Life can be rugged. Sometimes traumatic events are the cause. Sometimes it is the daily grind. We all need a place where we can be renewed, refreshed, and rejuvenated on a regular basis.
First Things First
Before we can receive renewal, we need to be convinced that renewal and rejuvenation is ours right now, right where we need it. Do you believe God wants to refresh you? The Word of God has a lot to say about renewing and rejuvenating His kids. Understanding that God desires to renew us right now and right where we need it is the focus of this first part of the series. This understanding is a necessary focus before I go into practical steps to help experience greater renewal, which I will begin to unpack in Part 2.
Renewed on the Inside
2 Corinthians 4:15-16 (TPT) says:
15 Yes, all things work for your enrichment[a] so that more of God’s marvelous grace will spread to more and more people, resulting in an even greater increase of praise[b] to God, bringing him even more glory!
16 So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day.
Renewal is yours and is connected to God’s grace. Grace is available because of what Christ did for the human race. It is not something we strive to get or earn. Grace supplies, it doesn’t demand.
The grace to be renewed is available on a daily basis.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (TPT) goes on to say:
17 We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison,
Our difficulties can produce an eternal glory that is weightier and more valuable than our temporary troubles!
In this passage we see God is able to make your troubles work FOR you. This is an amazing renewal secret!
Renewed on the Outside
In the 2 Corinthians passage, Paul talks about his outer person wearing out while his inner person is renewed. However, God is ALSO able to renew your youth like the eagles – so physical/outer renewal is yours too!
Psalm 103:2-5 (NKJV) says:
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
This psalm lists out all your benefits in Him:
- forgiveness not just of sin, but of the bent to sin
- healing of all diseases
- redemption from destruction
- being crowned with lovingkindness and mercies that are tender
- satisfaction
- YOUTH RENEWAL
Wow! That is some package!
You get the inner renewal and the youth renewal!
Because God has supplied everything you get the whole enchilada with guacamole, sour cream, a drink and a desert! Don’t just settle for the salsa and chips!
Renewed Strength
There is also a powerful connection between the grace of God bringing strength in areas of loss and mourning. Psalm 84:6-8 (TPT) says:
6 Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears,
they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others find only pain.
He gives to them a brook of blessing
filled from the rain of an outpouring.
7 They grow stronger and stronger with every step forward,
and the God of all gods will appear before them in Zion.
I love this passage!
Moving through pain and connecting to God releases grace to use that very pain to gain strength. You don’t just get through, you get renewed and upgraded!
This is why the Word says He always causes us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)!
Renewal Brings Transformation:
Romans 12:2 (Young’s Literal Translation) brings another area of renewal – our minds!
2 and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what [is] the will of God — the good, and acceptable, and perfect.
The word translated as age is the word, “aion,” which is often translated as “world”. However, age is more accurate. The age that we are not to conform to is the age of the law of Moses. We are under Grace and the Law of Love and freedom. For further understanding of this, go to my “Commanded to Love” blog at https://catherinetoon.com/commanded-to-love/
The word, “renewed” is the Greek word, “anakainōsis,” which means “a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better.”
This renewal is a renovation of your mind. The fruit is transformation or literally transfiguration!
With any renovation project, something must be torn down or even gutted and rebuilt according to upgraded specifications with upgraded materials.
Thoughts, strongholds, or imaginations that exalt themselves against the true knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5) get torn down. These thoughts lead to destruction, lack, sickness, and torment. Upgraded thoughts lead to renewal and transformation!
Life Renewal
The last scripture I want to bring out is Colossians 3:10 (TPT) which says,
10 For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God.
What is being renewed here? The answer is new creation life! That life is something you have already acquired. And that life is being renewed on a continual basis. The result is the likeness of God and a full revelation of God! This is from glory to glory and by the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Wow – how mind boggling!
There is renewal for you – for your spirit and for your body. It is available to you NOW due to God’s desire to renew you, and it is made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.
Meditating on these renewal scriptures will go a long way in settling you into the truth of being renewed. In the next blog in the series we will continue and get into practical how-to’s. You won’t want to miss it!
Love,
Catherine
Renewal means to make new, to restore back to original design – does that make sense?
I try I am not perfect. I am glad it helped!