Renewed!

Things break.

Exhibit A:  The tailgate handle of my truck.

Right now my truck is in the shop...leaking antifreeze.  It's old...parts break.  My dad taught me to take care of it back when he bought it in 1988.  I remember him teaching me to change the oil, lube the chassis, change out belts/hoses.  He taught me how to take care of a vehicle...wash/wax/preventative maintenance.  It's old now, but still runs pretty well, and looks all right when I get a good detail job on it.  Renewing my truck is a fun and rewarding thing.  I know it's temporary and will eventually break, but until it totally dies, I'm going to do my best to preserve it

Glades Rd. and the Turnpike...the spot where Ol' Gray hit 200,000 miles.

Material things aren't the only things that break down over time.  We do too.  I'm not just talking about our physical bodies.  We all know that's the case.  I believe our spiritual lives...our relationship with God Almighty...it has the potential to break down.  I see it happen all the time.  People get excited about God, and then the things of this world battle for top spot in our lives...and man what a battle it is.

What/Who is going to be #1 in our lives?  In a world that attacks us with opportunities to focus on something besides God, we need to be renewed on a consistent basis.  Note: not all these "things" are horribly evil in and of themselves.  Church/religion could be one of them.  Family could be one of them.  Barbecue could be one of them.  Jobs could be one of them.  Bowling could be one of them.  Satan tries to insert things into our lives that could potentially take the place of God or become an excuse for not pursuing God.

Life becomes difficult for everyone.  If we aren't renewing our relationship with God, we are setting ourselves up for failure.  How do we do that?

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–

His good, pleasing and perfect will."   

Romans 12:2

Paul tells us to purposefully focus our minds on God.  When you look at this world, learn to look at it through the eyes of God.  Have Him in your thoughts constantly.  Study about Him purposefully.  Serve Him abundantly.  If you fill your mind with Christ, you will be reminded often of what God wants you to do.  You will be able to know His will.  You will be able to stand against temptation and have the strength to pursue God in any situation.

Here's the bottom line:  you are going to do what you want to do.  Are you in God's Word?  Are you seeking Him in prayer?  Are you serving Him?  If not, ask yourself why?  Do you truly want to? Are you willing to do/give your best in order to preserve and protect the relationship God has made available to you?

God loves every one of us.  He is waiting to renew us.  His Word is available to all of us (www.youversion.com).  The world is telling all of us what we should pursue.  Christ told us to pursue Him.  Let Him become your sole purpose in all that you do.  Make Him a priority so you can "finish the race." (2 Tim. 4:7, Acts 20:24)  Stay strong.