Soul Food: “Revisit, Review, Renew” by Rev. Robin Arnold
Sometimes, we just get stuck. It does not matter how we got there, what we should have done, whose fault it is, or how long we have been there…we are stuck and we want out. We need change. We need to be renewed.
“Spiritual Renewal” is a term that Christians often use to describe what happens when God pours out his Spirit on his people. The following is a plan. It is a plan for change, a plan for beginning again, plan of renewal.
The day before your life changes forever feels like any other day.
So, let this day, in this New Year, be the day you begin your “Spiritual Renewal”.
It begins by submitting to God.
Submit to God
“The Lord decides what a person will do; no one understands what his life is all about.” Proverbs 20:24 (NCV)
Pray Without Ceasing
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24 (NKJV)
Pray. You don’t need big words; you just need to talk to God. Have conversations with God. Be yourself. Be honest about your doubts and struggles. Listen for His answer. Expect your prayers to be answered.
Release
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Let go of the past. It will not be easy but it can be done. Pray. God will break your chains.
Don’t Be Mad At Yourself
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (MEV)
It is very easy to lose contact with religion and faith. Realize that you can find your way back, and be better than ever.
Believe Yourself Worthy
“For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (MEV)
It does not matter how long you have been away, or what you have been through, God loves you and forgives you. Forgive yourself.
Know That You Are Not Necessarily An Atheist
“Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 (MEV)
Just because you have drifted apart from the church, or are having trouble believing doesn’t mean you don’t believe in God. It just means that you are going through a rough patch.
Buy a Bible (or pull it out of it’s hiding place)
Get one that you will understand. There are many translations available. If you cannot afford one there are free online Bible apps you can download to your phone or tablet. Most churches will provide you with a Bible if you ask.
Read the Bible
Take notes on what you read. Ask questions.
Go to Church
Once you feel comfortable, and understand, join in.
Talk to a Priest, Pastor or Minister About Coming Back to Your Faith
They will pray with you and discuss how to return to your faith.
Align Yourself
“For where two or three are assembled in My name, there I am in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 (MEV)
Attend Bible Studies and church related functions, study and socialize with believers. Ask for prayer. Stay in prayer. God wants believers to fellowship together.
Join A Support Group
You are not alone. Many others are having trouble understanding faith, and are on the road back to Jesus. They can help.
Make It A Requirement
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Set time aside to study Gods word. Make it a priority. Prepare a quiet place and time in your home where you go to spend time with God.
Expect Your Personal Breakthrough
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 (NIV)
Pray. Expect your situation to change.
Look For Miracles
Miracles are constantly visible. Take a walk. Who made the mountains? Who hung the moon in the starry skies? Who makes the flowers bloom? Who writes the songs that the birds sing? Make yourself aware of your heartbeat, your eyelashes, the blink of your eyelid, your breathing – YOU ARE A MIRACLE.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to allow You, through trust and faith, to work powerfully in and through me that I will be renewed and know and understand that You are indeed Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omniscient (all-knowing), and Omnipresent (all-present). Help me understand how real, how mighty and how good You are in my life each and every day. Renew me O Lord! In Your Heavenly Name I Pray ~Amen
Let this day, be the day.
Author: Robin Arnold. Robin Arnold is an ordained minister and a native of Denver, Colorado. She made Huntsville her home in 1982. Robin is a mother of four adult children, a grandmother of four, a mother-in-law, a niece, an aunt, a sister and a daughter which she thanks God for each and everyday. A powerful, dynamic, speaker, Robin uses the gifts of the Spirit to speak from her heart and soul with a genuine love for whom God made her and for what she does. Robin has authored and published Dear God… It’s Me: Spiritual Poetry and Dear God…It’s Me – A Meditation Journal. Currently she is working on Walking Between the Raindrops, a collection of stories by and about people who have influenced her life and What is…Asked Javien, a Christian children’s book collection. When asked how and/or why she does all that she does, she simply replies…I Am The Lord’s.
One Comment
Thank you for writing this — the New Year is a great time for renewal!