RENEW AND RECHARGE
Richard Harris
Today's Scripture: “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:23, NLT
Theme: Allow the Holy Spirit to help you replace what you consume, how you speak, where you go, and who you spend time with.
UPDATED VERSION
We spend a lot of time updating, renewing, recharging, realigning, converting, enhancing, strengthening, reviewing, even replacing our electronic devices so that we can keep current. You could say that we have an intimate relationship with those things that seem to make our world easier. The last thing we do at night is plug in our phone, iPad, watch, and all those necessary devices that get us through the next day. We treat our electronics with a kind of reverence as we enjoy their output. Don’t you wish we had some kind of plug-in device to charge and renew ourselves every day?
WE ACTUALLY DO
Based on today’s scripture, God wants us to renew ourselves in thought, knowledge, strength, attitude and generosity. He can help us replace and renew what we consume and what we do on any given day. Like a battery, we need to connect into His spiritual charging station. God’s presence and power gives us strength and guidance. Those that apply this daily have found joyful hope, patience in affliction, and remain faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12, ESV).
MATURE AND ENRICH
In our daily walk with our Lord, there are many charging points upon which we can rely to retain His positive energy. Here are a few:
Spend time with and follow Jesus. Matthew 16:24
Get close to God, then you’ll move away from sin. James 4:8
Remember, God sent a helper. You never have to face life alone. John 14:16
Give mercy and grace. God provides both to us. Mark 11:25, Luke 6:36
Make it Personal: With a daily charge from spending time with God, the Holy Spirit renews our thoughts and attitudes. Focusing on spiritual growth and renewal increases our ability to obey Him. When we translate our knowledge into practice, we can become like the Energizer Bunny; fully charged with an insatiable appetite to follow the Lord.
Pray: We thank You, Lord, for daily renewal of our thoughts and attitudes. We are refreshed with Your spiritual energy. You strengthen and guide our steady walk toward righteousness. Yours is the true power as we remain faithful in prayer. We ask for forgiveness of our human failings; knowing that time spent with You bolsters our reserve. Help us to replace things that cause us to deviate from Your path of righteousness. We thank you, Lord, for Your guiding hand changing our outdated charging practices to renewed ones. All this we thank, ask, praise, and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: 1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV, John 14:21 NIV, Luke 2:52 NIV, Isaiah 28:6 NIV
Weekly Memory Verse: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30, ESV