This is the second devotional for the week of September 9-13. This is a devotional from the Our Daily Bread website. Read this devotional and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below the post. Three or four sentences would be good. Your comments give you devotion credit.
Better Than Ever
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day"2 Corinthians 4:16
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a spectacular building. Its architecture is spellbinding, and its stained-glass windows and beautiful interior features are breathtaking. But after centuries of towering over the Paris landscape, it needed renovation—which had begun when a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the glorious old building.
So the people who love this eight-century-old landmark are coming to its rescue. More than a billion dollars has been raised to restore the building. The stone structure must be shored up. The damaged interior and its prized artifacts need to be repaired. The effort is worthwhile, though, because for many this ancient cathedral stands as a symbol of hope.
What’s true of buildings is also true of us. Our bodies, like this old church, will eventually look a bit worse for wear! But as the apostle Paul explains, there’s good news: while we might gradually lose the physical vibrancy of youth, the core of who we are—our spiritual being—can be continually renewed and growing (2 Corinthians 4:16).
As “we make it our goal to please [the Lord]” (5:9), relying on the Holy Spirit to fill and transform us (3:18; Ephesians 5:18), our spiritual growth need never stop—no matter what our “building” looks like.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
Where have you seen the Spirit renewing your spiritual being?
How does the knowledge that our spiritual growth never stops inspire you?
"God, thank You for Your Spirit renewing and transforming us.
Please continue to give us the strength and courage to rest in You."
Where have you seen the Spirit renewing your spiritual being?
How does the knowledge that our spiritual growth never stops inspire you?
"God, thank You for Your Spirit renewing and transforming us.
Please continue to give us the strength and courage to rest in You."
A wonderful message. Very true and it directly relates to me as a teacher. At the beginning of the year you feel ready to take it on, by the time winter break roles around I take that time to recharge both physically and spiritually.
ReplyDeleteWhere i have felt renewed in my faith recently has been in my quiet moments with God. When I can escape and find my center is when I feel the most calm. It's really amazing to see how we are always growing. We never stop growing and changing in our faith. We have this divine ability to allow God to always work. I need to remember that God is here- when I struggle through health issues always remembering that HE IS PRESENT, and that HE SEE'S ME. Please continue to renew my health Lord, keep my heart open to you always and keep my head centered on you.
ReplyDeleteI'll echo what Holly said - in the quiet moments. That is often when I feel the Holy Spirit working within me. And while it is inspiring that our spiritual growth never stops, it is also daunting. How much do we not know/understand, and how much we have yet to grow!
ReplyDeleteThis year has been one of the most trying times of my life and I count on God constantly renewing my spirit to get through it. Through four deaths in my family, as soon as I start to heal, I feel like my world is shattered again. Music has been my source of renewal. I cannot imagine my life without the restorative power of music.
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