Weekly Devotional: April 1
New Life
By Bobbie Schaeperkoetter
I have two beautiful apple trees in my back yard. For most of the year they are dressed in bold green leaves. As summer rolls around and Fall approaches, they are covered in bright red apples. However, for the last few months, like most trees, their long brown branches have been barren. Today, though, I saw the first evidence of life. White buds are bursting forth from those bare branches.
It's not just the apple trees. After I noticed these first signs of Spring, I took a walk around my yard looking for signs of new life. My blueberry bushes have little green leaves sprouting. Tiny foliage is erupting from my blackberry vines. Red buds are popping up on the big tree by my patio. The grass is vibrant again and even some of flowers are starting to bloom. Even the breeze carries the hint of freshness and growth.
Maybe my heart and mind are still ruminating over the Resurrection on this Monday after Easter, but I can’t help but feel hope bubbling up in my soul as I think about new life springing forth from things that look dark, dismal, and even dead. Giving new life and new hope is something God is really good at.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
If we’re willing to receive it, he makes us a new creation and gives us a new future. He gives us new life, a new spirit, and a new heart.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Ezekiel 11:19 NIV “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”
He will make a new heaven and a new earth. Indeed, he is making all things new.
Revelation 21:1-5 NIV “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
Look around. Everything points to the promise of new life. May this Spring season be a reminder every day of Jesus’ gift, of the Father’s goodness, and of the Spirit’s presence. I pray it the new life is an everyday reminder of the hope you have in Jesus and the promise of new life.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Prayer
God, give us eyes to see the signs of new life alive all around us. Use it to remind our hearts of your promises. Let it bring to mind every day the hope we have in you through Jesus and the new life that is ours because of him. Thank you for Spring and its’ beauty. Amen.
Scripture Meditation
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Journal Reflection
How might you use this season as an opportunity to seek out hope?
Practice
Take a walk outside. What signs of new life do you notice? As you walk, pray and thank God for the new life you see all around you and the new life that is available through Jesus.
