REBOOT

Scriptures: John 7:37-39, Psalms 42:1-2

As My Soul Thirsts

There are many seasons in our life where we can become tired, wearied, and in need of renewal. We need a strong Reboot in our life in order to keep going. Stress at work, in family, and unexpected circumstances can cause us to feel empty.  

We often attempt to find fulfillment in sources that do not satisfy our spirit. We begin to stress eat or drink, we workout harder thinking it will satisfy our body, we buy more stuff thinking it will fulfill the emptiness inside. These things are not necessarily bad, but they do not truly satisfy. Instead of rebooting ourselves with God’s Word, prayer, and rest, we tend to fill ourselves up with things that won’t really satisfy us. Being emotionally drained, tired, and stressed often comes from our spirits being neglected and ignored. 

Think about how vehicles work. A car needs gas to go. If you neglect to put gas in your car, then the car will not be able to take you anywhere. If you have ever experienced a moment running out of gas only to find yourself stranded on the side of the road waiting for someone to come to your aid, you know that that is a difficult and frustrating experience. The only thing that will make your car run again is gas. Anything else is useless.

Jesus knew what we really needed. He understood that our spirits needed to be refreshed and rebooted with something more powerful, something lasting, something eternal. Jesus knew that we needed the Holy Spirit to fill us up and empower us to move forward. 

If you are running on empty, tired, weary, or longing for something to satisfy your heart, then look no farther than the Spirit that Jesus offers us. It is His Spirit that will strengthen and empower us to move forward. The offer Jesus gave over 2000 years ago still stands today. Rivers of living water are still flowing through His Spirit. All we have to do is believe and receive. Over the next few days we will journey together to find His rest and find satisfaction that only He can offer. 

Reflection Question:

What have I been turning toward to satisfy my soul?

Prayer:

Lord, I feel empty, weak, and tired

Help me say no to things that will not satisfy

I need what only you can give

Let your Spirit wash over me like streams of water

I’m setting you in your place of first priority

Amen

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 43:19

Stepping Into the New

We all come to moments and seasons in our life where it’s time to start something new. Sometimes these seasons come by design and the choices we have made, other times they come because of circumstances outside our control. Whether it is starting a new walk of life in Christ, a new business or job role, marriage, or new school year, a season of new beginnings gives us the opportunity to take steps of faith and start fresh. 

Starting something new can be a difficult task especially if it is out of your comfort zone. Our faith can be tested in extreme highs and lows and learning how to walk out this new way of life can be met with adversity. There are questions that come to our minds in these seasons such as: How do I actually live a life centered on Jesus? How do I learn this new position? How do I have a healthy marriage? How can I lead my kids in this next school year? 

Amidst all the questions and uncertainties, the Apostle Paul and the Prophet Isaiah understood something about God when it comes to facing new seasons. They understood that God is a path-maker. We need Him to set the new direction.

Isaiah told the people that God was doing something new in the land and that He was going to make a pathway through the wilderness and create rivers in dry places. Isaiah trusted that no matter what was happening in the world, God had a way of making a path for those who trust Him. 

It can feel as though we are in new territory and a new way of doing life however, if we put our trust in God, He will make a path for us. The Apostle Paul understood that when we trust in Jesus Christ, the old life passes away and we walk into newness. In other words, God’s got this! 

Step into this new season fully trusting and believing that God will make a pathway and order our steps according to His purposes.

Reflection Question:

What is new in my life that I can trust God with?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, guide my steps

First step: Breathe, I trust you

Second step: Breathe, I believe you

Third step: Rejoice, I see your path

Fourth step: Praise, God’s got this

Amen

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1

Finding Rhythm and Maintaining Endurance

All throughout the Bible we are encouraged to run this race called life. But not to just run, to run well. The healthiest of runners are those who find their rhythm with a steady pace. Pace is the determining factor for finishing well or giving up. 

Most people don’t wake up each day with a desire to give up, but there are times where we all wrestle with HOW to keep moving forward. Today may have been one of those days for you. How can I get through this day without giving up and losing myself? We have to find our rhythm. 

The Apostle Paul teaches us that we are in a race, but not a race against one another. We are in a race running to the finish line of life, and we all want to finish well.

How Do I Find Rhythm and Maintain Endurance So That I Can Finish Well?

Stop Doing so Much Stuff

It is so easy for us to fall into the trap of doing, leading, and participating in so many things that we lose ourselves. We lose sight of our purpose and goals in attempting to do everything, and the truth is we aren’t good to anyone as a counterfeit version of ourselves. We get caught up in the instant gratification of every new thing, and then realize we did not enjoy any of it because we were focused on the next best thing. Spend time doing things that matter most.

Establish a Rhythm of Rest

An old-time preacher once said, “Sometimes, one of the most spiritual things you can do is take a nap.” Whatever your pace in life may be, it will require rest. Rest will either be forced upon you because you have burnt out and have nothing left to give OR you have set aside time to relax, to be with family, and to enjoy life. You get to decide. There is a reason why God established the Sabbath Day as a Day of Rest. It is God’s desire that we take time to rest. 

Remember, the goal of this life is not to just finish life quickly and in a hurry, but to finish life well. The Apostle Paul urges us to run with endurance that we may obtain the prize. 

Reflection Question:

What do I need to stop in my next season?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, train me to run

To run with endurance

To run focused, to run well

To run toward you

Amen

Scriptures: James 5:13-16, 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Power of Prayer

“To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ.” —Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline)

“If your heart hungers for souls to be saved and your nation to be turned to God…then the life of prayer is a must.” —Paul Y. Cho (Prayer: Key to Revival)

We all want to live a life that carries meaning and purpose. We want to see our family thrive in every season regardless of what may come. We want to hear God’s voice and be lead in the right direction for our life. We all desire this. However, intentions are not actions. 

It can also be true that we all want these things right now, instantaneously. We want to snap our fingers, say a word, press the button, and it happen exactly as we desire it. This is often a false reality. This is often how we view and see prayer. If I say the magic words then it should happen, right? 

Prayer, as Richard Foster notes, is the central avenue God uses to transform us and to be changed for the better. This does not occur in an instant moment, but in a gradual, habitual lifestyle of prayer. To pray is to seek God’s heart. To pray is to confess your sins, and share your heart with God. To pray is also to listen and focus on God’s voice through His word. 

Where do we find a life that carries meaning and purpose? It’s found in moments of prayer. How do we see our families thrive, persevere, and overcome in every season? It is done through moments of prayer. How do we hear God’s voice and find direction for our life? We hear him in moments of prayer.

The Apostle James understood that, “The earnest prayers of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (5:16b) Prayer is the fuel to a greater spiritual life. It is the difference between life and death in your spirit. Prayer is the power and the key that unlocks victory in your life.

Reflection Question:

What do I need to give to God today in prayer?

Prayer:

Lord, as I pray, help me pray

As I pray, speak to me

As I pray, hear me

As I pray, change me

As I pray, have your way

Amen

Scriptures: John 16:31-33, Romans 8:31-39

More Than Conquerors

There are moments and seasons in our life when we can feel utterly helpless, unable to reach out and grab the thing we desire most. Sometimes life has a way of intruding its will upon us without our permission causing conflict, unrest, and pain. The loss of loved ones. The doctors report of sickness. A marriage left in shambles. Not being accepted into this school or job. 

In our gospel passage, Jesus is informing His disciples that He is about to leave. He knew that life is going to get rocky for His followers. It will get so difficult that they will feel scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This all became a reality for them. They faced their leader being crucified, they were chased down by the Roman government, and suffered persecution because of their faith. 

In the midst of all of this, I am sure there were times when they remembered what Jesus said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.” What does this mean? How does this apply to us? 

The Apostle Paul teaches us that because Jesus has overcome the world, we too as believers can be more than conquerors. If God be for us, who can be against us? Victory is ours through Jesus. 

As Jesus said 2000 years ago, we are going to face many trials. But through His power we can survive it. We can be more than conquerors. The loss we have experienced doesn’t have the final word. The doctors report is not the final word. Life does not always unfold the way we desire it to, but Jesus has made a way for us to be more than conquerors.

The Apostle Paul was convinced that nothing could separate us from the love and victory of God found in Christ Jesus. No death, no sickness, or mistake is strong enough to withstand the victory that is offered in Jesus. 

Take Heart! Jesus has overcome the world. 

Reflection Question:

What part of my life do I need the overcoming power of Jesus to work in?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I don’t understand right now,

I do not feel like an overcomer,

But I will hold fast to your word,

You have overcome the world,

Make me more than a conqueror.

Amen