We cannot renew ourselves on our own. We can guard ourselves against corrupting influences. We can offer ourselves to God and come to discern His will more fully (Romans 12:1-2). Ultimately, however, God himself must do the renewing, not just when we are saved, but daily. Only God’s grace can sustain, empower, and renew us. Let’s offer ourselves to him. Then, let’s confidently ask for his grace to empower, perfect, and renew us!
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
Psalm 104:33-34
Thoughts on Psalm 104:33-34
Do you sing in the shower? What words are on your lips? Singing is such a wonderful gift! First, it is a gift from God to us, to help us express our joy, excitement, sorrow, and victory. Second, it is a gift from us to God, to help us communicate our respect, appreciation, love, and confidence in God. So let’s sing, praising God for what he has done, proclaiming what he will do, and sharing what he is currently doing in our lives!
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
While we look forward to the New Year it is wise to reflect on The Beginning so we can remind ourselves that the Lord our Heavenly Father is in charge.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1
