Day 13

January 20

Pastor Craig Bollinger

1 Peter 1:3-4a NIV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

Peter gives us a beautiful reminder of how Christians can not only start each day but live each day in a unique calling as vessels of hope to the world. When Jesus teaches us how to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, He begins with “Father in heaven, holy is your name”. To begin a prayer with praise reminds us of the beauty and power of the one to whom we are praying. To begin a day giving praise to God simply for who He is, what He has done and His ongoing kindness to us, has us more fully live into the day with all its joys and struggles under the awareness of God’s goodness in it all.  

Peter reminds us that we have a living hope that comes because God has been so merciful to us. God has forgiven our sins and given us a fresh start, a new beginning to live with Him and for Him in the world and eternally with Him in heaven. Everyday, Peter reminds us, we can arise giving praise and thanks once again. Everyday we can arise freshly forgiven and hopeful for what God has planned. Everyday we can encounter person after person with a living hope – a hope that others see alive and well in our own lives. We display a living hope that meets each situation, struggle, unknown, or impossibility with our possible, powerful God. Each day we can walk with joy and expectation because the hope within us through Christ is real and our eternal future is secure.  

Are you starting your day with this kind of praise and hope? Are you seen in your family, community, and with friends as one filled with joy and possibility that comes from the living hope of Christ? You can! Jesus wants you to be born again into His presence and grace. He is knocking on the door of your heart to make His home in you. He wants to save you with His mercy and fill your heart with His joy and hope. Today is a good day for a new beginning. If you are already in this place with Jesus, share Him with others so they can experience His mercy and hope as well.

Prayer: Gracious and loving Father, thank you for saving us through your son Jesus.  Thank you for giving us a new birth through the cross and the forgiveness of our sin. We praise you for your kindness. We welcome your living hope within us. Help us through your Holy Spirit to awaken each day in the joy of your presence. Amen!