RENEWAL

HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE SPIRITUAL RENEWAL IN OUR LIFE?

WE ARE RENEWED BY OBEYING GOD.
King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of YHVH his Elohim. In all that he did in the service of the Temple of YHVH and in his efforts to follow the Law and the Commands, Hezekiah sought his Elohim wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. -- 2 Chronicles 31:20-21. Because Hezekiah did -- what was pleasing and good in the sight of YHVH his Elohim, he led the people of Judah in spiritual renewal. His actions serve as a model of renewal for us:

1 He remembered Elohim’s compassion -- 30:9;
2 He kept going despite ridicule -- 30:10;
3 He aggressively removed evil influences from his life -- 30:14; 31:1;
4 He interceded for the people, asking for Adonai’s pardon -- 30:18-20;
5 He was open to spontaneity in worship --- 30:23;
6 He contributed generously to Elohim’s work -- 31:3.

If any of these are lacking in your life, consider how you might apply them and renew your commitment to YHVH.

WE ARE RENEWED BY HAVING A VISION FOR GOD’S WORK.
I said to them: You know full well the tragedy of our city. It lies in ruins and its gates are burned. Let us rebuild the wall of Yerushalayim and rid ourselves of this disgrace! Then I told them about how the gracious hand of YHVH had been on me and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once: Good! Let’s rebuild the wall! So they began the good work. -- Nehemiah 2:17-18. Nehemiah had a vision and he shared it with enthusiasm, inspiring Yerushalayim’s leaders to rebuild the walls. He took the time to make sure his vision was clear and compelling. The spark of his vision ignited the people he gathered around him. We frequently underestimate people and don’t challenge them with our dreams for YHVH’s Work in the world. When Elohim plants an idea in your mind to accomplish something for Him, share it with others and trust Ruach HaKodesh to impress them with similar thoughts. Don’t regard yourself as the only one through whom Elohim is working. Often Elohim uses one person to express the vision and others to turn it into reality. When you encourage and inspire others, you put teamwork into action to accomplish YHVH’s Goals.

WE ARE RENEWED THROUGH BEING ACTIVE IN MINISTRY.
As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, Master, this is wonderful! We will make three shrines -- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. -- Luke 9:33. Peter, James and John experienced a wonderful moment on the mountain and they didn’t want to leave. Sometimes we too have such an inspiring experience that we want to stay where we are --- away from the reality and problems of our daily life. Knowing that struggles await us in the valley encourages us to linger on the mountaintop. Yet staying on top of a mountain prohibits us from ministering to others. Instead of becoming spiritual giants, we would soon become dwarfed by our self-centeredness. We need times of retreat and renewal, but only so we can return to minister to the world. Our faith must make sense off the mountain as well as on it.

WE ARE RENEWED THROUGH BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are Spirit and Life. -- John 6:63. Ruach HaKodesh gives Spiritual Life; without the Work of Ruach HaKodesh we cannot even see our need for new life -- John 14:17. He reveals truth to us, lives within us and then enables us to respond to that truth.

HOW CAN I EXPERIENCE RENEWAL IN MY LIFE?
Acts 3:19: Now turn from your sins and turn to YHVH, so you can be cleansed of your sins. Jeremiah 31:18: I have heard Yisrael saying, You disciplined me severely, but I deserved it. I was like a calf that needed to be trained for the yoke and plough. Turn me again to You and restore me, for You alone are Adonai my Elohim. Psalm 51:10: Create in me a clean heart, O YHVH. Renew a right spirit within me. Ezekiel 36:26-27: I will give you a new heart with new and right desires and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put My Spirit in you so you will obey My Laws and do whatever I Command. Ephesians 4:21-24: Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through... . Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in Elohim’s likeness --- righteous, holy and true. Colossians 3:10: In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Moshiach, Who Created this new nature within you. -- A heart that truly wants to change is a heart that is ready for the renewal that only YHVH’s Ruach can bring.

IN WHAT WAYS DOES YHVH RENEW ME?
Psalm 19:7: The Law of YHVH is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of Elohim are trustworthy, making wise the simple. -- YHVH revives my soul.
Psalm 119:25: I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by Your Word. -- YHVH revives me by His Word.
Psalm 23:3: He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to His Name. -- Elohim renews my strength.
Psalm 94:19: When doubts filled my mind, Your Comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. -- YHVH renews my hope.
Psalm 119:40, 93: I long to obey Your Commandments! Renew my life with Your Goodness... I will never forget Your Commandments, for You have used them to restore my joy and health. -- YHVH restores my joy and health.
2 Corinthians 4:16: That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. -- YHVH renews our spirits.