"Inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16

As each day of the new year passes let us be aware of the work that the LORD is doing in our lives. While our flesh may be "falling apart" and our physical bodies are suffering, it is our spiritual lives that are taking bloom and growing. Inwardly each day we are be changed and as each day passes we are becoming more and more like Christ Jesus, as verse 11 puts it, "the life of Jesus is made manifest in our bodies". What a renewal that is, to become like Jesus! This is a daily process, one that will take a lifetime. Fortunately God never gives up on us and He will patiently do this work in our lives, day by day, renewing our spiritual beings until the day of completion is here and we will see him face to face. Let us resolve this year to allow the Father to do the work that He sees fit to do in our lives, the work that will accomplish this renewal of our spiritual beings. Let us submit to His hand and be pliable that He might form us into the very image of His dear Son.

Father, give us your vision for our lives. Allow us to see the renewal taking place in our hearts. Make us more like Jesus, even though that may mean suffering and heartache. Give us a submissive heart, that we might be formed according to your will. Help us to be patient with the outcome, knowing that you will never give up on us and that one day we will be like Jesus. In the meantime, let Jesus shine through us that we might be a light in this dark world. Inwardly, renew us day by day as you have promised in your Word. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen