Strength From A Renewable Source

Strength From A Renewable Source
John R. Petrilli

Springtime is a season of renewal. The skies are renewed by the solar light of longer days. The air is renewed with freshening fragrances. The ground is renewed by spring rains. The climate is renewed with warmer temperatures. The waterways are renewed as aquatic life returns to the once-frozen lakes and streams. The landscape bursts forth with new greenery and flowers of a thousand shades and shapes. Is it a coincidence that we celebrate the renewal-oriented holiday known as Easter in the spring? And regardless of what commercial interests have in mind, this blessed holiday commemorates the physical and spiritual return of life from the dead, the very essence of renewal.
With this emphasis and focus on rebirth and renewal, it is only natural that we take stock of the Source of our spiritual reserves. What constitutes true personal spiritual renewal? Let’s take a walk together through God’s Word to learn some aspects of this foundational area of the Christian life.

PERSONAL RENEWAL COMES TO THOSE WHO HABITUALLY LINGER IN GOD’S PRESENCE. Isaiah 40:28-31 ; Psalms 103:5

We live in a day and generation that places the highest of premiums on energy conservation. Thus, the need for finding and maximizing renewable sources of energy. Oil continues to approach a level that is cost prohibitive, causing many of America’s best minds to be tasked with locating alternative reservoirs of energy that will not only power the economy but also be recycled for additional usage. Again and again we return to the fuel pump, realizing that without fuel we have no power.

This same principle operates in our spiritual life. Isaiah writes about this spiritual dynamic. Like a vehicle, we must regularly refill our spiritual tanks with the life-giving energy of the Spirit of the living God. The Lord Himself is the Source of our strength. As we make it our habit to quietly and prayerfully spend time in God’s presence, His Word will infuse us with the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 3:16). Indy champs capture the checkered flag by wisely using their fuel and keeping their tires changed. Likewise, we will win the race of faith as we keep our spiritual tanks full and our spiritual tires well-treaded. Like a long-distance runner, we imbibe the power of God that enables us to capably perform at a high spiritual level.

PERSONAL RENEWAL IS THE BY-PRODUCT OF GENUINE REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD. Psalms 51:10

David blew it big time, but had great difficulty coming to terms with what he’d done. Sometimes God has to send along someone to help us face up to the truth of our personal failures. That man was a prophet by the name of Nathan. Nathan used creative storytelling to directly confront David about his twin sins of adultery and murder. After over a year of drowning in unresolved guilt and endless sleepless nights, David finally comes around and admits his colossal failures. The confession is painfully honest and thorough as he details both what he had done and his deep sorrow for having offended God so greatly. The Lord heard his prayer of genuine, heartfelt admission of guilt, and was pleased to answer the king’s request to renew his inner spiritual life. He experienced the most wonderful forgiveness, and all the joys and freedoms that attend such restoration. His heart and life were returned to a “right” state of affairs. Before confession his heart continually condemned him of his wrongful actions, but having been forgiven and cleansed, he now knew he was “in the right” with God. His personal renewal was not only spiritual, but physical as well, as we see later in the Psalm that his broken bones are healed and his sin-bound tongue is loosed to proclaim the praises of the One Who liberated him.

PERSONAL RENEWAL TRANSFORMS THE THOUGHT LIFE OF ITS RECIPIENTS. Romans 12:2

According to one old maxim, “You are what you eat”. I’d like to alter that maxim a tad bit, and change it to, “You are what you think”. Our thought life determines the course of every other aspect of our lives. If we take God’s advice and fill our minds with godly, wholesome thoughts, we’ll enjoy His peace (see Phil. 4:6-8). As we occupy our minds with the truths of God’s Word we’ll find the path to personal purity (Psalms 119:11) and the road to personal prosperity (Psalms 1:2-3). Paul likens our minds to a giant computer; they can be scanned and purged of any spiritual viruses that have embedded themselves there. As we periodically place our thought under the scanner of God’s Word, He’ll faithfully reveal where we’ve slipped up and then get the needed repairs. While it’s a good thing to renew our bodies with nourishing food and regular exercise, it’s of utmost importance that we also renew our thought life by bathing our minds in the Word of God. Exposure of this kind will bring about entirely new ways to think about ourselves, others, and life in general. “We are what we think!”

PERSONAL RENEWAL PROGRESSIVELY RESTORES US TO THE IMAGE OF GOD. Colossians 3:10

We often ask children, “So who do you want to be like when you grow up?” But the question is till appropriate to pose to ourselves as adults. Just who DO we want to be like when we “grow up”. As Christians the answer to that question is short and sweet. Jesus. We want others to hear him in our voice, see Him in our eyes, experience His touch through our compassion, and feel Him in our touch. We want to be like Jesus because He’s the only Person truly worthy of emulating. While it’s OK to model ourselves after a mature Christian, our ultimate example and source is Jesus Himself. God’s in the business of making us just like His Son (Romans 8:29). As we engage is daily renewal at His feet, we take on His likeness more and more. It’s like that when you spend a lot of time with someone you love. And that transformation makes us grow in such character qualities as righteousness and genuine holiness. God takes away the habits and attitudes that are “unright”, and replaces them with “righteous” attitudes. God removes our unholy motives and desires, subbing His purity in their place.

PERSONAL RENEWAL IS AN INVISIBLE YET DAILY WORK OF GRACE. 2 Cor. 4:16-18

Some people are overly obsessed with how the aging process is eroding their outward appearance. But that’s pretty much an investment in a losing battle. While we can and should look our very best at all times, there is no fountain of youth that can reverse the inevitable course and inescapable consequences of growing older. The good news is that this equation doesn’t apply to our spiritual lives. In fact, the opposite is the case. According to Paul, the more we age outwardly, the younger and more youthful we become inwardly. God is busily at work renewing our inner person, that part of us that’s destined to live with Him forever. Is that cool or what? No matter how many wrinkles line our faces and how many joints become stiffened, we can rejoice in the “inside job” God is performing on us, a job that will last forever!

PERSONAL RENEWAL BEGINS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. Titus 3:5

So far we’ve talked about what can be said of those who already know the Savior as their renewable source of daily strength. But what about you? Do you know Him? If not, would you like to? There’s no need to drag yourself through life without peace, energy and joy. You can have all three and much more once you’ve establish a living, dynamic relationship with the God Who created you and loves you. That love was graphically demonstrated 2,000 years ago when He told His Son to sojourn to our planetary home to live, love, and then die for our sins. And speaking of rebirth and renewal, how about that third day when Jesus came out of that grave then ascended to Heaven? That’s the same kind of resurrection power God offers to you, right here, right now. Don’t let another Easter go by without knowing this Great God and His wonderful Son. Get connected with your one true Source, and enjoy a whole new life as He empowers you to live and to do His good pleasure!