1.9.2023 Devotion

The devotion is about starting a new life by acknowledging Jesus as our higher power and being loved and accepted. It emphasizes the importance of learning new behaviors and attitudes to experience the fullness of this new life. It also discusses the need to care for ourselves as well as others, rather than sacrificing our own well-being. The questions at the end prompt reflection on situations where we have prioritized others at our own expense and the difficulties in practicing self-care. The prayer asks for help in recognizing our worth and God's unconditional love. This is today's devotion from Monday, January 9th, 2023. Today's devotion is titled, I'm Experiencing a New Life. The scripture comes from 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17. Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun. When we acknowledge Jesus as our higher power, we start a new life, one characterized by being loved and accepted instead of being shamed or condemned. But the fullness of this life doesn't come to us automatically. Notice that Paul says, a new life has begun. It's as if God has erased the slate giving us a fresh start. But now we must learn new behaviors and attitudes that follow us to take the life God intended us to experience. Part of the new life we've begun is learning to care about ourselves as well as others. For too long we have believed that we can care for others only at our own expense. But that makes us feel like we're trying to fill someone else's glass with an empty pitcher. We need God's help to learn how to balance our caring. That's an important way to take our lives back. Ask yourself this. Question 1. Think of a situation in which you cared for someone else at the cost of your physical, mental or emotional health. What was your motivation in doing so? Question 2. What makes it hard for you to practice self-care, to make certain you have something to give? Ask God. Heavenly Father, you have gave so much for me by sending Jesus to die on my behalf. Help me to see how much you value me as a person. Help me to see that you love me no matter what.