7 day devotional to renew your faith in the new year · do you love people? do you see people as...

7 DAY DEVOTIONAL TO RENEW YOUR FAITH

IN THE NEW YEAR

By: James Metsger

http://www.familylife.com

I’m not exactly sure when it happened, but sometime after having children I became a professional caddy for my kids.

No, I don’t hold their golf clubs. Instead, I find myself holding a whole lot of junk that doesn’t belong to me. They hand me candy wrappers, empty cups, a gently used piece of gum, their socks hot off the bottoms of their feet.

I just stand there. “What do you want me to do with this?”

We carry stuff around all the time that doesn’t belong to us. Or, maybe it belongs to us, but it doesn’t have to be carried by us.

D A Y O N E

IF WE SAY WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH

IS NOT IN US. IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND

JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. - 1 J O H N 1 : 8 - 9

Hand It Over

“7 Days to Grow Closer to God,” Copyright © 2020 by James Metsger. Used by permission. All rights reserved. FamilyLife.com

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Sin is baggage. It’s a weight. It’s like someone running with one of those weighted vests, maybe in Houston in August. Sometimes I want to stop them. “Sir, running is hard enough. There’s really no need to carry that additional weight!”

If I didn’t know better, maybe King David went to Houston. He writes about confession, “For when I kept silent … day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3-4).

It’s out of touch with reality to deny we carry the heaviness of sin. It’s like walking around with cookie on our face, but denying our hand was in the jar.

What do we do when we’re carrying the weight of sin? Give it away.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confession isn’t simply spoken words. It’s not a hocus-pocus magical spell that gets us out of trouble.

Confession agrees with God that our thoughts, words, and deeds are contrary to the holy character of God. Confession joins with the tax collector and cries out to God, “Be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

The good news? When we confess, God removes the unnecessary weight. He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. It’s in His character to do so. You can count on it. Are you carrying around unnecessary weight? Paul’s words cheer us on: “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” (Hebrews 12:1).

Hand over all that extra weight to your Father.

Why is it difficult to actually admit our sin?

Is there sin in your life that God is calling you to give over to Him?

What’s stopping you?

D A Y O N E | H A N D I T O V E R


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The great theologian Tina Turner once famously sang, “What’s love got to do with it?”

I’m pretty sure it wasn’t in the same context as when John penned these words. But it’s a valid question, even when you’re not wearing a sparkly dress.

Apparently, love is one of the signs of assurance for the Christian.

I’ve heard pastors jokingly say, “I love ministry; I just don’t love the people.” I knew a guy who would lament his inability to experience significant community in the church while simultaneously quipping, “James, I just don’t like people.”

D A Y T W O

WHOEVER SAYS HE IS IN THE LIGHT AND HATES HIS BROTHER IS STILL

IN DARKNESS. WHOEVER LOVES HIS BROTHER ABIDES IN THE

LIGHT, AND IN HIM THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR STUMBLING. - 1 J O H N 2 : 9 - 1 0

What’s Love Got to Do with It?


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That’s not funny. That’s a problem.

Our love for one another is a sign we belong to God. Let me be clear. Our love for people doesn’t earn love from God. God loves us. We love others. The order is important.

But one of the signs we are God’s people is when we love people. God says it’s pretty hard to praise him with our lips and then snub people made in his image (James 3:9-11). (Maybe it’s like someone who’d say they like me but can’t stand my kids or my wife. Them’s fightin’ words.)

Do you love people? Do you see people as God’s finest creation? Do you want what is best for others? Do you care about the souls of the people you rub shoulders with on a daily basis? If the answer to any of these is “nope”--it’s at least worth a conversation with their Maker.

Love isn’t manufactured. It may be a choice, but it’s not forced. It’s a posture of the heart. It’s more than a second-hand emotion or a catchy lyric.

Loving others is a sign you belong to God.

Do you love the people around you?

How do you demonstrate your love for them?

D A Y T W O | W H A T ’ S L O V E G O T T O D O W I T H I T ?


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Cotton candy is fun. It’s even fun to say. Go ahead. Say it out loud. Cotton candy.

Admit it. You smiled just a little.

Cotton candy is fun to look at. It’s fluffy like a colorful cloud you carry around on a stick. Who hasn’t looked up to the sky and thought, “It sure would be nice if I could dye that cloud blue or pink, dip it in some sugar, wrap it around a stick, and eat it.”

Sure, it gets a little sticky to the touch, but no one ever said, “Man, wish I didn’t have to lick all this sugar off my face.”

D A Y T H R E E

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD … THE

WORLD IS PASSING AWAY ALONG WITH ITS DESIRES, BUT WHOEVER

DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES FOREVER. - 1 J O H N 2 : 1 5 , 1 7

Cotton Candy


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Despite its inherent beauty, cotton candy is arguably the most disappointing theme park food ever invented.

Cotton candy overpromises and underdelivers. Who’s ever had cotton candy and immediately thought, “Boy, am I stuffed. I couldn’t eat another bite. I’m going to put on my sweat pants.” No one in the history of humankind has ever finished their miniature happy cloud on a stick and said out loud, “That hit the spot.”

The world is a lot like cotton candy. It’s eye candy. There’s so much that looks fun and appealing, but leaves us with a longing for more.

John warns us against the things of the world—the desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and the pride of possessions. Or, another way of thinking about it—our appetites, our affections, and our stuff. Pride, power, possessions, prestige, position … These won’t fill you. It may look appealing, but it will just stick to you. It’s empty calories.

It’s sobering for me.

John isn’t suggesting that we shouldn’t have desires or longings, but he is suggesting that those things shouldn’t run contrary to Christ’s desires for us. They shouldn’t fall in line with the world’s system that defines success in life as upward mobility, cozy affluence, outward beauty, and temporary joy.

These are not from God, but the world.

So do not love the world or things of the world. Instead, consider a more satisfying alternative.

What are the pursuits in life that promise to satisfy?

How have you pursued them?

What have been the results?

D A Y T H R E E | C O T T O N C A N D Y


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I once bought a stereo system out of the back seat of some guy’s car. I know. Don’t say it. It wasn’t one of my finer moments. I was young(er), but old enough to vote, get married, and claim a child or two on my taxes.

I’m ashamed to tell the story, but it’s important you remember, in my defense, the guy had a brochure and was a very good salesman.

He received a shipment of equipment for a customer (lie!) who no longer needed it (lie!) and unfortunately, he couldn’t send it back (all lies!). For a few hundred dollars, I could have the whole surround sound system. The speakers. The sound bar. The projector. All could be mine. Wow! What a deal!

The guy had everything you need to run a good business scam. He had a slick website. He

D A Y F O U R

I WRITE THESE THINGS TO YOU ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO

DECEIVE YOU. - 1 J O H N 2 : 2 6

Gullible


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had a glossy business card. And, most importantly, he had a starry-eyed sucker (that was me).

I didn’t have cash on me, so I told him I needed to drive to the bank to get money. (Trust me, I know this makes it worse). As I drove to the bank to withdraw my dignity from the ATM, I had all sorts of sirens going off in my still-underdeveloped brain. Did I mention he had a brochure? What could possibly go wrong?

In my defense (of which I have none), during that drive, I thought better of our original agreement. But I still didn’t have the wisdom to completely walk away. He left with my hard-earned $200, and I left with a valuable lesson: Don’t believe everything you hear, or even read.

John puts it this way:

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

It should come as no surprise that people have been teaching things about Jesus for some time that just aren’t true. They may even have a brochure, a slick website, and a podcast. They unquestionably believe in their product and lack no sincerity.

Be careful. Slick communication does not a solid doctrine (or reliable stereo system) make.

Do you want to know if someone is selling you a spiritual lie? Look to what they teach about Jesus. Start there. Stay there awhile and examine it deeply against Scripture. It’s wise to have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to biblical teaching. (Not cynicism; that would be sinful.) In Acts 17:11, Paul describes a group of people of noble character, the Bereans, “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

Search the Word to see whether one’s teaching about the Word is actually taught in the Word. I don’t say this to frighten you, but to prepare you.

Mark the words of the once-suckered: There will be those who sell you something costly that has no value.

Have you ever been fooled?

How did you feel knowing you fell for something so foolish?

How can you prepare to identify false teaching?

D A Y F O U R | G U L L I B L E


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LITTLE CHILDREN, LET US NOT LOVE IN WORD OR TALK BUT IN DEED

AND IN TRUTH. - 1 J O H N 3 : 1 8

My kid was chasing a ball into a busy intersection the other day, cars sprinting everywhere. I didn’t say anything. He had a smile on his face and seemed like he was having so much fun!

That didn’t happen. But if it did you would question whether I should be allowed to have children in my care.

That’s dumb. That’s not love. Sometimes love is speaking up even if our words won’t be well received in the moment.

My friend Billy once told me, “If I ever find out that you know something about me that I need to hear, and you don’t tell me, I would be crushed.”

D A Y F I V E

Speaking Truth in Love


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In other words, sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to speak the truth … in love (see Ephesians 4:15).

Admittedly, it doesn’t always feel loving. Sometimes telling the truth doesn’t feel loving because it’s not. It lacks the indispensable love element of truth-telling—which leaves it vindictive and cruel.

But I’ve found more often than not, saying what is true is loving. It just takes a while for me to see it.

Like hydrogen peroxide on an open wound, truth can sting. That’s why when I’m on the receiving end of words that make me wince, I assume there is at least some truth in what is being said. I may not agree with everything. I may not like everything. But I know (a) I have blind spots, and (b) I’ve asked God to help me see them, even if it means a blow to my ego.

Maturity in Christ involves the humility to receive truth spoken in love and the courage to deliver it compassionately.

Like letting our kids traipse in the path of a Mack truck, it’s not loving to passively keep our mouths shut when we should open them. Our goal isn’t to be harmful, but helpful with our words: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).

Sadly, love is often defined as acceptance at all costs; as not saying anything at all.

But is it really?

Do you need to have a truthful conversation with someone you love?

When will you?

D A Y F I V E | S P E A K I N G T H E T R U T H I N L O V E


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BY THIS WE SHALL KNOW THAT WE ARE OF THE TRUTH AND REASSURE

OUR HEARTS BEFORE HIM; FOR WHENEVER OUR HEART CONDEMNS

US, GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART, AND HE KNOWS

EVERYTHING. - 1 J O H N 3 : 1 9 - 2 0

Sometimes I’ll think something is wrong in my marriage when nothing is wrong. It’sprobably my own insecurity. Or maybe I simply miss the signals. Sometimes I’ll askmy sweet Melissa, “Are we good?”

She’ll smile and respond, “Yep.”

But I’ll still wonder, so I’ll follow up my question with another, totally different question. “So, we’re good?”

She’ll smile and say, “Yes, James, we’re good.”

But I’m still not fully convinced. It’s good that we know where we stand. So, I’ll ask one

D A Y S I X

We Good, God?


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more time, “You’re sure we’re good?”

She’ll smile. “James, we’re good, but if you ask me one more time if we’re good, we’re not going to be good.”

I’m slow, and sometimes I need to be reassured. Maybe you’re with me. Have you wondered if you’re good with God?

Do you know how you can know?

Listen to your feelings, but don’t let them run the show. Just like my instincts can run amuck in the what-ifs, my heart can mislead me. They can’t always be trusted. There’s something more assuring than our fickle feelings—God’s spoken word.

Instead of following your heart, remember that what God says is greater than what you feel.

How do you respond to fickle feeling in faith?

D A Y S I X | W E G O O D , G O D ?


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LITTLE CHILDREN, KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS. - 1 J O H N 5 : 2 1

I’m trying to remember my parents’ last words as I went off to college.

I’m not positive, but they were probably along the lines of “I love you” or “I’m proud of you” or “Work hard” or “Remember, you don’t have a job or money so spend accordingly.” Either way, their last words were encouraging, uplifting, and wise.

Do you know what my parents didn’t say as I backed out of the driveway? They didn’t say, “Keep yourself from idols!”

But they were John’s last words.

When I think of idols, I think of some cool stone cat sitting crisscross-applesauce with an extra eye on his forehead.

But I’m not sure that’s what John had in mind. An idol doesn’t have to have a prominent

D A Y S E V E N

American Idol


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place on your fireplace. Just a place in your heart.

An idol is anything that takes God’s seat in our hearts and minds.

Want to identify your idols? Try this: Take them away and see how you respond.

Does losing your title at work crush you? Do you suffer sleepless nights when your stocks go down a few percentage points in a day? How do you feel when your kids don’t make the honor roll, miss the game winning goal, or are overlooked at the end-of-year banquet? I can make an idol of my reputation, my accomplishments, my income, my retirement account, my spouse, my kids. Honestly, that’s just scratching the idol surface.

The thing about idols is they never satisfy our restless hearts. Idols can’t do anything but overpromise and underdeliver. The public praise we long for lifts our soul for a second before we’re looking for the next fix. The new trinket that tickles our fancy when it arrives at our doorstep quickly seems less-than when new shiny things are released. The grass at the new house still needs to be mowed, the new car still needs the oil changed, the dream job still calls for work to be done.

Idols never fully satisfy our souls, but that’s not the biggest issue. If it was, we’d just live life like Goldilocks. We’d move from one experience to the next, thinking there’s something better to be discovered—a more filling food or more pleasurable place. No, idolatry isn’t only a satisfaction problem, but a salvation problem. It’s when we look to something or someone other than Jesus to save us. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

It’s no wonder John’s last words are words of caution. Keep yourself from idols.

What captivates my heart so much that if I lost it, I would be

devastated?

D A Y S E V E N | A M E R I C A N I D O L


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7 day devotional to renew your faith in the new year · do you love people? do you see people as...

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