Like a turtle on a fencepost

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “A fresh start in a new year”

Our Bible verse for today: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25-26 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “Like a turtle on a fencepost”

I read a great statement the other morning in my pastor’s devotional. The author was referring to how it is that our faith in Christ can be a source of hope and inspiration for others. He wrote, “There is something incredible about hope and placing our beliefs in something that gives us strength in the moment. We see people around us demoralized, confused, and uncertain, and yet we have the answers so many people are looking for.”

The immediate context of that quote was about the great truth of John 11:25-26. Thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, those of us who have faith in Him will live for eternity even though we will at some time die physically. That assurance of life after death gives us hope and it makes all the difference in how we approach life and death. Other people should be able to see that hope in us. They should be able to see it in how we live and they should be able to hear it in the words we speak.

But not only does Jesus give us hope for the next life, but for this life as well. Remember all we have learned so far in this series about getting a fresh start in this new year. Jesus wants you to live your best life now, and He will help you to do it. Other people should be able to see that in you. As they observe you, they should be able to see the difference Jesus makes in a life that is fully committed to Him.

There’s an old saying that goes, “If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you can be sure he didn’t get there by himself.” In other words, the turtle can’t get himself up on a fencepost. Somebody must have put him there. With respect to the difference Jesus makes in our lives, we are like turtles on a fencepost, we couldn’t have gotten here by ourselves. Jesus had to help us. That means that He gets the credit for the good things other people can see in your life.

We must identify areas in our lives that need to be improved and then make resolutions, develop plans, and take the action necessary to move in the direction of improvement. We are to do it prayerfully, trusting that Jesus will help us. We do it for our own benefit, because we do want to be living our best lives. But we also do it so others can see what it looks like when Jesus helps a person to live their best life.

People all around us are confused, uncertain, and without direction. But in Christ you have purpose, focus, direction, and determination. You can be a turtle on a fencepost – a great example of the positive difference Jesus makes in a life.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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