ARE YOU READY FOR A LIFE RENEWAL THAT GIVES YOU NEW STRENGTH?

SCRIPTURE:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 
(Isaiah 40:31)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever reached a point in your life where you just felt “worn out”?
Things that were once easy have become a tiring struggle.
Not only do you lack the strength to run, 
but even a long walk becomes laborious.
You think, “If only I could regain the strength I once had”.

If this describes you, 
I have good news – you can have your strength renewed.
However, there is a requirement you have to fulfill.
You need to place your hope in the Lord.
“hope” means 
to have faith and confidence in someone – in this case, the Lord.

Having hope in the Lord is not just something you say, and it happens.
It requires action.
When you have hope in the Lord, 
you are willing to surrender your life to Him.
You have confidence that He can change your life, your goals and your focus.

Instead of being self-centered, you are willing to be God-centered.
And when you are genuine in this commitment, 
you prove it through obedience to His commands.
You also learn to consult Him and learn from Him.

When you trust Him, He can teach you how to become a brand new person.
A person with a greater love for others, a greater concern for their needs, 
and a greater desire to obey the Lord’s commands.
This new desire shows itself as you commit to the Lord 
in areas you have previously ignored or refused to obey. 
It is an exhilarating experience to live the new life, 
with Christ to enable you to live it.

As a man was riding along in his Ford, suddenly something went wrong. 
He got out and looked at the engine, but he could find nothing wrong. 
As he stood there, another car came in sight, 
and he waved it down to ask for help. 
Out of a brand-new Lincoln stepped a tall, 
friendly man who asked, “Well, what’s the trouble?” 
“I cannot get this Ford to move”, was the reply.

The stranger made a few adjustments under the hood 
and then said, “Now start the car”. 
When the motor started, 
its grateful owner introduced himself 
and then asked, “What is your name, sir?” 
“My name”, answered the stranger, “is Henry Ford”.

The one who made the Ford knew how to make it run. 
God made you and me, and He alone knows how to run your life and mine. 
We could make a complete wreck of our lives without Christ. 
When He is at the controls, all goes well. 
Without Him, we can do nothing.

ACTION:
Have you experienced the Lord renewing your strength?
Have you expressed hope in Him and completely surrendered your life to Him?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I place my hope in You. Forgive me for my 
self-centeredness to this point and help me to become You-centered 
going forward. I know there are areas of my life that I have failed 
to give to You. Today, I surrender these areas to You and commit to 
following You and Your commands including those that I have previously 
ignored or blatantly refused to obey. Forgive me for my sinfulness and 
renew me as the new person You want me to be. Give me the necessary 
strength to follow You regardless of outside influences that try to 
discourage me from committing my life to You. You know me better than 
I know myself and I pray that You would teach me to rely completely on 
You for my strength and needs.”