renewing strength

This week I got the privilege of speaking at staff devotions. I got to talk about renewal. Renewal is something I think as Christians we need to go through. It allows us to grow deeper in our relationships with Christ. As I prepared for the devotion I looked at the Israelites and how they went through renewal processes and even had put up little things to remind them of those times. A part of renewal is remembering the amazing things God has done for us. Along with this I also looked at ways we can be renewed. So I looked up scripture that shares ways to be renewed.

Psalms 51:10, “ Create in me a clean heart, O God and Renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalms 103:5 “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Isaiah 40:29-31 “ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength, even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.”

Romans 12:2 “ and be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.“

2 Corinthians 4:16 “ for which cause we faint not, but through our outward man perish, yet the inward man is Renewed day by day.”

Ephesians 4:23 “And be Renewed in the spirit of your mind.”

Titus 2:5 “ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and Renewing of the Holy Ghost.

I think the verses that have really struck me this week in Isaiah 40:29-31 and 2 Corinthians 4:16. These both talk about how the outward, physical body gets weak and needs strength but we can be renewed in our spirits daily. This week my body has taken another hit this time landing me in the hospital with an IV for 5 hours. My body was week and I was tired and faint but during this whole time of sickness my spirit has been positive. It’s amazing how when God has you where He wants you he gives you the most amazing attitude. The past couple of weeks I could have been discouraged and have wanted to go home but this whole time I have seen God keep my spirit encouraged. God has been faithful and he has given me strength when I needed and he has taught me how to rest and enjoy who He is. Instead of being sad that I wasn’t at school and worried about my students this week I got to just rest in Him. I got to be in His word and just take the time to focus on Him. Sometimes we need those times even if we don’t want to take them. I honestly believe God has given me the privilege of being sick to learn rest and not just rest but resting in Him. I am regaining my strength day by day with the help of rest and downing water and Gatorade. You’re prayers are being felt and are appreciated.

God has also provided so many things for me this week. A place to send Christmas gifts to make sure they got there safely and a friend and encourager who sat with me at the hospital for 5 hours. People to make sure I am resting and yell at me when I am not, rides to get Gatorade. All these made life a little easier.

This week we also had open house. This is a time I got to meet a lot of student’s parents that I haven’t seen yet this year. This was a great time of encouragement from my parents and a time to just really get to know the families that my wonderful students come from.

Continue to pray for me as I continue to gain strength and that I wouldn’t catch any other viruses or colds that are going around school. Pray also as I start teaching piano this week. I will also be hosting the first woman’s Bible study for us girls at school this week at my house on Wednesday. Pray as I also will be starting to plan with my committee for reading month coming up in October. Praise the Lord for all his strength and his faithfulness.