, or worry. And before we know it our hearts feel a junk drawer, cluttered and heavy. But God invites us to come to Him and let Him do some cleaning. He doesn’t shame us for the mess. He gently removes what doesn’t belong and fills the empty spaces with peace, joy, and renewal. A clean heart isn’t about perfection. It’s about letting God make room for what’s good and true. And just like that clean drawer, our hearts feel lighter, freer, and ready to hold what really matters. God specializes in heart makeovers . We just have to hand Him the mess and trust what He’ll create in its place.

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, I know there are things in my heart that need Your cleaning touch. Help me let go of what weighs me down and make space for Your peace and presence to fill me anew.

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May 7th – Lamentations 3:22-23

Lamentations 3:22-23

It’s hard for me to read the book of Lamentations without a lump in my throat. Because its pages are filled with the pain of the prophet Jeremiah. He grieves over the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. Yet even in the midst of desolation and despair, Jeremiah had a heart of gratitude for the goodness of God. Gratitude is a powerful tool in overcoming the feelings that ail us. And knowing God’s compassion and kindness towards us are renewed each morning, helped ease the prophets pain. No matter how bad the circumstances of the day, with each new sunrise comes the opportunity to start fresh. To let go of yesterday and its failures and hurts, and receive God’s grace and forgiveness. Furthermore, when we trust in His unwavering love and faithfulness, and remember God’s faithful goodness, we too will have an overwhelming gratitude that eases our pain. And hearts that look to Him for the strength and hope we need to face each day.

May 7th – Lamentations 3:22-23 Read More »