From Old to New: What Really Changes When We Become a New Creation - Ep 13

Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on Episode 13 of the Milk to Meat Discipleship Podcast.
Listen to the full podcast on all podcasts platforms (YouTube, Apple, Spotify, iHeart and the Cliffview App)

5-Day Devotional: Becoming New in Christ
 
Day 1: The Master Craftsman at Work
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Jeremiah 18:1-6
Devotional: God is the master craftsman who takes our broken, gnarled lives and transforms them into masterpieces. Like a Japanese artisan reshaping an ugly stump into breathtaking art, God works patiently on us. The old wood doesn't disappear—it's redeemed, reshaped, repurposed. Some imperfections remain as testimonies of where we've been, but they no longer define us. When you accepted Christ, the Holy Spirit began His refining work. This process takes time—sometimes years—but God never abandons His creation. Today, consider what areas of your life God is currently reshaping. Trust that the Potter knows exactly what He's creating, even when the process feels uncomfortable.

Day 2: Living Water for Thirsty Souls
Reading: John 4:7-15; Isaiah 55:1-3
Devotional: Jesus offered the Samaritan woman something the world could never provide: living water that eternally satisfies. Like her, we often return to wells that leave us thirsty—success, relationships, possessions, recognition. Solomon had everything yet found it meaningless without God. The woman had five husbands seeking fulfillment. What wells are you drawing from? Jesus doesn't condemn our thirst; He redirects it toward Himself. The living water He offers becomes a spring within us, continuously refreshing and overflowing. Salvation isn't just fire insurance—it's abundant life now. Stop carrying heavy water pots to empty wells. Drink deeply from Christ today and discover the satisfaction your soul has been craving.

Day 3: Conviction Without Condemnation
Reading: John 4:16-26; Romans 8:1-4
Devotional: Jesus knew everything about the woman at the well—her failures, compromises, and broken relationships. Yet He didn't shame her; He invited transformation. This is conviction, not condemnation. God doesn't wag His finger, waiting to punish us. He lovingly exposes sin because He wants freedom for us, not bondage. Sin isn't just "bad behavior"—it's chains keeping us from abundant life. When Jesus confronts our sin, it's an act of love, like a surgeon removing cancer. The woman's response reveals the difference: she ran to tell others about the One who knew her completely yet loved her fully. Today, allow the Holy Spirit to convict you in love, knowing there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

Day 4: Encounters That Change Everything
Reading: John 4:27-30, 39-42; Acts 9:1-19
Devotional: True encounters with Jesus leave us irrevocably changed. The Samaritan woman abandoned her water pot—symbol of her old life—and became an evangelist. Saul became Paul. Fishermen became apostles. Nobody meets Jesus and remains the same. This isn't emotional manipulation or temporary inspiration; it's supernatural transformation. The woman didn't leave perfect, but she left different. She still had a past, but now she had hope and purpose. Have you truly encountered Jesus, or just heard about Him? An authentic encounter produces fruit—changed priorities, new desires, transformed relationships. If you're unchanged, perhaps you've only heard stories about Jesus rather than meeting Him personally. Seek a genuine encounter today.

Day 5: Seeing Through Heaven's Eyes
Reading: 1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 9:35-38
Devotional: As we draw closer to Christ, His vision becomes ours. We begin seeing people as He sees them—valuable, loved, worthy of redemption. The Samaritan woman was an outcast, yet Jesus saw someone worth crossing cultural boundaries to reach. God's dreams become our dreams; His priorities reshape ours. Things once important fade while eternal matters sharpen into focus. You start recognizing the urgency of sharing Christ because you see others through His eyes of compassion. This transformation isn't forced—it's the natural result of intimacy with Jesus. Today, ask God to give you His eyes for the people around you. Who has He placed in your path that needs to hear about living water?
Reflection Question for the Week: What old "water pots" is God asking you to leave behind so you can fully embrace the new life He's offering?

For further discussion or questions about discipleship, contact: discipleship@cliffviewchurch.org