I Met Jesus… and I Was Never the Same

Times Of Refreshing Daily Devotional

Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026

Topic: The Jesus I Met Along the Way (7)

Focus: I Met Jesus… and I Was Never the Same

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Theme:

Discovering the heart of Jesus through a lifetime of walking with Him.

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Key Verse:

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” — Philippians 3:10 (NIV)”

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Devotional:

When I first came to Jesus, I thought He had simply come to improve my life. I wanted His help, His blessings, His guidance, and His answers to my prayers. And He graciously gave me more than I deserved. But as the years passed, I realized that the greatest gift Jesus gave me was not what He placed in my hands—it was what He accomplished in my heart. He changed the way I saw God. He changed the way I saw people. He changed the way I responded to pain, success, failure, and disappointment. He taught me to forgive more freely, love more deeply, trust more completely, and hope more confidently. He did not simply make my life better; He made me different.

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Scripture Reading:

• Philippians 3:8–10 — I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 — If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

• John 17:3 — This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

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Refreshing for the Day:

As I look back over the journey, I remember the Savior who never walked away from me, the Shepherd who patiently led me, the Friend who knew my heart, the King who served with humility, the Teacher who renewed my mind, and the Lord whose faithfulness never failed. Each encounter revealed another part of His heart, and every step I took with Him changed mine. I have learned that following Jesus is not about reaching a place where we no longer need Him. It is about growing to love Him more with each passing day. The longer I have walked with Him, the more I have discovered that knowing Christ is life’s greatest treasure.

There are still prayers I pray and dreams I carry. There are still challenges ahead and lessons yet to learn. But if someone asked me what the greatest blessing of my life has been, my answer would not be a possession, an achievement, or even an answered prayer. It would simply be this: I met Jesus. And because I met Him… I was never the same. Stay Refreshed!

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Note This:

Jesus did not come merely to improve your life. He came to transform it, so that through knowing Him, you become more like Him.

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Responsibility:

Spend time today reflecting on your journey with Jesus. Thank Him not only for the prayers He has answered, but also for the person He is shaping you to become. Then ask yourself, “Do I desire Jesus Himself more than the blessings He gives?”

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Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me through every season of my life. Thank You for Your patience, Your mercy, Your truth, Your faithfulness, and Your unfailing love. Thank You for changing my heart and teaching me to walk in Your ways. Above every blessing You have given me, I treasure the privilege of knowing You. Continue to draw me closer, transform me into Your likeness, and let my life reflect Your beauty until the day I see You face to face. In Your precious name, Amen!

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Prophetic Declaration:

I declare that my greatest treasure is Jesus Christ. My life is being transformed by His presence, renewed by His Word, and sustained by His grace. I will continue to grow in the knowledge of my Savior, reflect His character, and walk faithfully with Him all the days of my life. My heart belongs to Him, my future is secure in Him, and my testimony will always be this: I met Jesus, and I was never the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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As always, thank you for reading and until next time. May today’s Times of Refreshing refresh, encourage and empower you! For previous devotionals, please visit: www.thefountspring.org