Renewal

April 4th – Ephesians 4:1

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Ephesians 4:1

When we receive Jesus as our Savior we receive a calling to walk away from our old, sinful lifestyles, and walk worthy of our new calling. And what is our new calling? To live life in a manner that is consistent with the high standards and values of the Christian faith. It means intentionally choosing to die to self daily. Instead walking in obedience to God and following the example of Jesus Christ. This includes living a life of humility, love, and forgiveness as our Lord did. For as Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” When we surrender our own desires and plans, allowing Christ to live in and through us, we walk worthy of our calling. And that in turn leads to a life centered on God and His purposes, rather than our own.

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April 3rd – Colossians 3:11

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Colossians 3:11

With inclusivity being the word of the day, there is only One who welcomes all to join His family. And that is God. Regardless of our ethnic, social, or cultural background, the Lord invites all to come to Him and receive His free gift of salvation. One of the most radical things Jesus Himself did was to reach out to the outcasts of the day. Eagerly the Lord loved the unlovable. These included tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers. And you and me. That’s the beauty and awesomeness of God’s grace. He extends it to all. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, when we come before Him in true repentance, God forgives. Because the inclusiveness of God isn’t rooted in political correctness. Instead it’s rooted in His love for all people and His desire to reconcile us to Himself. This is why the message of the Gospel is good news for all people, and why the invitation to follow Jesus is open to anyone who is willing to receive it.

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April 2nd – 2 Corinthians 4:16

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2 Corinthians 4:16

Being personally chosen by Jesus to live and work with Him in His ministry was truly an honor. But it also came with it’s own dangers. Paul experienced beatings, imprisonment, scorn, and hate. Yet despite it all, Paul never gave in to despair. And he encourages us all to do the same. Even though Paul suffered physically for sharing the gospel, spiritually, he grew stronger everyday. How? Because of the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, as they seek to follow God’s will and live according to his commandments. From the moment we are born, our physical bodies begin to decay. But even though those bodies may age and deteriorate over time, our spiritual selves can continue to grow and develop as we deepen our relationship with God. We can be like Paul who encourages us to persevere in our faith despite the challenges and hardships we may face in life.

 

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April 1st – Romans 12:2

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Romans 12:2

As we mature in Christ, our attitudes, opinions, and values are influenced less by the world and more by the Holy Spirit working within us. The outcome is spiritual discernment and the ability to judge what is good and pleasing to God. A transformed, renewed mind resulting in a new way of thinking. Which then leads to a change in behavior and a lifestyle that glorifies the Lord. But to get such a mind we need to dig into God’s Word daily, meditating on it day and night. And we need to have a strong prayer life, constantly communicating with the Lord. Being transformed in this way allows us to know God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives. But such a transformation isn’t easy. It requires a commitment to seeking God and being open to change. It involves surrendering our thoughts, desires, and will to God. And most of all, allowing Him to work in and through us for His kingdom and glory.

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March 30th – Psalm 126:5

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Psalm126:5

Easter is one of my favorite times of year. Because it’s a season of reflection, renewal, and rebirth. Christians around the world celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While equally joyous Jews, celebrate the wonderful feast of Passover, thanking God for their freedom from Egypt. Both celebrations are rooted in joy and gratitude. Psalm 126 is also rooted in joy and gratitude. And contains some lessons we can reflect on as we commemorate this most holy holiday. First, is gratitude for all of God’s blessings, and how He has delivered us from past troubles. Next is perseverance in difficult times. For if we remain steadfast and persevere, God will take the seeds of our tears and make them blossom into enormous joy. Finally, trusting in God’s promises. God never goes back on His Word. So we can have faith that as our heavenly Father, God will always provide for the needs of His children.

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June 9th – Isaiah 40:31

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Isaiah 40:31

Each day is filled with its own challenges. And it doesn’t take much for those challenges to overwhelm us. But for those who wait on the Lord, help is at hand. Because when we turn to Him in our times of need, God is there. He is there to strengthen, renew, and carry us through. Our Father in heaven will never forsake us, nor leave us to fight our battle alone. Isaiah compares God’s loving care to that of an eagle. Mighty warriors who protect their young, eagles carry their eaglets away from danger. They soar high above the clouds where the sun shines and no storm rages. And just like that eagle, God carries us on His wings providing all we need to soar through even the toughest of times. No matter what we face, God promises to those whom He loves, strength to run without tiring, and walking without growing weary.

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April 22nd – Mark 1:35

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Mark 1:35

Everyone needs a little me time. Time away from everyone and everything. Our Lord and Savior was no different. Everywhere He went people swarmed Him. And so to refresh and reflect, Jesus turned to God in prayer. Throughout the gospel, before preparing to take on God’s calling, we often find Jesus slipping away alone. Off for some valuable one on one time with the Father. And we should follow our Lord’s example. For we cannot answer God’s call if we have nothing left to give. Which is why it’s so important that we too, recharge our batteries. And we do that by spending time with our Heavenly Father. Through prayer, His Word, and God’s still small voice, we have all the strength and energy we need to accomplish His will. For like Dr. Charles Stanley says, “We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught. But after spending time alone with God, we find He injects into our bodies, energy, power, and strength!”

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October 31st – Isaiah 44:3

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Isaiah 44:3

When we are dirty, tired, and in need of a pick me up, nothing is better than a good shower. The water refreshes and invigorates us as it washes away the grime and weariness. And the energizing we receive, is similar to the restoration we get from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Knowing His children are thirsty and in need of rejuvenation, God pours His Spirit upon us. A shower of abundance, the Spirit flows over us, cleansing, empowering, and giving the sustenance needed for life. And our Father does so with the goal of His goodness and righteousness washing through us to a parched world. Because everyone who drinks of God’s water will never thirst again, for it flows from the spring of eternal life! (John 4:13-14)

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March 29th – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

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1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Sanctification is the process by which God sets us apart from nonbelievers, to become holy. A task we cannot accomplish on our own. So God sends to us the Holy Spirit, who through His indwelling, is constantly working on us. Yet the goal of becoming reflections of Jesus can be a slow process. But if we don’t give up and completely trust God, change will happen. For we serve a God who is faithful in all things. And whatever He calls us to do, He will also provide the means to make it happen. So on that glorious day when we see Jesus face to face, we can hear Him say, “Well done My good and faithful servant!”

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March 22nd – Philippians 3:13

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Philippians 3:13

The Christian life has often been referred to running a race with the goal of becoming perfect reflections of Jesus. And  the great apostle Paul knew the importance of pressing on and the difficulty of reaching the finish line. For along the way we have setbacks, and feel the pull of fleshly living. But no matter the circumstances we face, we need to keep striving forward. For our reward is far greater than anything we could ever face in this world. The trophy we receive is not only seeing our Savior face to face, but spending an eternity by His side!

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