Text: Titus 3:1-8, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 8:18-25
When my kids play outside, they get super dirty. We have a wooded area behind our house with a creek and mud and lots of critters. By the time they finally tromp back to the house from one of their adventures, a good bit of that mud and a disconcerting number of critters come right home with them (last weekend my 7-year-old mentioned casually to me that his pocket was full of worms). They’re filthy.
Straight to the bath or shower they go, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned about parenting my *ahem* muddy children, it’s this: no matter how hard they try to do it on their own, they just can’t get themselves clean like I can.
When they’ve finally been washed clean, all wrapped up in a fluffy towel with wet eyelashes and sweet-smelling skin, I can forget about the worms and the bugs and the mud—they are like new. We all feel better.
___
So think of being born again as our Heavenly Father bringing us in from the woods, rinsing away our filth like only He can. He washes us clean. Our eyelashes are wet and our skin smells sweet. We are like new.
I think what Paul wants us to see in this passage is a contrast between our dirty, wandering, worms-in-our-pockets human hearts, and—because of the “loving kindness of God”—our washed and renewed selves through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.
The word he uses is “regeneration.” In Latin it means to “create again” and in Greek it’s “paliggenesía” or “birth, beginning.“ The washing of regeneration Paul describes is a complete cleaning in which our filth becomes a distant memory and we as believers are literally a New Creation.
This newness—this born-again freshness that we as believers often forget (but, oh, if we could remember and claim as our identity every new day!) is a foreshadowing, just a glimpse, of what is to come. Like Paul says in Romans 8, we “have the firstfruits of the Spirit.”
That image of my kids all squeaky clean after their baths? And the one of you, wrapped in the fresh towel of God’s mercy? Sisters, close your eyes and now imagine the promised regeneration of the whole world! A new heaven and a new earth!
Only God can do this.
He washed away our filth at our salvation.
He restores us with each new day.
And He will make everything new for His glory.
Lord, if we are in Christ, we are a new creation. Help us find our identities here. Make us clean and new and Yours. And Lord, let that make all the difference.
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80 thoughts on "the washing of regeneration"
Thank you so much for your insight and knowledge concerning this verse, I too had been struggling with it, until I read your post on it. My prayer had been Lord, open up the mind of my understanding that I may know. I am so grateful for the clarity that you brought. May our God continue to bless you as you work to bless others.
Thank you for this. I’ve been puzzling over this verse (which came up in my scriptures memorisation app) – your explanation of “the washing regeneration” has helped me. Bless you.
Thank you for sharing this message. As I was lead of the Holy Spirit, to read Titus 3:5 this morning. It talks of the “Washing of Regeneration and the Renewing of the Holy Ghost. I’m constantly, reminded that every day we are offered a New Beginning. Another chance and opportunity to get our relationship right with God.
He makes us over everyday!! I thank God for his saving Grace and New Mercies!!!!!
God Bless you WOG!
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I love this visual!!!
This brings to mind the inevitable battle that always comes when it’s time to actually wash off my daughter in the bath or shower. She is always content to simply splash around not really getting the dirt off, but when it comes time to scrub or God forbid, was her hair there are tears and protests. When she is done she always says how much better she feels. I am much the same way… I am content to sit in a church pew and dip my toes in without really committing to serving, or skimming over a devotional without really digging into it. But the hard work comes when God starts scrubbing off the old me so his creation can show. It’s when the hard part comes that I often produce tears and protests because it’s not often fun. But when I come out of the trial, or I dig in deeper where He wants me… I see I understand and I am glad I did it His way.
Also if you want song of daily truth check out josh garrels new song born again!!! This passage made me think of it. : )
Daughters of God!!! That is what we are. We’ve been brought near by the blood of Christ. There’s nothing ordinary about that! Let’s never take that in vain!! Love to all you sisters.
“Let us find our identities here.” Not in our failures. Not in our comparisons. But in Jesus, in His LOVINGkindness. In His plans laid out for us like fresh pjs after a that bath. Putting on Christ, making the Gospel beautiful to others so that the entire world can also see!!
Yes! Amen ❤️
I LOVE this! "And the one of you, wrapped in the fresh towel of God’s mercy" What a great picture that is of God hugging us as his little children; in a warm white towel, after cleaning are filth away. I just love that image of God as our caretaker, someone who loves us and cares for us like a parent.
Another part of the commentary that sticks out with today's lesson: "Christians can boldly live the kind of life prescribed in verses 1 and 2, because God has intervened in human history to bring about a change. The whole salvation complex–rebirth and renewal, justification and hope–is reality, grounded in the historical events of Christ's ministry and death/resurrection and in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But to experience the new reality, the believer must actively decide to step forward; the reality of the Christian possibility is not experienced through reciting a creed but by performing it in faith." http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentarie…
Thanks for sharing!!
I like this commentary from biblegateway.com: "Foolish, disobedient and deceived, the first three terms, are the sorts of words Paul has used to describe the heretics. Foolishness is a stubborn refusal to acknowledge the truth. Disobedience is a culpable condition involving the choice to live in opposition to God (1:16). Underlying these traits is deception. This particular term was often descriptive of the purpose or result of false prophets (2 Tim 3:13; compare Mt 24:10-12; 1 Thess 2:3; Rev 2:20). The source of deception is false teaching, be it worldly philosophies or distorted Christian doctrine. The message to believers is clear: stay away from the doctrines of the false teachers."
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentarie…
Amen! thank you God for being so loving and for renewing your forgiveness for us everyday. Thank you for cleaning us from our daily sins and filthy lifes. Glory to you only, our savior, our Lord!
"But God"….I remembered as I was getting ready for bed last night that I had the opportunity to pray to my God and ask him forgiveness for how I handled the situations of the day. I had the chance to ask Him to show me the mercy and the grace I neglected to show myself throughout the day. I had the chance to ask Him to take away the day and everything in it, to allow me to rest and wake up to a beautiful new day with a clean slate. The sky isn't as clear and blue as it was when I wrote my comment yesterday, but it's still a new day filled with new opportunities.
I was so excited about this message when I read it yesterday morning. I was ready to take advantage of a new day and make the most of it. Boy, did that ever go downhill quickly! Little thing, after little thing kept happening and piling up. The icing on the cake was getting ready to leave the house and walking out the door without my keys, locking myself out. That was the meltdown point. I did not act with grace, nor did I show myself any mercy. I threw a tantrum on my front porch that a three year old would be proud of. I was not pleased with myself later and spent the rest of the day feeling ashamed.
We’ve all been there, Liane! ❤️❤️
I read this yesterday early in the morning as I always do, but for some reason I felt like I needed to wait and come back later. So I did. In the meantime, my day went about and last evening I received word from one of my close friends that she has breast cancer. And then I reread this, and I cried and praised the Lord that He makes all things new, especially our sick and broken bodies. And I praised Him for His towel of mercy and for making us new.
"The spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves grown within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body." Rom. 8:16-23
God is calling me into a deeper more intimate relationship with Him. He asked back in March but I hesitated feeling unworthy. Then He asked again yesterday.
I got what He said to me written down in my prayer journal. Here is what He said to me (copied and pasted it from my prayer journal. It’s an Iphone journal)
Fifteen years ago you gave me your heart. You turned from your sins and turned to Me. For 15 years beloved we’ve had a relationship. It was rocky at times and you were even stubborn at times. Even for a time you turned away. But I’ve already forgiven you beloved. I forgave you when you confessed and repented.
Let me sing over you, beloved. I take delight in my beautiful bride. Love is patient love is kind love always perseveres. It does boast. It is not rude. My love bears all things. My love forgives all things. My love is not selfish or self serving. For I am love itself beloved.
I propose to you right now, beloved. I propose a deeper more intimate relationship with you. Get into a deeper relationship with me beloved. Many waters cannot quench my love.”
I hesitated again feeling unworthy. Then He reassured me that His love is based on Who He is which is Love not on my actions. So I pushed aside the doubts and said Yes! Yes to a deeper more relationship with Him.
Pray for our relationship. That it will grow! Yay! ❤️
Geez, I have bombed out on this Titus plan somethin' fierce!! Feeling very thankful tonight for two things — 1) that the end of the school year (and a hiatus in my job) begin in just a few days!! Looking forward to stepping back from the chaos for a while. And 2) for today's scripture. Just what I needed and that is why God drew me to open up my laptop tonight, despite my sleepy eyes and weary brain.
"…Speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 2-7
All day, despite my prayers this morning to keep myself from directing my energy to the negative, my thoughts have been held captive by irritation, anger, dwelling on past hurts & past betrayal. How blessed are we that we have God! He holds us to His standard of grace, not perfection. He gives more and more grace, saving us from our trespasses. As I wound down my very long day at work, my knee-jerk reactive thoughts wanted to dwell on the annoyance I had to sit through all afternoon, knowing I was being directly lied to and my ability to "handle things" professionally and correctly at work was being taken with full advantage. Before knowing today's scripture, or even the focus of this entire plan because I haven't made the time for it yet, I tried to keep telling myself that God is showing me myself and my sin through these frustrating experiences today and in the negative memories and thoughts that keep trying to set up residence in my mind. Not to steal our Lord's thunder and not to say that I beat myself up either, but the reminder that "there but for the grace of God, go I" and the memories of choices I've made and things I have said in the past… well, it really put this day into perspective and allowed me to let it go a little. Then to read the chosen scripture for today, it was just what I needed to know and to remember. He has saved me, washed me clean of my sins, and gives more grace than I can imagine, much less ever deserve. He creates me anew, every time I reach out for Him, whether it has been 5 minutes, 5 hours, or a few days since I last spoke to Him. Lord, that I could hold on more tightly to that HOPE you promise is real and true for me and us all. That I could keep my mind steadfastly set on You, and ignore all of the noise around me and in my own head. Thank you for leading me here tonight and for setting my heart and mind at peace. To You all the glory! Thank You Lord. Amen.
"Lord, if we are in Christ, we are a new creation. Help us find our identities here. Make us clean and new and Yours. And Lord, let that make all the difference."
Such a great prayer – help me to find my identity in Christ. I need that reminder daily.
Jumping in the shower and having a good cry. I'm not in a good place this morning. My happy marriage has slammed into a pit of that muddy, wormy filth. BUT GOD! Clinging on by my nails….
Maya, praying Our God will wrap you and yours in that towel of mercy, that He will be present as the 'muddy filth' is washed away.and that He will regenerate and make things New for you…..and your marriage…..God is good…..praying, ……with love, x x
Praying for you and your marriage Maya! Keep the faith! God's got this! :)
Maya, I love how in that shower of God's good grace and mercy, we can have that good cry. We can be vulnerable. And honest. We can come to Him and know He is faithful to hear us as the dusty, weary place. He can be our God and we can be His people. It's just simple and beautiful as that.
Cry out to Him, Maya. The Lord is faithful to "create again" a beautiful, healthy, blessing marriage for you and your husband. God is THERE with you, He sees it all, and He is so very willing to regenerate it. Know that in Him, You are new. I pray that both you and your husband would know of the absolute newness God has you in. Praying for you. Love you, sister. Hold onto the Lord.
"But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now." (Joshua 23:8)
"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13)
You're beautiful. Be so so blessed.
Praying for you.
That phrase, create again, that changes everything. This morning I breathed in that thought, and breathed out the shame and weariness that I struggle to not let cover me. I’m so grateful that Jesus has re-created me, and I am standing in that truth today.
Mackenzie, a great truth to stand on each day, for sure…..New each day….Amen…x
What a beautiful picture, but yes, that new identity is so hard to remember to claim each day! That we can, and that it's what God desires for us. That just makes me wonder how heavily I am limiting the Spirit's work through me, when I forget that I am covered in the blood of Christ and that it provides a way for me to start anew each day. I have definitely believed the lie of late, that I cannot change my negative tendencies– that I'm doomed to always be a procrastinator, or a pessimist (or what have you). But seriously?! We serve a God of transformation for crying out loud! How could I ever think that my Father isn't capable of helping me to grow in those areas (if I am faithful and obedient)? Each day is a new day indeed. :)
What a sweet reminder today, that He makes ALL things new! It brought to mind this verse:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:4, 5 ESV)
Praise God! Happy Monday, ladies!
Praise God indeed Kelly…..Blessings…x
What a heart-warming message! Every single word hit home today. Thank you for encouraging us daily.
Amen…Alison….x x
Allison, I'll give an AMEN.to that…x
It has been raining (storming actually!) every night for the past four nights here where I live. I love the sound of a summer thunderstorm and I welcome the rain it brings! Every morning these past few days I have been treated to a beautiful, picture-perfect blue sky with puffy white clouds, water glistening on the trees and grass, birds singing beautiful songs, and that wonderful smell that the earth has after a summer rain. It's all fresh, clean, new. That's what God does for us. We have the opportunity to come to him at the end of each day; we can thank him for this good things of the day and ask him to forgive us for those areas where we may have fallen short. Then in the morning, our heart and soul are cleared and ready for the new day. This is my challenge to myself this week. That I will come to him each night to thank Him for what He has done and to be cleaned of the day's filth, ready to be new again in the morning.
I love this image, Liane! I'll be thinking about this during the next summer thunderstorm :) Thanks for sharing. We love having you here!!
xo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Praise God for this wonderful gift of mercy and grace! What a blessing it is to know that this isn't something that is done only at the time of our baptism, but each and every morning we get the chance to start fresh, to be cleaned of yesterday's filth and begin our new day squeaky clean. Even by moment by moment we have the privelege of asking our God to make us new, to help us start over.
Sometimes our encounters with the world leave more than our feet getting dirty. what about our minds? the barrage of garbage that filters into our brains is enough to cause toxic waste. How I need the cleansing of the Holy Spirit daily to keep the mind of Christ always functioning through me.
this is my greatest NEED.
I praise you Father God, that your spirit ever lives to intercede on my behalf.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
I often look only a few steps before me and grow frustrated when growth and change isn't occurring at the pace I'd like it to. Instead, I can rest in the truth of this verse and know that He is always at work within us and that the glory ahead far exceeds the suffering of the present. He can see the big picture, and often we are caught up in the details of the small picture. I pray that my heart will be softened and that I will be quicker to yield to Him than to grow impatient in my own strength.
I have a note in my bible from a few years ago about grace. I thinking a CS Lewis quote. It helps but things in perspective for me when I'm striving. And I'm often found striving.
"If God's grace isn't sufficient, then He has nothing else to offer."
All this talk of grace and not having the ability to be good enough. All this striving is for naught. That I should not spend more effort avoiding doing wrong but getting to know my Heavenly Father. Indeed. Bask in the greatest shortest phrase in history: But God.
More often than not I'm stuck at Ephesians 2:3, rather than vs 4. And Titus 3:3 rather than vs 4. Forgetting that grace is all He has. Whether I believe it or not. Grace is enough, even for me. :)
So true, Shelly! I often get stuck living the ways of the world instead of living by His grace. Thank you for sharing!
Fantastic!
When Raechel talked about how she can clean her sons better than they can, I realized how I can be like her sons trying to clean themselves. I can try to clean myself in my own strength by attempting to rebalance the scale with more good works, but only God can clean me! So thankful for that this morning!
We always fall short when we try to do it ourselves. "It" can be anything, but without God, "it" will fail. And if you're a control freak like me, it's hard to let whatever "it" is go and give it all over to God. A work in progress :)
The most wonderful gift we'll ever receive, and God has given us the ability to be a part in sharing His marvelous gift with others. When we receive our first Pandora charm or Alex and Ani bracelet, we start thinking, "who can I buy one for as a gift?" We get excited to wrap the gift and share it with someone else.
Lord forgive us (forgive me) that we (I) don't stay excited about sharing your precious jewel of hope in your adoption.
Today's reading also made me think how well business owners would do to use God's word in developing their mission and core value statements for operation. If every business person was to lived by this truth:
"Show perfect courtesy toward all people"
Wow, just this one core value could revolutionize their business, can you imagine if they incorporated even more of God's keys for success?
Thank you for the book of Titus Lord. This is excellent and profitable for our success this day, this week, this year — until God brings us home.
Greeting in His holy name sisters. I could not help but close my eyes a picture us together with God all enveloped in His towel of abundant mercy. What a beautiful image. I pray we all make it in.
May we realise that we have been washed clean, that our filth as been removed as far as the east is from the west. They are remembered no more. As we go about our daily lives let us be compassed by good works so as to not gather anymore filth about ourselves, knowing that God will cleanse us again. Thats a privilege not to be taken disadvantage of. Non the less if we happen to fall short we know His towel of mercy awaits us patiently.
This is my prayer for all of us
Lord, if we are in Christ, we are a new creation. Help us find our identities here. Make us clean and new and Yours. And Lord, let that make all the difference.
Amen. Be blessed and have a glorious day in God.
"For he (God the Father) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Cor. 5:21 KJV
Incredible!!!
How encouraging to see, repeated throughout all these scriptures, "He has saved us," "You have been saved," and "We are saved" as well as the just as frequent, if not more frequent, assurance that this salvation is nothing we can make happen on our own. It is His joy to do this washing, cleansing, redeeming, gracious work in our lives. Hallelujah! I don't even know how to express my joy at my Father's overwhelming love for me!
And now, sisters, I have a request. I know I need much prayer to face today and tonight. Last night, I woke up multiple times, feeling so sure there was someone in the room with me. It was a very strong, very real spiritual attack. I was able to get through by praying each time, but it was difficult, and made for a very restless night, and a dark aspect on today. I don't have this experience very often, thankfully, but I know that I will be uneasy going to bed tonight, so I ask you ladies to pray for me today and tonight, as I walk alongside the Lord, seeking His comfort and grace, and protection. I praise the Lord for all of you!
Praying God gives you peace and protection and comfort Essiejean.
Thank you for the prayer, dear! Last night was better. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
Psalm 4: 8 (NIV) “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety”.
Thank you so much, Annette! You reminded me of a song from my childhood that was based on that scripture, and I sang it as I was going to bed last night :)
Dear Jesus, whatever is troubling my sister in Christ, please lift it away. As she goes through her day, shine your warm, clear light on every aspect of her day. Lord, send any un-ease, and fear or dread packing, so that she may walk in Your perfect peace. And when she goes to sleep tonight, cover her with a very real knowledge of Your presence, and a knowing that nothing can harm her as she rests in Your loving arms. We ask this inYour precious name.
EssieJean, someone once told me their child was having unsettling dreams. They asked their pastor to come and annoint and pray over the room. The dreams stopped occuring, and the little girl sleeps easy. Perhaps that is an option for you to consider. Blessings to you today!
Thank you so much for this prayer and thought, Liz!
Awesome God, I lift up Essie Jean to you. We know that the enemy is real, he is powerful and he will stop at nothing to attack us, to draw us away from you, God. But you are more powerful than the enemy! James 2:19 tells us "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder." Lord, make the enemy afraid!! Place your hand of protection on Essie Jean as she goes throughout her day. Fill her with your strength and power so that when she walks back into her room tonight, the enemy takes one look at her and says "No thank you!", leaving her presence and giving her peace. Thank you Lord for our sister Essie Jean. Thank you for her being able to come to us, her sisters in Christ, and humbling herself to ask for prayer. We know that you are stronger than any other force on this earth and this will be overcome. Amen!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, precious one! Last night was better!
Will hold you up in prayer, dear one……for peace of mind, peaceful sleep and angels to watch over you….I shall pray psalm 91 through pray over you…..God bless and keep you safe and in His protective arms….x x xxx
Thank you so much Tina! My Bible Study girls gave me the same Psalm. Last night was better. It is such a blessing to have prayer warriors to come to in a time of need!
Remember Jesus is there in the room with you. Say out loud, "I trust you Jesus." I will be praying for you tonight!
Thank you so much for the prayers! Last night was better. Praise the Lord for sisters here to come to :)
Thankful for our loving God, who sees through the muck and brings us out of it to a place of regeneration and renewal.
"only God can."
Lord, help me to remember this when I get all "holy" and self-righteous over a situation. Let me remember that it is your GRACE! Nothing that I have done can earn this salvation.
I'd like to share two more verses on becoming new with you, my sisters, this morning, verses that are well-known, and I'm sure well-loved:
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. || Galatians 2:20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he [she!] is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. || 2 Corinthians 5:17
Blessings as you start your week :)
Thanks so much for reminding us of these verses! Galatians 2:20 is one of my favorites. Praise Jesus for sacrificing Himself and sending His Spirit so that we might live this awesome new life of faith! Have a blessed day!
I commented on today's devotion before reading everyone else's comments. I too was lead to 2 Corinthians 5:17 and pondered on it as well this :)
Thank you for sharing! I love knowing that I am made New in Him!!
Only God can do this! So many of us, including me, try to clean ourselves up by using our own abilities. What a mess, this never works! We always seem to miss a little dirty spot. But God ….cleans us up and restores us. Praise The Lord! He makes all things new. Thank God for that wonderful, clean, fluffy towel of Mercy.
H Lord, help me to remember this! Only He can truly wash me clean – and He has. And He will do the same to His whole creation. Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Only God can cleanse us from the inside out! And isn't it so much easier to set about doing what needs to be done when we are clean as opposed to when we come in carrying that filth around with us because we are too busy (to take a shower, to repent)? God prepared us for accomplishing good works. So He daily renews us, cleanses us, in order that we might dive into those works. It's hard to do God-works when we are wallowing in sin. It bogs us down, makes us spiritually sleepy, so to speak.
And on a related note, the list of do's and don'ts in the first three verses of Titus 3 are not the good works. They are the preparation for the good works. God does the regenerating, the washing. He then guides and empowers us to stay clean and get ready to do the work for which He has cleansed us. Thank you, Lord, for your purposes and means in our lives. In Jesus' Name.
I loved this!!! Thank you for today’s wonderful reading. I’m thankful that when I’m so dirty, nasty, and dripping with sin from the days choices I’ve made–that God will wash me squeaky clean and make me anew in Him! Whether it’s our best day or our worst day–His love for us is the same!! Praise The Lord for His mercy and grace!
Be blessed as you face the day ahead! :)
Love this, Kyla! So encouraged by your words. We love having you here!
xoxo, Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Such a beautiful picture of us with God. I can see Him washing all if that dirt away every night. I am so thankful for His grace and mercy.
I love how God intertwines messages for me. The statement "but, oh, if we could remember and claim as our identity every new day!" struck me. My pastor started a series yesterday on Identity. And started by talking about having a false identity and not knowing who you are in God. He stated that your sense of identity defines your relationships, the way things go in your life, and how you interpret events. He stated that so many of us leave church each week dissatisfied because what we heard does not stick with us and it is because we have not understood our true identity. As soon as we leave the enemy presents us with situations that continues to trap us in a false identity which we continue to operate from. Oh, but how wonderful would it be for us to understand our identity and to recognize that every day God washes away the filth that we track in! This is not to say that we go out and purposely gather that filth, but we all are a work in progress and fall short. BUT GOD!
Thank you for this beautiful image and reminding me that God loves me enough to wash me every night. Thank you for the realization that I need to recognize my identity every day.
The "but God" got me too! If I could just truly believe that it's God that makes all the difference here, and not me, in my own self-righteousness, my relationship with Him would be so much purer, and more equated to that adopted daughter status at which He already sees me. Praise Him for His infinite patience and mercies, which are new every morning!
"But God"….. I love those words!! It's hard to remember them when we are in the midst of a trial. Imagine what a difference it would make though to stop when things aren't going the way we had thought and just remind ourselves, "but God"…… the ending of that sentence is endless and all wonderful!
This is so true ! If we can only remember every day, just like we bathe every day.
I pray to remember that each day I have been washed clean, thanks to what Jesus did for me on the cross. I am born into his kingdom. Amen. Blessings to my sisters in Christ
Amen, Tricia! Blessings to you!
xoxo, Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Only Only God can do this…..
He washed away our filth at our salvation.
He restores us with each new day.
And He will make everything new for His glory…..
This reminds me of Revelation 21: 5……Then the One sits on the rhrone said, "And now I make all things New!" He also said to me "Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted…."
This is truth! And I am claiming it…..!!!!…….I am also claiming this cleansing, this washing of regenaration…I want to be a new creation for my God….I love the idea of Gods fresh towel of mercy each day, with an over sprinkling of Grace, as we would cover our children with powder, once dried…oh, and to go further…..because of smelling so so delicious….. the hugs….. the safe, you are Loved so so much hugs…..the I would die for you hugs……this is a recollection I have of my beautiful and wonderful earthly father…..how much more my Heavenly Father….The Almighty God….I hurt with the pain of the thought that….I sin, I come in dirty, oh so dirty, from the filth of my day, my life….and I am cleansed….regenerated……what can I do, but kneel, in Worship and Praise to the One who affords me this gift…..
I surrender Lord…..make me clean Lord….and new…..and so so totally Yours…..help me find and accept my identity in YOU……to live a cleansed and purposeful life for you…..I love you Lord….Thank you …..
Floored…..from this posture…..sending you all love, and praying God's grace, love joy over you…Happy Monday…..x x x xxx
Only God can do this….Amen….x
Amen.
"This reminds me of Revelation 21: 5……Then the One sits on the throne said, "And now I make all things New!" He also said to me "Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted…."
He says it with exclamation, with joy and confirmation, exultation.
He wants us to write it down. To remember. To set it in stone. To know that this truth is THE truth and that it cannot be moved. Not Ever.
You make all things new, Father God, and for that, I am so in awe of you. Make it all new. Make us new. Praise you, Papa.
Love you, dear friend. Thank you for this verse; I praise God for you. Blessings.