Tag: Renewal

How Do You See?

“To the pure, all things are pure. But to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” (Titus 1:15, NET)

We often think that the world around us determines how we see things. If life is good, we feel good. If life is bad, we feel bad. But Paul reminds Titus of a deeper truth—everything we experience is filtered through the lens of our own hearts and worldview. What we see and how we interpret it reflects who we are.

To the pure, Paul says, all things are pure. This isn’t naivety; it’s the result of a heart transformed by Christ. A pure heart views the world through the lens of grace, love, and trust in God. It seeks the good. It extends charity. It assumes the best intentions and sees opportunities for redemption, even in brokenness.

But to the corrupt, nothing is pure. Why? Because a corrupt heart projects its own intentions outward. Someone who lives in dishonesty assumes others are lying too. A bitter person sees only offense. A lustful heart objectifies. An unbelieving mind interprets everything as meaningless. In other words, our perception of the world becomes a mirror reflecting what’s already in us.

Jesus said something similar: “For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart” (Matthew 12:34). What’s in us comes out—not just in our words, but in how we see and interact with everything. If we’re holding onto sin, anger, or doubt, we’ll project that onto people, situations, and even God. But if we’re holding fast to Christ, we’ll see the world differently.

This truth calls us to examine our hearts. If cynicism, suspicion, or negativity seem to dominate your thoughts, ask: What am I filtering life through? Is my heart shaped by the purity of God’s truth, or am I projecting my brokenness onto the world?

The beauty of the Gospel is that Christ doesn’t leave us trapped in corruption. He transforms our hearts, renews our minds, and purifies our conscience. When we walk in that transformation, we begin to see life for what it really is: a place where God is working, redeeming, and calling us to reflect His goodness.

Today, consider your lens. Are you interpreting life through the purity of Christ, or through the corruption of your own brokenness? Surrender your heart to Him and let Him renew how you see—because the condition of your heart determines the clarity of your vision.

From a Trickle to a Torrent: When God’s Life Flows Through You

In Ezekiel 47, we read about a river flowing from the temple, starting as a trickle but quickly becoming a mighty, life-giving stream. As the river moves, it transforms everything in its path, bringing life to barren lands and healing even the salty, lifeless Dead Sea. This vision is more than a geographical restoration; it’s a profound picture of what happens when God’s presence and power flow into our lives.

Like the river in Ezekiel’s vision, God’s work in our lives often starts small. It may begin as a single moment—a prayer, a conviction, an encounter with Him. At first, it’s ankle-deep. We feel the refreshing presence of God, but we’re still in control. But as we step deeper into the flow, we begin to experience something more profound. What starts as a trickle of God’s life begins to swell, transforming not only us but also the areas of our lives that feel barren or lifeless.

The deeper we go, the less control we have—and that’s a good thing. As the river gets stronger, it moves us, reshaping our priorities, our desires, and our hearts. Where there was once spiritual dryness, God brings healing. Where we once felt stagnant, He causes us to flourish. This river is a symbol of God’s uncontainable life, and He invites us to step into its flow, allowing His presence to transform us completely.

But here’s the challenge: many of us are content to stay in the shallow waters. We’re hesitant to surrender fully, fearing what might happen if we lose control. But God calls us to dive deeper, to let His Spirit carry us where we cannot go on our own. Just as the river brings life to everything it touches, when we allow God’s presence to fully immerse us, we become a powerful witness to the source of life and healing for others.

The question for us today is: are we willing to wade deeper? Are we ready to let God take us beyond the comfortable and into the transformative depths of His presence? When we do, the impact isn’t just personal. Like the river in Ezekiel’s vision, God’s work in us will overflow into the world around us, bringing healing, renewal, and life to others.

An Inexhaustible God

In Isaiah 40:28-31, we are reminded of the vast difference between human strength and God’s inexhaustible power. The prophet Isaiah writes:

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV):

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.

Our human effort, no matter how determined or energetic, is ultimately limited and exhaustible. We grow tired, we get weary, and sometimes we simply cannot continue on our own strength. This is true in many areas of life:

In our careers, we often push ourselves to the brink, believing that success depends entirely on our effort. We stay late at the office, take on more responsibilities than we can handle, and neglect rest. This relentless pursuit can lead to burnout, where our physical and mental reserves are utterly depleted.

In relationships, we might try to be everything for everyone—supportive friend, perfect spouse, attentive parent. We give and give until there’s nothing left, and then wonder why we feel empty and exhausted.

Even in our spiritual lives, we might strive to earn God’s favor through our own efforts. We attend every church event, volunteer for every committee, and try to live up to a standard of perfection that leaves us feeling inadequate and spiritually drained.

In contrast, God’s power and resources are inexhaustible. He never grows tired or weary, and His understanding is beyond our comprehension. When we rely on our own strength, we inevitably fall short. But when we place our hope in the Lord, He renews our strength.

Think about a time when you were at your wit’s end, feeling like you had nothing left to give. Maybe it was during a particularly stressful period at work, a crisis in your family, or a moment of deep personal struggle. Now imagine facing that situation with the assurance that you have access to God’s infinite power and wisdom. How different might that experience have been?

Those who hope in the Lord will find their strength renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. This is not a promise of an easy life without challenges, but a guarantee that God’s strength will sustain us through whatever we face.

By looking to God rather than relying solely on ourselves or others, we tap into a source of strength that is limitless. We short-change ourselves when we fail to do this, settling for our own finite resources instead of embracing the infinite power available to us through faith.

Reflection Questions:

  • In what areas of your life are you relying too heavily on your own strength?
  • How can you shift your focus from your own efforts to trusting in God’s inexhaustible power?
  • Can you think of a specific situation where you need to hope in the Lord to renew your strength?