Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Continuing our resolutions, let’s commit to living renewed by God.

Today’s scripture, Ephesians 4:23 (NLT) exhorts…Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Consider…
Early in my career I worked for the group of scientists who developed the hybrid material used by Renewal by Andersen. This material blended wood and plastic (for simplicity), to provide a wood look and feel, but without the decaying properties of wood.

When the Holy Spirit inspired me to write about being resolved to be renewed, He linked my career experience with His care encouragement.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV) says…Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

That is the perfect description of Renewal by God!

You see, humans are obsessed with outward appearances, but God is ‘souly’ focused on our inward man.

Recall, 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) says…
[7] But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

I think that’s the ongoing disconnect between us and God, we see and focus on the external, while He focuses on the internal which is eternal.

Wow, the Holy Spirit just showed me the only difference between the eternal and external is the ‘x’ we place after the ‘e’.

That made me want to find the definition for ‘ternal’. AI Overview returned…

The suffix “ternal” (or “-ernal”) relates to the Latin root ternus, meaning “three each” or “threefold,” appearing in words like ternal (three parts, third) or as part of longer words like eternal, meaning everlasting or endless.

That made me think of Mind, heart, and soul, which according to AI Overview represent distinct yet interconnected aspects of human experience: the Mind governs intellect, logic, and thought; the Heart relates to emotions, feelings, and empathy (the core self); while the Soul often signifies our entire inner self, willpower, potential, or spiritual essence, the deep, fundamental part of our being, making them a holistic representation of a person’s inner life and capacity for love and action.

And that led me to Matthew 22:37 (NLT) where we read…Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

I submit, it’s not a coincidence that the eternal God wants us to love Him with everything internal. Afterall, Genesis 1:26a-27 (NLT) says…Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us…” [27] So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

As we know the our God is referring to is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Our belief in The Triune God (or Trinity), led me back to AI Overview which says it is the Christian doctrine that one God exists eternally as three distinct, co-equal persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit, sharing one divine essence or substance. It means God is one in being but three in person, with each person distinct yet fully God, eternally relating to each other in love and communion.

Key Aspects
One God, Three Persons: The core concept is one divine nature (essence) shared by three distinct “Whos” (persons).

Distinct Roles: While equally God, each person has unique roles: the Father creates, the Son redeems, and the Spirit sanctifies and indwells believers.

Eternal Relationship: The Trinity is a community of perfect love and fellowship that has existed forever, not a lonely God.

You see it’s our internal that connects with the eternal. God wants us mind, heart and soul to all harmoniously love God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I believe that’s why God is only focused renewing our inward man.

That also helps us better understand why today’s scripture says we should let God’s Spirit renew our minds!

And Romans 12:2 (NKJV) emphasizes mind renewal transformation…
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

It’s why Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)…Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

We must think like Jesus! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

And the reason God focuses on renewing our hearts is provided in Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV), which advises…Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

It’s why David prayed, as we should daily, in Psalms 51:10 (NKJV)…Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Notice, David asked God to clean his heart. That’s because he knew that as Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) says…
[9] “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

I couldn’t copy and paste that without including a key point David knew, and we should always be mindful of. God says in Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV)…
[10] I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

So David praying for God to clean his heart, was his way of confessing I know my heart is dirty, but I want it to be clean for you.

That ran me to 1 John 1:8-9 (NKJV) that says…If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When we confess our sins, like David we’re asking God to give us clean hearts.

That pressed play on Fred Hammond soulfully praying in Give Me A Clean Heart…

Give me a clean heart
To see You like I should, hey
To walk the path that’s right
To do the thing You would
Give me a clean heart and I will serve nobody, but You

Give me a clean heart
To lose the double mind
To believe You when You tell me
Everything will be just fine
Just lay Your hands on me Lord

Oh that those lyrics would be our humble cry too.

I find it interesting that Paul made a distinction between how we receive righteousness and salvation. Look closely at Romans 10:10 (NKJV)…For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Our hearts believing in Jesus Christ is what makes us right with God.

Romans 3:22 (NLT) expressly explains…We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

That’s why our hearts are so important to God, because it’s where we believe from. Which is why I will repeat for emphasis Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)…Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Resolve to ask God for a clean heart regularly, especially when you’re aware of your sin.

I also noticed David added, “and renew a steadfast spirit within me”. I like KJV’s ‘right spirit’ and NLT’s ‘loyal spirit’ too. Regardless of the version, they all ask God to renew His Spirit in them. We know that’s the case because Psalms 51:11 (NLT) prays…Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

There’s a valuable wisdom pearl provided by David in this verse. Just because we’re saved doesn’t mean God’s Spirit is leading us.

I know God’s Spirit is in us, but let me remind you that Ephesians 4:30 (NLT) admonishes…And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Paul is wrote this to saved people.

It’s also why Paul wrote in Galatians 5:16 (NLT)…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Here’s the underlying fact about renewal, it acknowledges a decaying or evaporating luster or integrity.

It’s important that we understand that while we’re saved from the penalty and power of sin, we still have it’s nature within us. Thus, Galatians 5:17 (NLT) explains…The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

You see here’s what we missed, God originally placed His Spirit in us, our sinful nature led us to disobey Him and began our decay. That’s why it’s so vital that we allow Him to renew/restore His Spirit within us and lead us back to the life He wanted us to have from the beginning.

Like David, we should resolve to let the Holy Spirit guide us to live transformed lives by God for God.

I have often heard people say Jesus take the wheel, but I hear Him saying let the Holy Spirit I gave you lead you.

God isn’t our chauffeur, He’s our navigator, telling us the way to go. But as is the case with following GPS navigation in cars, we can choose to ignore His directions and get off course. Also like GPS to our destination, He will continually reroute with course adjustments or corrections to ultimately get us to the pre-planned destination.

God always had Heaven planned for us, He is just wanting to guide us home on the most direct path. Nevertheless, He knows we’ll veer off repeatedly and thus uses rerouting to get us back on track to cross the finish line. That’s what His renewing does, reroutes us back to His path and His way.

Lastly, the Holy Spirit is helping me understand that God is interested in our soul living renewed too. 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT) exhorts…Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

You see desiring worldly gains or fame, only leads to internal shame and an eternal flame.

Recall, Genesis 3:6-7 (NLT) says…The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. [7] At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Notice at the moment Adam and Eve got what they wanted, rather than what God had provided, they were ashamed.

Milineas later, the same patterns and results are happening. 1 John 2:16-17 (NLT) explains…For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. [17] And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

You see temporary external pleasures and cravings are fading away. That’s how God designed it, but living to please God, which must be an internal desire, leads to eternal life.

That brings three statements by Jesus to mind…

He said in Matthew 7:21 (NLT)…“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Jesus is saying actions speak louder than words. What we do reveals what’s true.

And He said in Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)…“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. [21] Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Jesus is saying choose what’s eternal, not external. And what you pursue reveals what you truly treasure internally.

That’s why Paul exhorts in Colossians 3:2-3 (NKJV)…Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

We often read about dying with Christ, the Holy Spirit wanted me to clarify that according to Galatians 5:24 (NKJV) that means…And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

You see we have to strip off our old nature and allow God to renew His new way of thinking and believing in us.

Full context of today’s scripture is Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)…Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Living renewed by God requires us to…

• THROW off our old sinful nature
• LET the Holy Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes
• PUTA on the new nature

Being renewed is not a passive activity, it’s a cooperative and actively engaged one.

Lastly we read in Matthew 16:21-27 (NLT)…From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. [22] But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” [23] Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” [24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [25] If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. [26] And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? [27] For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

I shared the entire passage because it provides context to Jesus’ famous piercing questions…

• what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
• Is anything worth more than your soul?

You see like Peter we often mistakenly view our walk with Jesus, and hear His words from our finite human perspective. However, EVERYTHING God is doing and speaking about is spiritual and eternal. Don’t get me wrong God does care about our external (physical) conditions, however Y believe it’s only to the extent they impact our internal resolve to live eternally renewed.

God is showing us the shift from living for the external to living in His eternal is a decision to allow His Spirit to renew our internal desires to be more like Him and less like sin.

That’s why Paul exhorts us in Colossians 3:10 (NLT)
to…Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

This year let’s resolve to live with God’s renewed minds, clean hearts and resting souls, to become more like Him.

Today’s song is…
Renew Me

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)