Off With The Old

…that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:22-25

To be efficient with our time, energy and resources for the Lord we will need to have our minds renewed! Put away the old ways and turn over a new leaf on life—begin fresh—with new energies, new ideas, righteous and holy ways that are pleasing to God. Proverbs 13:20 tells us…Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. NLT. With whom we associate says a lot about our own character. 

Choosing good friends is like choosing good fish--

tasty or just plain smelly!

Family Activity – Talk with your family about the importance of choosing good people for good friends. If you have examples in your own life—share those. Within your extended family there are sure to be some examples of good and bad choices for friends. 

If you are looking for a dramatic way to emphasize this concept, cut out a piece of black construction paper to look like jail bars and a red circle with a line diagonally across it—the traditional “DO NOT ENTER” sign. Then take photos of each family member and put them behind bars. Sometimes bad choices with friends will end up in jail time. Tell them that you never want them to be behind bars and put the “DO NOT ENTER” sign across those bars. Choose your friends wisely.  

Prayer ~ Lord, I give You my old self—my old ways and ask that You renew my mind and spirit that I would become more like Jesus every day. Help us to speak the truth—Your truth to everyone around us—that they would know we are Christians by our love.

[Recycled from August 13, 2013]

  Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 23-25

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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