Week Forty-Three, 2024
Renew your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23). Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)
We have all had it happen. The remote doesn’t work. The garage door won’t go up, and the list goes on. The solution is usually to recharge or replace the remote control batteries. Our spiritual life is like that.
In God’s economy, there are no new upgrades required every three months. No new models release every year. No recalls are made due to design malfunctions. No, we simply need to be plugged into the Lord and have our systems recharged by his Word continuously.
We were not created to experience the staggering power of regeneration never to depend on God again. We were created to need His revival continuously as we ebb and flow this side of glorification. Every day we need the Lord to breathe life into our bones that still get dry and weary from sin and failure and weakness and troubles.
At times, we attempt to plug into power outlets we weren’t created for. The result leaves us more depleted and in need of the only One who can revive our depleted hearts. In this society marred by sin, it is the Lord himself who restores and revives; therefore it is necessary for our survival to be plugged into the Word of God. This is no mistake or misstep.
Just as we plug in our phones every day, God has designed our new operating system (Ezekiel 36:25-27) to be daily charged by the ultimate Power Source because, while our heart and flesh may fail, he is the strength of our heart and our portion forever (Psalm 73:26). And this “plugging in” is not a once-daily surge from our quiet time, but a continual sustenance throughout the day.
When we, like Jesus, realize everything in our life flows out of our individual time with the Father, it changes the way we view our schedules and priorities and everything else. We submit to our need for the Holy Spirit to daily recalibrate our hearts, and we plug into him for the grace and strength to survive and thrive in our fallen flesh and fractured world.
As broken people living in a broken culture, our greatest need is to be plugged into the only One who can bring revival in our hearts. And the amazing news is that Jesus came for this purpose—to revive our hearts. He is committed to reviving the hearts he awakened.
So how are your batteries?
Sometimes True Stories
A better place to focus:
Only time will tell if history repeats itself once again, but, until we know one way or the other, our time and energy will be better spent praying for God to intervene and bring peace than worrying over the prospect of war.
After all, Jesus was clear that this world is far from perfect and will remain that way until he returns to establish a new heaven and a new earth to take its place. As such, our job is to help as many people as we can to place their faith in him between now and when his kingdom finally comes in all its glory.
How can you do that job today? Jim Denison
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When they said, “Caesar’s.” Jesus then said, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Then the Pharisees marveled at His words and left Him and went away.
“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s…” but we often forget the second part of His response.
“… and to God the things that are God’s.”
Wow… that means everything. Because it’s all God’s. God created it. God gave it to us. And Jesus reminds us and the Pharisees to give God everything that is His.
That means everything. Not just our money, but our possessions. But not just our possession, but our lives and our livelihoods. We are to give Him everything. All that we are. All that we do. All that we have. All back to God for Him and His glory. For Him and His work. For Him to do with as He pleases. What are you giving back to God?
Marty Stubblefield
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The Church of England is dropping the word church in a quest for relevance. According to a new study, “modern-sounding” words such as community are now in favor.
Quotes You Can Use
Unbelief is a serious sin that doubts God’s character and power. Believe the Word of God! Pastor Edgar Aponte
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in a large group. George Carlin
Today we are a divided country, and Satan is laughing at us because that is exactly what he wants. Dysfunction, mistrust and hatred help his kingdom flourish. We have to realize that we are not fighting against other people. We are fighting against Satan and his kingdom of spiritual darkness. Tony Dungy
Positions are temporary. Ranks and titles are limited. But the way you treat people will always be remembered.
Do everything with a good heart and expect nothing in return and you will never be disappointed. Snoopy
Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important. T.S. Eliot
Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward. Oscar Wilde
The razor blade is sharp, but it can’t cut a tree. The axe is strong but it can’t cut hair.
Everyone is important according to his or her own unique purpose. Never look down on anyone unless you are admiring their shoes.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, but courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill
Never seek revenge. Rotten fruit will also fall by itself.
Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more that the Christ within us. A.W. Tozer
Death is not the end of life; it is only the gateway to eternity. Billy Graham
Hell is real and judgment is coming. Flee sin and run to the Lord. Pastor Edgar Aponte
The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk. Cicero
We often get upset because we think someone is getting by with evil deeds. But sooner or later, their sins will catch up with them. Dan Shock
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank
Knowing and doing are two completely different things. Brenden Schlappi
God knows that fear is born when we focus on the problem or on the power of the enemy. Dan Shock
Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all. Alexander the Great
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