A New Year, A New Creation: Beginning the Year in Christ
Andre Dugger • January 1, 2026
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A New Year, A New Creation: Beginning the Year in Christ
January 1, 2026 | André K. Dugger
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)
The arrival of a new year carries a quiet sense of possibility. Calendars reset, routines shift, and resolutions are made with hope for change. Yet Scripture points you to a deeper beginning than a date on the calendar. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” The new year is not simply an opportunity to try harder; it is a reminder of what is already true because you belong to Christ.
In Jesus, your identity has been transformed. The old life marked by guilt, self-reliance, and aimless striving no longer defines you. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has made you a new creation at the core of who you are. As the year begins, you are invited to step forward not carrying the weight of past failures, but walking in the freedom of grace. The power to live differently does not come from stronger resolve, but from a renewed heart anchored in Christ.
Beginning the year strong means grounding your days in this gospel reality. Honoring Christ daily starts with remembering who you are and whose you are. You wake each morning as a new creation, called to live with purpose, holiness, and trust. When temptations arise or old patterns resurface, you are not enslaved to them. The Spirit of God lives within you, enabling obedience, shaping character, and producing fruit that reflects Christ to the world.
A Christ-honoring year is built one faithful day at a time. As you order your priorities; your time, relationships, work, and rest, you are invited to ask whether they align with your new life in Christ. Scripture, prayer, and obedience are not religious tasks to check off, but lifelines that keep your heart centered on Jesus. Growth may feel slow, but transformation is certain because God is at work in you.
The new year will bring unknown challenges and unexpected blessings, but your foundation remains secure. You are not defined by what you resolve to do, but by what Christ has already done. As you walk into the months ahead, live confidently as a new creation. Leave what belongs to the old life behind, and step forward in faith, trusting that the God who made you a new creation will faithfully guide you, strengthen you, and use your life for His glory throughout the year ahead.
- Reflection Question:
As you begin this new year, what old habits, mindsets, or priorities do you need to leave behind so that your daily life more fully reflects the new creation you are in Christ?
- Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making me new through Jesus Christ. As I step into this new year, help me to live out the reality of the new life You have given me. Give me strength to leave behind old patterns that do not honor You, and grant me wisdom to order my days in obedience and faith. Shape my heart through Your Word, guide my decisions by Your Spirit, and help my life reflect Your grace and truth in every season ahead. May this year be marked by faithfulness, growth, and a deeper love for Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Walking Freely in God's Word January 5, 2026 | André K. Dugger “I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed.” Psalm 119:45-46 (CSB) God’s Word does not restrict you; it sets you free. The psalmist says, “ I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. ” Sin promises freedom but leads to bondage ( John 8:34 ). By contrast, when you submit to God’s Word, you discover true liberty. His commands are not chains but guardrails that protect you from destruction and guide you toward abundant life. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “ You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free ” ( John 8:32 ). Walking in God’s Word places you in “ an open place ,” a life of freedom where you can move without fear of stumbling into ruin. Studying His precepts equips you to discern what is good and what is harmful, enabling you to live with confidence and peace. Instead of shrinking under the weight of guilt or confusion, you can walk boldly, knowing that God’s truth lights your path. The psalmist also declares, “ I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. ” When you are grounded in God’s Word, you can stand before anyone; whether friends, skeptics, or even rulers; with courage and conviction. Think of Daniel, who stood unashamed before Nebuchadnezzar, or Paul, who boldly proclaimed Christ before governors and kings. Their confidence came not from eloquence or status, but from their unwavering trust in God’s Word. You may never stand in a royal court, but every day you have opportunities to speak of God’s truth, in your workplace, in your home, in your community. The challenge is the same: will you speak boldly or remain silent in shame? When you study God’s Word and delight in His truth, shame loses its grip. The Spirit gives you boldness to proclaim Christ without fear ( Acts 4:31 ). True freedom is not doing whatever you want but joyfully living in obedience to God’s Word and courageously speaking His truth without shame. Reflection Question: Do you live in the freedom of God’s Word, and are you willing to speak it boldly, even when the world may oppose you? Prayer: Father, teach me to walk in the freedom of Your Word. Give me boldness to speak Your truth without shame, whether before kings or neighbors. May my life reflect the liberty and courage found in You. In Jesus’s name, amen.
Trusting God’s Word in the Face of Taunts December 29, 2025 | André K. Dugger “Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever.” Psalm 119:42-44 (CSB) When you place your trust in God’s Word, you are equipped to stand firm even when others mock, question, or oppose you. The psalmist says, “ Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. ” The world will always have scoffers who ridicule your faith or challenge your hope in Christ. But you do not need clever arguments or human wisdom; your answer flows from God’s Word, which never fails. Just as Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations by saying, “ It is written ” ( Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 ), you too can stand firm by trusting and speaking the truth of Scripture. The psalmist’s prayer continues: “ Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. ” This reveals a deep dependence on God. Without His Word, you would be left powerless, unable to speak truth or endure trials. But with His Word hidden in your heart and on your lips, you have both strength and hope. God’s judgments, His perfect decrees and decisions, are your foundation. When you cling to them, you are not swayed by shifting opinions or hostile voices. Finally, the psalmist declares: “ I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever. ” This is not a short-term commitment or a passing devotion. It is a lifelong resolve, rooted in love for God and trust in His Word. In Christ, you see the perfect example of this obedience, Jesus always did the will of His Father, even unto death ( Philippians 2:8 ). His obedience secures your salvation, and now, by His Spirit, you are empowered to walk in faithful obedience as well. The taunts of the enemy and the mockery of the world will come, but they cannot silence the truth of God’s Word. When your hope is in His judgments, and your heart is resolved to obey, you will have the confidence to endure and the wisdom to answer. Reflection Question: When others question or mock your faith, do you answer with your own words or with the unshakable truth of God’s Word? Prayer: Father, help me to trust in Your Word when I am taunted or opposed. Keep the truth ever on my lips, and strengthen my resolve to obey You faithfully, forever and ever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God With You: Carrying the Hope of Christmas into Everyday Faith December 25, 2025 | André K. Dugger “But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:12-14 (CSB) “But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!” Luke 2:10-14 (CSB) Christmas announces more than a beautiful story; it declares a life-altering reality. When the angel spoke to the shepherds, fear was replaced with good news, and silence was shattered by praise. The Savior was not born in a palace but laid in a manger; humble, accessible, and intentional. God chose nearness over spectacle so that you would never doubt His willingness to meet you where you are. Christmas reminds you that God stepped into human history, not to impress you, but to redeem you. The angel’s words, “ a Savior was born for you ,” make Christmas deeply personal. Jesus did not come as a general solution for abstract problems; He came for you. In your weariness, your routines, your quiet faithfulness, and even your hidden struggles, Christ enters with good news of great joy. That joy is not seasonal or circumstantial. It is rooted in the truth that the Messiah, the Lord, has come, and peace is now possible because God has acted decisively on your behalf. John’s Gospel takes the manger and stretches its meaning into everyday life. When you receive Jesus and believe in His name, you are given the right to be called a child of God. Christmas is not only about Christ coming to earth; it is about Christ making His home in you. The Word became flesh and dwelt among humanity so that faith would never be theoretical. Grace and truth now walk with you into ordinary days; into conversations, decisions, temptations, and acts of obedience that no one else sees. Living the Christian life means carrying Christmas forward. You are called to reflect the humility of Christ, choosing obedience over recognition. You are invited to live with wonder, praising God not only when the angels sing, but when the work is slow and the road feels long. Because Jesus came near, you can live courageously, resisting fear and embracing faith. Because peace was announced at His birth, you can pursue peace in your relationships and extend grace where it is undeserved. Christmas proclaims that God is with you. Daily Christian living responds by trusting Him, worshiping Him, and walking in the joy of knowing that the Savior who came in a manger now reigns as Lord in your life. Reflection Question: How does knowing that Jesus came near, entering ordinary human life, shape the way you live out your faith in your daily routines, relationships, and responses to fear or difficulty? Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Christmas and for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be my Savior and Lord. Thank You that You did not remain distant, but came near; entering my world with grace, truth, and love. Help me to live each day in light of this good news. When fear tries to take hold, remind me of the joy announced by the angels. When pride or distraction creeps in, lead me back to the humility of the manger. Shape my heart to reflect Your peace, and empower me to live as Your child in obedience, worship, and faithful trust. May my words, actions, and attitudes point others to the hope found in Christ alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
