Scriptural Foundation:
2 Corinthians 5:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Romans 12:2 King James Version (KJV)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Matthew 9:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)
No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.
Reflection:
It is that time of year again…it is like a bomb went off in my bedroom…sigh. The dreaded season shifting process. Honestly, I don’t know why sometimes I take the time to save things for the kiddos when half the time the kids, apart from our youngest (hand-me-downs are great!), outgrown half their stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I am prepared with some items like shirts, but shorts…I don’t know why I don’t think to buy larger sets at the end of the season in preparation for the next warm season and avoid the mad scramble at the first hot stretch of warm weather. Thankfully this attempted preparation is not futile because I am able to sow some clothes in season to others which is a big blessing because apparently, I am not the only one that really dreads shopping
In the Spirit, season changing can be just as frustrating. The Bible says to renew our minds daily, if we do this diligently more often than not our spiritual “shorts” may give us a wedgie when things get hot and we approach situations with old tactics. It is not until we apply new tactics that our “shorts” fit and we can move through that season with ease and comfort in the Lord.
There are things and situations that are meant to carryover between season changes in your life. While others must be purged as testimonies to make room for the new things/people that the Lord wants to bring in. It is hard letting go of some things or some people that we have out grown spiritually, but to keep them in your spiritual “wardrobe” would only limit your momentum forward. Trust me, short-shorts are not a one size fits all item. Do yourself a favor and get yourself some new shorts (deeper things of God) and give away your old shorts (testimonies).
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. – Hebrews 5:12-134
- In your current season of life, are you pouring new wine into old wine skins?
- Are there certain situations in your life that are stuck? Certain unproductive cycles?
- Ask the Holy Spirit if it is time you changed something to fit your new season.
Good morning Terri,
Advancing Through Adversity
Isaiah 63:9
At medical checkups, children periodically need immunizations. Boys and girls may not understand that inoculations protect them; from their point of view, they are experiencing pain—while someone who loves them is allowing it! Such an experience affords a little insight into God’s dealings with His children. It answers one of the questions we often ask when painful things happen to us: Where is God?
The Bible tells us that “in all their affliction He was afflicted” (Isa. 63:9). You may remember your earthly father restraining you so that the doctor could administer the injection. Perhaps you recall him commenting that the experience hurt him more than it did you. That is exactly what our heavenly Father is describing in this Bible passage. To a childish mind, it is an utterly incomprehensible concept, but when we have children of our own, we grasp it clearly. We then begin to understand what kind of a God we have. He Himself entered into all our agony, and He has tasted the last drop in our own cup of suffering.
Where is God? He is where the pain is. The book of Isaiah says, “He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him” (Isa. 53:5).
As you face hard times, look into the Savior’s tear-stained face—you won’t see anything but love. If we would follow Jesus, we must bear the fellowship of His suffering. We must go where He is, and the cross is one of the sweetest places to find Him.
2 Chronicles 4-7