RENEWAL

Forty years ago, I joined the military. At Bootcamp I gained twenty-five pounds, and could run a mile without really being winded. Physically, I was in better condition than I have ever been before (or since). It was the result of good food, proper exercise and a supervised regimen. I felt like a new person. God has a plan of renewal for Christians, and His plan deals with our whole being, body, soul and spirit. Let me share just three steps in God's plan. First

A RENEWED SPIRIT (Psa 51:10)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."
The word "clean" could be translated pure or moral. Unfortunately, we all have our times of failure. Here David had committed a grievous sin and was asking God to cleanse and restore him. Perhaps you need God's cleansing today. Call upon Him and let Him restore your spirit. David asked for a "steadfast" or fixed spirit, with which he could serve God acceptably. He was aware that he had become indifferent in his attitude and was in need of renovation Only God can renew, and like David we can see that renewal in our lives today if we call out to Him. As Christians, we are sealed with God's Spirit until He comes to take us to Himself so we need not plead with God to keep His Spirit in us as David had to plead (Psa 51:11). We do need to ask Him to make us more like the Lord Jesus Christ each day. A steadfast spirit, fixed on God and His will brings, peace, joy and contentment. Along with a renewed spirit, God's plan involves

A RENEWED STRENGTH (Isa 40:31)
"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
How easy it is to be become discouraged and weary in our Christian walk. So often Satan will beat us down and try to take advantage. Our own flesh will fail us and tell us we just can't go on. It's times like that we need to remember this verse. "Wait" or look up to the Lord, let Him be your strength, let Him be your confidence and remember His promise, "My strength is made perfect in your weakness." (2 Cor 12:9). God's strength is more than ample to meet every need and help us to do His will, His way. God will cause up to "mount up", that is ascend or rise up to every situation, as we rely on Him. Let His supernatural power work in your life today. When Satan, the world or the weakness of your own flesh says you can't, God says you can. Then finally

A RENEWED MIND (Rom 12:2)
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Christians are in the world but we are not to be of the world (1 John 2:15). In other words, we are not to live according to the style or manner of this present age. It is well said, "The world wants us to conform to its will, so it tries to change our mind by exerting pressure from without. But the Holy Spirit changes our mind by releasing power from within." Believers should be in a continual process of change from the inside out. A change that works it's way into the visible or outward lifestyle. It is then we prove God' s perfect and acceptable will. Let God work in you according to His will, through His Spirit, and you can have victory over the world. God's renewal is our blessing. As we begin the New Year it is a good time to look for ways we can acceptably serve God to His honor and glory.

Dr. Charles Swindoll tells of a father who came home one night, tired and weary. His exuberant, energetic son met him at the door. The son wanted the father to play. The father suddenly had an idea that he thought would allow him some time to relax. Seeing a large picture of a globe in the paper, he asked his son to get a pair of scissors. The son got the scissors and the father cut the globe into little pieces thinking it would take some time for the son to put it together, and that would give him time to rest. The son went into the other room with the pieces, but was back in no time. The father asked how he was able to put the puzzle together so quickly. "It was easy," said the son, "on the back was a picture of a man, and when I put the man together, the world came together." There is a great deal of truth in this little story. But how can man be put together? Only God is able to do it. The good news is He wants to take shattered, torn and battered lives and make them new. God is a God of renewal. He can take a lost sinner and restore him to new lif~, new hope and new joy. Someone wrote, "The soul that comes to Jesus through failure, shame, or pain, by His wondrous love and mercy may soar as high again." Are you troubled by some difficulty in your Christian life today? Remember these verses and let God show you the way to overcome to His honor and glory. God bless.