Renewal

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  (Rom 12:2)

It’s such a hopeful word. We’ve had a cold winter and about to get what looks like several days of heavy rain. I’m sure those in California and other places that don’t usually get a lot of rain will be able to look forward to a green yard this year when spring arrives.

Now that we’re a couple months away from our third Spring in Tennessee, we are lookng forward to seeing the landscape start to turn from everything looking so dead . It arrives differently here in many way, but still the same in other ways: Things will be made new looking again – not just the grass, but the trees, bushes, and other new life that comes that time of year.

In Romans 12, Paul transitions into talking about Christian service and life, which at its core boils down to our thoughts and actions towards others. In the passage above, he is talking about a “Spring” of our minds, looking for what is dead that needs to be replaced.

Why? Because our actions come out of what we think.

Our thoughts patterns arise out of what is in our heart. Sometimes we may intellectually think something is true and what we believe, but in the end what our core values are will show in our actions.

That is why it is so important to make sure our minds are running on the word of God – Scripture must be implanted in our hearts and minds so we’re aligned with what God has said. If that is deep in our hearts and minds then our actions will arise out of that belief system. It’s the spiritual rain that will bring forth new life in our thoughts and actions. 

While we are still in this winter season, review the dry spots in your thought patterns to see where the word of God can bring renewal to your mind.

What thought patterns are the result of not enough spiritual rain?

Renew them by replacing those thoughts with the thoughts of God. Plant those scriptures deep so that your mind will be renewed!