WE ARE RENEWED DAY BY DAY

In today's message, apostle Paul is introducing us to a careful study of the Bible passage that shows us exactly how inward renewal takes place as well as the effect of that renewal. Like Paul, we can face momentary troubles or challenges, but the good news is that God wants us to be renewed day by day amid any situation.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:16 New International Version (NIV) 'Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.'

This means - though we have an earthen vessel that is merely human and characterised by dust (containers of human beings), we are vessels that carry God's powerful truth on the inside, and so, inwardly, we are being made as good as new every day. The priceless treasure of knowing God's Word, meditating on it and getting renewed by it, outweighs our outward appearance which gets older day after day.

Paul insisted that he was not going to give up. This encourages us never to lose heart, meaning that we must not give in to the temptation to live in despair, come what may. He wants us to know that even though our outward appearance can show signs of ageing, we are strong, determined and more convinced than ever to live our purpose in Christ, as we energise and renew our innerman through the knowledge of the Word.

Those who learn to live by the Word are increasingly protected from discouragement. This implies that as we humbly seek the Lord in His word, we are being changed, brought more and more into the newness of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) says, 'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.' So as born again Christian, you have a huge advantage. You can be renewed day by day and transformed into the image of God from glory to glory.

Apart from meditating on God's Word, other ways we can get renewed day by day are by worshipping, by spending time in the presence of God through prayer, and by yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit through constant fellowship. By worshipping, we invoke God's manifest presence and set our minds on things above, thereby getting renewed. Worship fixes your mind on things above and affords you a new perspective. It ignites fresh ability and enthusiasm in you to follow your plans, aspirations, and expectations in Christ.

By spending time in God's presence, we gain a renewed strength. Your inner strength needs to be renewed daily. And it is a spiritual renewal which you can only get in the presence of God. The Bible says, 'He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak' (Isaiah 40:29 NIV). More so, by receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit daily, we are renewed. Titus 3:5 (NIV) says, '...He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.' Beloved, there's no limit to what the Holy Spirit can do. As He renews you, He gives you hope, dream and vision. He does not stop there, He is God- the Holy Spirit, who is sovereign enough to incubate and create all that He shows you, as you comply.

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 40:31; Ephesians 4:22-23; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:10.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the inward drive for newness, which makes me ever fresh, glorious, and energetic in Christ. Your life-giving Spirit dwells in me and remodels me inwardly with your life, on a daily basis. As I flow in the process of spiritual renewal, my mind, emotion, and spirit fully give expression to your dimensions and I experience your glory that far outweighs the lightweight and momentary challenges of this life. In all the situations of my daily life, I reflect more of your glory within, in Jesus' Name, Amen!