You Already Have What You Need

Being a Christian isn’t about trying harder to behave better; it’s about receiving a new nature and the power to live differently.

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
(2 Peter 1:3)

We live in a land of instant access—from fast food and instant oatmeal to powdered milk and same-day delivery. Even elevators have shaped our expectations. We expect immediate movement, but when nothing happens after a few seconds, we assume something’s broken. That mindset has quietly made its way into our spiritual lives. We want change in our lives but not the process it takes to get there. We want transformation from the inside out but free of any pain and struggle along the way. When God doesn’t work on our timeline, we wonder if something is wrong.

Our verse today is a powerful reminder that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. This power isn’t passive but alive and dynamic, yet it doesn’t come to us through just knowing things about God. It comes through knowing God, an experience that goes beyond facts and our intellect. The Bible doesn’t just tell us truths about God but instead invites us into a relationship with Him where His glory and goodness are experienced together. When you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you possess everything you need to live into your God-given purpose right now.

Unfortunately, many Christians lack the wisdom, confidence, or perseverance to live the life God calls them to because they haven’t learned how to access what God has already placed within them. Being a Christian isn’t about trying harder to behave better; it’s about receiving a new nature. Jesus didn’t come to improve your old self; rather, He came to give you a new one. Though the old nature still pulls at you, the divine nature within gives you power to live differently. If you’re miserable living like the old you while carrying the new nature, that discomfort is actually evidence that God is at work. Transformation begins with the renewing of the mind and unfolds as we learn to live from who we already are in Christ.

Bold Step Challenge:

This week, identify one area where you’ve been trying to change through sheer effort instead of trusting the divine nature within you. Replace striving with surrender. Open God’s Word, claim one promise He has already given you, and live from it.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for giving me everything I need for life and godliness through Jesus. Forgive me for trying to change myself instead of trusting the work You’ve already done within me. Renew my mind, strengthen my faith, and help me live from my new nature rather than my old one. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: Real Transformation

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Ministry Update from Mark

A few weeks ago, my wife, Dee, and I had the privilege of being in Nashville for the NRB International Christian Media Convention, the world’s largest gathering of Christian communicators and ministry professionals. It was a joy reconnecting with old friends, meeting new ministry leaders, and sharing stories of how God is using media to reach people for Christ around the world. Events like NRB are always a reminder that while our platforms may differ, our mission remains the same.

Thank you for praying for our travels and for the work that continues beyond the convention. My prayer is that the many voices and faces who gathered at NRB would remain united in purpose and faithful in calling, using every platform God has entrusted to them to further His good work throughout the world.