Welcome to my Priority One series of blog entries. Each week on Active Rain I start my week with a post about the Christian walk, or something from the Word of God that has been encouragement to me. I am late with my post this week as I like to post my blog entries late Saturday night so you can share these Priority One posts with me on Sundays. Nevertheless, God IS first; and Sunday or not, I am starting my week with a Priority One post!
We just had an intensive week of meetings at my church this past week. Kicking off on Sunday, we had meetings twice daily Monday through Saturday (10am-12 AND 7pm-9pm plus) and wrapped up this Sunday. That was a lot of meetings; and as a member of the Support Team at church, I attended every one of them.
It is an interesting thing, though. Two weeks ago, my Priority One post was about Finding Rest, and last week was about Expectation. The Lord was assuredly preparing me physically (to make sure I was adequately rested beforehand) as well as mentally (to be prepared to receive). In spite of thenumber of hours spent outside of the normal routine, much was accomplished during my available work day.
And aside from my physical tiredness once again, I am feeling refreshed and renewed in my spirit. I think sometimes we have to be a bit over-tired for NEW ideas to penetrate our OLD ways of thinking!
Renewal: to restore or replenish, to revive; to reestablish or recover (youth, strength, etc.), to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again
This is very closely related to Refreshing: to provide new vigor and energy by rest, food, etc. , to make fresh again; reinvigorate or cheer (a person, the mind, spirits, etc.), to become fresh or vigorous again; revive, restore, repair, renovate, renew.
God has a lot to say about Renewal. Of course, after creation, I believe Renewal is the mainstay of his business in the lives of men. His first act of renewal in us is our salvation in Christ Jesus (2Cor. 5:17) by the power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
But God's busines of renewal goes beyond our salvation:
- He renews our strength Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:1, Job 29:20
- He renews our mind Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23
- He renews our inward man Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:9-10
- He renews our spirit Psalm 51:10
- He renews the face of the whole earth! Psalm 104:30
Acts 3:19 tells us that times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
So as we enter this NEW week, I pray that you will find time (and MAKE time) to BE in the presence of the Lord. For it is in His presence that we will find these times of refreshing and receive renewal for our minds, bodies, souls, and spirits.
Have a great week, and join me as I put God first in everything...He is my Priority One!
For further study: We can also receive great refreshing from others: Romans 15:32, 1 Corinthians 16:18, 2 Corinthians 7:13, 2 Timothy 1:16, Philemon 1:7, 20
Be Blessed!
Visit me on my blog during the week as I share information about the real estate market and life and living around Windsor and its surrounding towns in Hartford County, Connecticut.
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