Tag Archives | renewal

Reflections on Renewal

By James Austin on May 25, 2025 in Theology

This post provides a 30-day journey of renewal by repentance with scripture, prayer, reflection, and application for each day. If you would like, check off each item daily as you progress in humility and grace. A printable copy of this 30-day time of renewal is given at the bottom of this post.

Day 1: The First Step Toward God

[ ] Old Testament: Joel 2:12–13
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
[ ] Gospel: Luke 15:17–20
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
[ ] Epistle: 2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord God, call me back to You. I come with sorrow for my sins and a longing for Your mercy. Tear from me pride and self-deception, and draw me to Your embrace.
[ ] Application: Kneel in silence for 10 minutes today as a gesture of humility and surrender.

Day 2: Cleansing the Heart

[ ] Old Testament: Psalm 51:10–12
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
[ ] Epistle: James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Create in me, O Lord, a heart that desires only You. Let my thoughts, words, and actions be purified by Your Spirit.
[ ] Application: Write down three distractions or habits that cloud your spiritual vision. Pray for grace to remove them.

Day 3: The Mercy of God

[ ] Old Testament: Isaiah 55:6–7
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
[ ] Gospel: Luke 18:13–14
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.”
[ ] Epistle: 1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. You came not for the righteous but to call sinners. Count me among them and cover me in Your grace.
[ ] Application: Recite the Jesus Prayer throughout the day: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Day 4: Turning from Evil

[ ] Old Testament: Ezekiel 18:30–31
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!”
[ ] Gospel: John 5:14
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”
[ ] Epistle: Romans 6:12–13
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.
[ ] Heart Prayer: God of holiness, give me strength to turn away from all evil. Let not sin reign in me but cleanse me completely.
[ ] Application: Fast from something today that tempts you toward sin. Replace it with Scripture reading or silent prayer.

Day 5: The Sorrow that Heals

[ ] Old Testament: Lamentations 3:40–41
Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 26:75
And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
[ ] Epistle: Hebrews 12:11
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
[ ] Heart Prayer: O Lord, I grieve the pain my sins have caused You. Let my sorrow not end in despair, but in Your healing righteousness.
[ ] Application: If you feel sorrow today, do not hide it. Offer your sorrow to God. If you feel none, pray for a softened heart.

Day 6: The Path of Humility

[ ] Old Testament: Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
[ ] Epistle: Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
[ ] Heart Prayer: O God who dwells with the lowly, help me to humble myself under Your hand. Break my pride and teach me Your gentleness.
[ ] Application: Today, serve someone without seeking recognition. Offer this act in silence as worship to God.

Day 7: Returning with All the Heart

[ ] Old Testament: Deuteronomy 30:2–3
And return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul. Then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you.
[ ] Gospel: Mark 12:30
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
[ ] Epistle: Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord, I return to You with all that I am. Cleanse my conscience and renew in me full-hearted love for You.
[ ] Application: Examine what competes for your heart. Remove one distraction or idol and dedicate that time to prayer.

Day 8: Bearing the Fruit of Repentance

[ ] Old Testament: Hosea 14:1–2
Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good.”
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 3:8
Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
[ ] Epistle: Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord of the harvest, let my repentance be seen in the fruit of Your Spirit growing in me.
[ ] Application: Write down which fruit of the Spirit you most lack. Practice it intentionally in one relationship today.

Day 9: The Light of Forgiveness

[ ] Old Testament: Micah 7:18–19
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
[ ] Gospel: John 8:11
And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
[ ] Epistle: Colossians 1:13–14
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Jesus, thank You for delivering me from darkness. Help me to walk as a forgiven child of light.
[ ] Application: Confess a sin and visualize it being placed at the foot of the Cross. Then walk in that forgiveness throughout your day.

Day 10: Perseverance in the Journey

[ ] Old Testament: Isaiah 40:29–31
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength… they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 24:13
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
[ ] Epistle: Romans 5:3–4
We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to endure the path of repentance. When I am weak, be my strength and stay.
[ ] Application: Do not neglect your devotional today even if weary. Offer your perseverance as an act of love to Christ.

Day 11: A Heart That Listens

[ ] Old Testament: Deuteronomy 5:27
Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say, and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.
[ ] Gospel: Luke 11:28
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
[ ] Epistle: James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord, open my ears to hear You, and my heart to obey You. Let me not be content with listening alone but grant me the will to act upon Your Word.
[ ] Application: After reading Scripture today, write down one command or promise and live it intentionally.

Day 12: Repentance in Truth

[ ] Old Testament: Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
[ ] Gospel: John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
[ ] Epistle: 1 John 1:8–9
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[ ] Prayer from the Heart: Faithful God, I confess my sin without excuse. Let my repentance be honest and my worship sincere.
[ ] Application: In your journal, confess one hidden sin to God with full honesty. Do not justify—just bring it to Him.

Day 13: Desiring the Things Above

[ ] Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them.”
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
[ ] Epistle: Colossians 3:1–2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord, lift my desires from earthly distractions to Your heavenly kingdom. Give me longing for Your righteousness.
[ ] Application: Replace one worldly pursuit today with quiet prayer or reflection on eternity.

Day 14: Broken and Contrite

[ ] Old Testament: Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
[ ] Gospel: Luke 7:38
And standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
[ ] Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
[ ] Heart Prayer: God, I bring You not strength but sorrow. Accept the broken offering of my heart and mend me with Your mercy.
[ ] Application: Write a prayer of brokenness today, expressing your grief before God. Offer it without fear.

Day 15: Holding Firm to Grace

[ ] Old Testament: Isaiah 30:15
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
[ ] Gospel: John 6:37
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
[ ] Epistle: Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Jesus, I trust in Your grace. Though I am weak, I come before you in Your mercy.
[ ] Application: Sit quietly for 10 minutes today. Repeat slowly: “Your grace is sufficient for me.” Let the truth settle your soul.

Day 16: Confessing with the Mouth and Heart

[ ] Old Testament: Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 10:32
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”
[ ] Epistle: Romans 10:9–10
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord Jesus, I confess You before heaven and earth. Let my heart and mouth together proclaim Your mercy and my need of Your saving grace.
[ ] Application: Speak or write public or private thoughts today about your faith or share your trust with someone who needs hope.

Day 17: The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted

[ ] Old Testament: Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
[ ] Gospel: Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
[ ] Epistle: 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction…
[ ] Heart Prayer: O Comforter of the sorrowful, draw near to my wounds. Heal me not only in body but in spirit, that I may rise again with joy.
[ ] Application: Write down your what’s sorrowing you. Fold the paper and lay it at the cross, in a journal, or in your Bible as an offering of trust.

Day 18: Walking in Newness of Life

[ ] Old Testament: Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
[ ] Gospel: John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
[ ] Epistle: Romans 6:4
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord of new beginnings, make me new again today. Let my life be a testimony of Your power to raise the dead in spirit.
[ ] Application: Clean something neglected—your room, desk, inbox—as a symbol of inner renewal. Invite God to make your heart clean as well.

Day 19: Receiving Correction

[ ] Old Testament: Proverbs 3:11–12
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
[ ] Gospel: Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
[ ] Epistle: Hebrews 12:10–11
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant…
[ ] Heart Prayer: Father, though correction stings, I know it is love. Give me grace to receive it with humility and grow in holiness.
[ ] Application: Reflect on a recent correction or failure. Journal how it may be God’s tool to refine your soul.

Day 20: Laying Aside Every Weight

[ ] Old Testament: Isaiah 43:18–19
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 11:28–30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
[ ] Epistle: Hebrews 12:1–2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…
[ ] Heart Prayer: O Christ, help me lay down the burden of sin and regret. Let me walk free, with eyes fixed only on You.
[ ] Application: Write down one weight you are carrying—spiritually, emotionally, or relationally. Lay it at the Lord’s feet in prayer.

Day 21: A Life of Continual Turning

[ ] Old Testament: Jeremiah 3:12
Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever.
[ ] Gospel: Mark 1:15
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
[ ] Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Faithful Father, I return again to You. Help me walk in repentance daily—not once, but always turning back to You.
[ ] Application: At three points today—morning, midday, and evening—pause to say: “Lord, I return to You again.”

Day 22: Sincere Worship and Holy Fear

[ ] Old Testament: Psalm 130:3–4
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
[ ] Gospel: John 4:23–24
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
[ ] Epistle: Hebrews 12:28
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord of mercy and majesty, may my worship be sincere, full of awe, and shaped by truth. Let Your forgiveness deepen my reverence.
[ ] Application: Bow before God today when you pray. Offer your body in reverence as you offer your heart in worship.

Day 23: Restoring What Is Broken

[ ] Old Testament: Leviticus 6:4–5
If anyone sins and realizes his guilt and restores what he took by robbery or by oppression or the deposit entrusted to him or the lost thing that he found… he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it.
[ ] Gospel: Luke 19:8
And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
[ ] Epistle: Philemon 1:18–19
If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it…
[ ] Heart Prayer: God of justice and mercy, teach me to repair what I have broken. Let my repentance restore others as well as myself.
[ ] Application: Make restitution today if possible. If not, write a plan and begin it this week.

Day 24: Hating Sin, Loving Righteousness

[ ] Old Testament: Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other… You cannot serve God and money.”
[ ] Epistle: Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord, give me holy hatred for sin and burning love for what is good. Change what I treasure, that I may truly treasure You.
[ ] Application: Identify one sin you’ve become too comfortable with. Renounce it aloud and ask God to make you hate it.

Day 25: Faith That Bears the Cross

[ ] Old Testament: Isaiah 53:3–5
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief… But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities… and with his wounds we are healed.
[ ] Gospel: Luke 9:23
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
[ ] Epistle: Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God…
[ ] Heart Prayer: Crucified Lord, I take up my cross with You. Help me walk the way of death to self and life in You.
[ ] Application: Embrace one inconvenience or hardship today for Christ’s sake. Offer it to God in silence.

Day 26: Returning in Weakness

[ ] Old Testament: Hosea 6:1
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.”
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
[ ] Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Healing Lord, I return to You not in strength, but in weakness. Let Your grace meet me in my frailty and restore me in Your mercy.
[ ] Application: Reflect today on an area of weakness you usually hide. Offer it openly to God in prayer.

Day 27: Living for God Alone

[ ] Old Testament: Joshua 24:15
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
[ ] Gospel: Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
[ ] Epistle: Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord, I choose You again today. Teach me to live only for Your glory and not for the approval of others.
[ ] Application: Do one act of devotion today in secret. Let no one know but God.

Day 28: A New Mindset

[ ] Old Testament: Isaiah 55:8–9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
[ ] Gospel: Mark 8:33
But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
[ ] Epistle: Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
[ ] Heart Prayer: God of wisdom, renew my mind today. Help me set my thoughts on You and think as You think.
[ ] Application: Take five minutes to examine your thoughts. Write down one that needs to be surrendered to God.

Day 29: Dying to the Old Self

[ ] Old Testament: Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?
[ ] Gospel: John 12:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
[ ] Epistle: Ephesians 4:22–24
Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and… put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
[ ] Heart Prayer: Lord, help me die to who I was without You. Clothe me in the new self, formed in Your holiness.
[ ] Application: Identify one part of your life that still reflects the “old self.” Pray for the strength to overcome it.

Day 30: Repentance for Life

[ ] Old Testament: Joel 2:13
Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
[ ] Gospel: Luke 24:47
…that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
[ ] Epistle: Acts 11:18
Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.
[ ] Heart Prayer: God of mercy and truth, I thank You for the gift of repentance. Let it lead me not just to sorrow, but to life everlasting in You.
[ ] Application: Review your 30-day journey. Write a prayer of thanksgiving and commit to walk in continual repentance and newness of life.

A printable copy of this 30-day plan is available for download here as a PDF.

Continue Reading ·

The Way Home

By James Austin on August 28, 2022 in Theology

It is a grace and mercy that people who return to Christ Jesus as the vine (John 15:5) and the source of living water remain with Him. God through His word is an unending source of nourishment as His people are trees planted by streams of living water. Renewal by Christ Jesus through His Word produces fruits of the Spirit as believers are again drinking from streams of life to attain spiritual health and peace. More specifically, the cultivation of joy that renders deep faith and practice is necessary for continued nourishment, spiritual peace, and mental well-being. As necessary for challenges in life, that joy as a fruit of the trees comes from the inhabited Spirit who is a conduit for others blessed and comforted through their sanctification and sufferings. There are various fruits of the Spirit as articulated in Galatians 5:22.

Living from the well of life apart from God is to forsake Him (Jer 2:13). Instead of drawing from the spring of living water from God, believers who live by their own will and interests do so from broken cisterns that can not hold water. Accordingly, to set out on one’s own isn’t sustainable or long-term viable to draw from outside of fellowship with God. The fruits of the Spirit spoken as truth are united with His life-giving power from a daily encounter with God. Life-giving nourishment of the Spirit comes from time alone with God through His Word. As Christ Jesus modeled for us, while people were among Him in desperation for teaching, truth, and healing, He withdrew from them to draw close to Father God in prayer (Luke 5:15-16). His time with God was a crucial source of intimacy even with the pressures of ministry among people who wanted to hear Him and be healed of their infirmities.

The two threats that have the potential to separate believers from the intimate connection with God are distraction and self-dependence. In alignment with Matthew 13, Jesus spoke of the parable of the sower to make clear what chokes out, inhibits, or removes the Word from a person’s life. Valuing the wrong things over Christ Jesus and His Word takes our focus, priority, and intentionality elsewhere. As given by the example in Luke 10:38-42 with Mary and Martha, Jesus spoke of the necessity of choosing the good portion of fellowship with Him and intimacy with God over the busyness of daily necessities. Mary chose not to forfeit the most essential thing with Jesus as compared to Martha attending their gathering with the well-intentioned nobility of hospitality. A believer’s proper perspective about personal identity in Christ is best understood as the branch and vine analogy that He spoke about (John 15:5).

The warning signs about a believer disconnected from the vine include one or more of the following:

Absence of fruit of Spirit
Lack of margin, patience, humility, and charity
Presence of pride, self-interest, defensiveness
Fleshly interests and carnality, or appetites too fleshly
Emotional fatigue and tense attitude of the heart from the grind of work

While circumstances and incident-driven occurrences give temporary rise to these conditions, they cannot be permitted to remain in place. The overwhelming pattern in the life of a believer must be personal time alone in prayer, in God’s Word (the Holy Bible), and worship. In truth and purity, believers shall abide in Christ to regain and sustain the spiritual nourishment essential to walk in the Spirit. Remaining in despair, discouragement, and distress indicates that a believer is disconnected from the vine or drinking from a broken cistern. A pattern and practice of these categories is the absence of margin and joy in a believer’s life.

While doing work unto the Lord, it is with the engine and furnace of the Spirit of God within. Passion, focus, and joy contribute to attitude as a source of fruitful energy that comes from time with God alone. Sin breaks fellowship. Willfulness can break fellowship. Self-interest (sin) breaks fellowship, so there is a need to be in daily immersion in God’s Word. Without the continuous renewal of the Spirit, burnout and fatigue can begin to take hold. Some evident attitudes that point to the onset of burnout include the following:

You think you can fix everyone’s problems
You have to fix everything right now
You are responsible for everything that goes on in the church
You can control everything in the church
You have the answers for everything
You can never show any weakness and need for growth

These attitudes are contradictory to truth statements of Scripture. To remain in proper perspective, intake of the whole counsel of God grows through time alone with Him. Absorption of God’s Word is an intentional, persistent, and conscious effort that requires reserved time (scheduled time) with God first at the beginning of each day, as He matters most. Priorities drive schedule, and emphatic yeses set priorities with non-negotiable noes. So, if priorities are not on your schedule, they’re not as important. The danger of the best is not the bad, it’s the good.

Preparation to serve God’s people begins with inner joy and spiritual nourishment. This position of spiritual health derives from a consistent daily time in the Word and prayer while remaining in truth and purity. Believers will be held accountable for their spouses and the spiritual well-being of their families. Most immediate relationships among others before God is what matters most over all other endeavors. The source of life to support a family’s spiritual well-being comes from meditation on God’s Word. Ongoing intentional interaction with God’s Word is necessary to experience an inner life of peace and joy from the spring of living water. So, as a matter of process, some suggested methods of Scripture immersion include the following:

Before bedtime sleep, meditate on a Psalm or passage of interest for five minutes to set God’s Word as the last thing on your conscious mind.
In the morning, attempt to memorize a corresponding verse while in the restroom and preparing for the day. Have a verse pack on the go in the bathroom at the sink and shower.
Once ready for the day, meditate on the Word in an expanded way through morning devotion time. To evaluate the meaning and implications of a passage further by contemplation and prayer, highlight, underline, circle, and note what touches your heart, mind, and spirit in the Word.
Pray the passage of interest at lunch – a cadence of attention to his Word is characterized by a time of personalization throughout the day.
Draw or visualize compelling imagery about the time of contemplation to work out the truth of the verse or passage.
Share the experience in the Word with family, friends, and others. Talk it out to learn it.
Apply it – Not just to know it, but to do it.

Accountability and close personal relationships to encourage believers are necessary to assure personal alone time with God. However, close and careful attention must be paid to who a believer confides in about passages meditated upon as a matter of reflection and application (Prov 20:6, Sirach 6:5-17). Long-term relationships are often betrayed by unfaithful men or women who abandon confidentiality and cause undue harm for intentional or unintentional reasons. If someone reveals to a believer another person’s private life, renewal, and reflection experiences in the Word of God, it can be assured that the person is doing the same with others. Whether in an immediate context or later in time, the believer needs to know who is trustworthy.

Continue Reading ·

Three Times Declared

By James Austin on November 19, 2019 in Theology

Recall when Jesus was watching Peter, His chosen apostle, deny Him three times. Three times declared, in front of all the people who were with him. Just a short distance away, Jesus was arrested and in the custody of the authorities. The crowds were there among them, and Peter was the man who Jesus said, “Upon this rock, I will build my Church.” The man who just denied him on three separate occasions while in the view of the Lord and God He loved.

Afterward, Jesus eventually permitted His Roman executioners to put Him to death. And yet, while found innocent during the Lord’s “trial,” the Roman ruler Pilate made it understood to everyone Jesus was without fault. The Roman authorities crucified Him anyway by choice of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

After the Lord’s crucifixion, His body was placed in a tomb where, after 3-days, He rose again as promised. Then as recorded in Scripture, He shortly after that returned to His apostles. To those He loved, He restored. He brought them renewed hope.

Tend My Sheep

He revealed His presence and identity to His Apostles. The third time He did so, He fed them while on the beach at the Sea of Tiberias (Jn 21:1). At the break of dawn, they together had fish for breakfast on the coastline that day. Then what is yet even more astonishing is what happened next. Follow along.

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes Lord; You know that I love you.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? “Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

– John 21:15-17

Love Renewed & Love Restored

Do you see what happened here? Simon Peter and others were out at sea fishing. Back to his livelihood, but wasn’t catching anything. He wasn’t attending the Kingdom of God that was just established on Earth among the nations. The Lord’s followers appointed to Peter were unattended as His mission was set before his disciples. “Do you love me more than these,” were Jesus’s words. More than these fish. More than Peter’s occupation, and more than Peter’s livelihood.

It was here that Jesus restored Peter, His chosen shepherd for the people of Israel. This is the Rock on which is built the Lord’s church.

Yet even while Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus restored Peter’s place through grace and forgiveness. In the act of incredible and infinite mercy, Jesus restores Peter by having him declare his love for the Lord three times. Even while Jesus knew Peter’s heart, his devotion, and his never-ending love, He got Peter back on his feet, spiritually speaking.

Continue Reading ·

Above All Else

By James Austin on October 25, 2017 in Theology

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Rom 12:2

Some notes and highlights in my understanding about what Jesus wants in our relationship with God:

“29 ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι Πρώτη ἐστίν, Ἄκουε, Ἰσραήλ, κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν κύριος εἷς ἐστιν, 30 καὶ ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος σου.”
-Mk 12:29-30

If love does not come from knowing God, there is no point in calling it love for God.
When God’s glory becomes our supreme pleasure, we begin to prefer above all else to know him, see him, and be like him.
True love for God will always bring about love for people.
Loving God is a strong inward emotion, not a mere outward action.
Jesus does not equate loving God with serving God. He roots serving God with loving God.
“Heart” highlights the center of our volitional and emotional life without excluding thought (Lk 1:51). “Soul” highlights our life as a whole, though sometimes distinguished from the body (Mt 10:28). “Mind” highlights our thinking capacity. And “Strength” highlights the capacity to make vigorous efforts both bodily and mentally (Mk 5:4, Lk 21:36).
Every faculty and every capacity treasures God above all things in such a way that our treasuring of any other thing is also a treasuring of God.
That any pleasure is not also a delight in God, then we have not loved God with all that capacity.

“He loves thee too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for thy sake.”
– Augustine.

Continue Reading ·

Coram Deo

By James Austin on July 1, 2014 in Theology

Last night was a full immersion in page after page of those Holy words again. Written to say what it does and not to appear as ink on pages and pixels in view. I went very late and lost track of time, but it didn’t matter—principles upon principles and definitions. Phrases in Greek read, spoken, and enunciated. These were parallel meanings and close antonyms.

“Tua Da Gloriam Non Nobis Domine Non Nobis Sed Nomini”

Saints and who they were and what they believed. What they did and did not do. Apostle Paul’s relationships and hardships, his offenses, and what he was committed to. His passion for the kingdom for the sake of the elect. By happenstance came upon the words ‘reign’ and ‘rebuke’ again and again—no idea why.

And today, while out and about it dawned on me that the reason I felt so alive and renewed was because of what came from that time spent—fully delved in meaning for the renewal. There were words I saw and felt that served as nourishment.

So I was reminded that what Jesus said is that the reborn shall not live by bread alone but by his Words. So very literally true, but that wasn’t what was so incredibly awakening. That evidence of the reborn is by what sustains it. It’s those words and meanings that were needed. They were craved then, and I don’t think that will ever go away. It was a promise made clear in an unexpected way.

So today was a different kind of energy. A gift of strength inside that comes for just long enough in the moment. Just long enough for the day. Long enough for eternity.

Continue Reading ·