In step

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Romans 12:1-2

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. . . .
Romans 12:2

Every January, people focus on external changes—better diets, improved finances, new routines. But a transformation that lasts always begins within. Our thoughts shape our actions, and our mindset affects the way we respond to life.

I used to think that change started with doing more. But I’ve learned that true, lasting transformation comes from aligning my perspective with God’s truth instead of cultural noise. That’s what Paul is getting at here. This is not just about avoiding worldly patterns; it’s about inviting God to reshape how we see everything. When I start my day with Scripture instead of social media, peace comes more easily. When I focus on gratitude rather than complaints, my heart softens.

Renewing your mind is a daily choice—like resetting a compass so that you don’t drift off course.

God wants to guide us, but we need a clear mental space so that we can hear his voice.

Let today be a turning point: less conformed, more transformed.

Spirit of God, renew my mind with your truth each day. Clear out the clutter of fear, comparison, and negativity. Align my thoughts with yours. In Jesus, Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Leaving The Past Behind​ By Darrell Delaney — Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting what is behind . . . I press on . . . to win the prize for which God has called me. . . . Philippians 3:13-14 Some memories cling to us like shadows—our failures, our regrets, our missed opportunities. We replay them over and over, wondering what we could have done differently. But the truth is that we can’t change the past. Even so, we don’t have to let it shape our present and our future. Paul had a past too. Before becoming an apostle, he persecuted the church. If anyone had reasons to carry guilt, it was him. But instead of being paralyzed by his past, Paul focused forward—not because he was perfect but because he was forgiven. The Lord’s amazing grace gives us permission to let go. Leaving the past behind isn’t about denial. It’s about refusing to let it define you. God is doing something new, and looking backward too long can make you miss what’s right in front of you. So if you're carrying baggage from last year—or from the past decade or more—lay it down. God is not finished with you yet. In fact, he’s just getting started. Jesus, help me to let go of what I cannot change. Free me from shame and regret, and fix my eyes on what lies ahead in life with you. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy . . . for he will freely pardon.
Isaiah 55:7

There’s something powerful about a fresh start. Whether it’s a new year, a new chapter, or a new morning, we all long for the chance to begin again. But sometimes we wonder if God is really willing to give us that clean slate. Especially when we’ve messed up so many times in our lives.

Isaiah 55 reminds us that starting again isn’t just possible—it’s beautiful. God doesn’t just tolerate our return; he welcomes it with mercy and pardon. That word is key. It means we don’t have to earn our way back or prove ourselves. We just need to turn around and come home.

God is not stingy with second chances. He is generous with grace. If you have strayed, or doubted, or simply gotten stuck, this is your invitation to start again—not because you’re strong, but because God is merciful.

There is beauty in starting again—not because everything in it is perfect, but because God is present in the process.

And that is more than enough.

Lord, thank you for the mercy that meets me every morning. Give me the courage to start again, trusting that in your grace you will carry me forward. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Psalm 118:24-25

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (NRSV)
Psalm 118:24

Some mornings don’t feel worth rejoicing over. The weight of yesterday’s worries or the dread of today’s challenges can steal our joy before the day even begins. But Psalm 118:24 gently calls us back to a deeper truth: every single day is a gift crafted by God’s own hands.

When the psalmist says, “This is the day that the LORD has made,” it’s not just about sunny skies and good vibes. It’s a declaration that no matter what the day holds, it is still God’s. It means that God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness are already waiting for you in this day. Even when life feels unpredictable, God’s love doesn’t waver.

Rejoicing doesn’t mean pretending that everything is fine. It means choosing to trust the One who made the day—and who holds you in it. Each morning brings a new opportunity to rest in God’s love, to find joy not in perfection but in God’s presence.

You don’t have to carry yesterday's weight into today. God’s love is new each morning—and it will meet you again tomorrow.

Jesus, thank you for this day and for your unfailing love in it. Help me to rejoice in your presence and to trust you in all that lies ahead. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Romans 6:1-4

Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4

One of the most powerful truths of the Christian faith is that we don’t have to stay the same. Through Jesus, we’ve been given the gift of new life—right here, right now. We aren’t just slightly improved versions of our old selves. We have been made new from the inside out.

Paul’s words in Romans 6 remind us that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too are invited into resurrection living. That means the habits, thought patterns, and shame that once held us back no longer have to define us. The past no longer has the final word. Grace does.

Of course, walking in newness doesn’t always feel instant. Often it means taking one small step of faith at a time. But every step forward in obedience is a declaration that you belong to the risen Christ and that your life is a living testimony to his transforming power.

You are not who you used to be. And, by God’s grace, you’re becoming more of the person he has called you to be.

Lord, thank you for the new life I have in you. Help me to walk each day with purpose, knowing that I have been raised to live differently. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 8:6-13

“I will make a new covenant with the people. . . . I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.”
Hebrews 8:8, 12

I can still remember the first time I really understood the gift of God’s grace. I had been used to the idea of “earning” favor and approval from people, and that extended into seeking approval from God. It was a familiar pattern: Perform well, and you will be rewarded. Fail, and you are left with guilt and consequences.

But grace is not like that. It depends not on our performance but on God’s promises—sealed through Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews contrasts the old covenant, which was based on laws and rituals, with the new covenant of grace established by the sacrifice of Jesus. The old covenant required continuous sacrifices for sin, but Jesus, through his sacrifice of himself once for all, made it possible for us to draw near to God, being loved and forgiven.

The new covenant means that we no longer need to fear God’s judgment. We are invited into an intimate relationship with God, marked not by our obedience but by God’s perfect love. No matter what our mistakes are, God’s grace is always greater. This is the good news of salvation—the new covenant in Jesus.

As we reflect on all this, let’s embrace the freedom that comes with grace. No longer bound by old rules, we can live in hope and peace, knowing God has made a way for us to be fully loved and forgiven.

Jesus, thank you for establishing the new covenant of grace. Help us fully to embrace your love and to live in the freedom you have given us. Amen.