WATCHWORD:
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Every God-begotten person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
Meditation:
Never Give Up
Without dredging up some of the less comfortable thoughts and feelings that we had during our time deep in the recesses of the pandemic, I think we would agree that we learned some things from that experience. Maybe we now place a higher value on social interaction, or perhaps we learned something about pacing ourselves, and considering the welfare of others.
Somehow, despite what we have learned, our tendency is still to push ahead on our own limited strengths, and, when our reserves are exhausted, only then will we trust God. Often it is the dark times of our lives that brings us to the door where Jesus stands, waiting to bring renewal into our lives with such good things as forgiveness and redemption, along with joy and humor.
Believers in Jesus are being renewed daily by the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, as reflected in the writings of Paul to the Romans and the Corinthians. Believers, those who have committed themselves to Christ as Lord and Savior, have the Spirit of Christ within, and are renewed as we bring those dark chapters and lay them at His feet in prayer. Renewed.
How would you describe your experience of being renewed? For me it would be like having a refreshing night’s sleep and waking ready to face the day, knowing that God is in charge. In all probability, I would break out in a praise song for my Lord. Oh, and one more thing, I would leave yesterday’s worries right there, in yesterday.
How would you describe that feeling to someone who does not have Christ in their life? You know that’s part of our story, our witness, our being Christ to the world. Here is our formula for life: Lord and Savior = Discipleship = Sharing. You know that joy you have? Don’t keep it to yourself, pass it on! Joy, like love, is always for sharing. Amen
Morning Prayer:
Lord, we ask today for more of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, it can be easy for us to become consumed with the anxiety and the sameness that surround us in life, but we know that just as Your eye is indeed on the sparrow, so also do You care for and see us. Teach us today to become more reliant on You. Bring us into a greater discernment of how You operate, so that we may come into a deeper understanding that all we see with natural eyes is not all that is. Today we ask for eyes to see Your hand in all matters, and hearts open to Your work. And, Lord, we know the joy that lies within each one of us. Help us to sense that, celebrate that, and to pass it on to others who may not know You and the gifts that await Your presence in their lives. With gratitude, we offer this prayer in the Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
