WEEK 37 | RENEW

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
(Romans 12:2).

I love the opening weekend of the NFL season. College football has started, Major League Baseball is gearing up for the playoffs, and the NBA and NHL seasons are right around the corner. One of the things that I love about the start of the new seasons is that everybody gets a fresh start.

Seasons are long and draining. Some seasons are fun, fulfilling, and full of success. Some seasons are hard, tough, and full of disappointment. We all need a good off-season so that we can be RENEWED and feel refreshed.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will RENEW their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:30-31).

No matter what you did last season, the first practice, the first scrimmage, and the first game of the new season is an opportunity to start over.

What are you going to do with that opportunity?

While Paul the Apostle was in jail in Rome, he wrote a letter to the Ephesians that said, "Let the Spirit RENEW your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:23-24)."

I am going into a new week with some tough challenges ahead, so this verse definitely hits home to me. RENEW means to make like new or to restore to freshness or perfection. I try to use every Sunday and every morning to RENEW my mind, spirit, thoughts and attitude. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to live the life that God intends for us to live by being the people that God wants us to be.

Paul wrote earlier in Ephesians, "Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life (Ephesians 22)." 

He wrote later in Ephesians, "Stop telling lies. Don't let anger control you. Use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:25-32)."

Every new day, new week, new month, new practice, and new season is your opportunity to be RENEWED. It is your opportunity to put on your new nature - the nature of God. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind. Then you will be able to know God's will for you - which is good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:2).

This Week

1 - Start every morning with a prayer. Pray, "God, I am here for you and for your purpose. Please RENEW my mind, body, and Spirit so that I will know and live out your purpose and will for my life."

2 - Make a goal to encourage at least one person everyday. Write down at night the one encouraging thing that you did.

3 - Do good, hard work. Be generous to those in need. Be an encourager. Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

4 - Make a goal every night to not go to sleep angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).

For a Google doc version, click here: Week 37 | Renew