From the Edges – Seeking to Refresh

From the Edges – Seeking to Refresh
Pastor Calvin Cook – July 10, 2024
Scripture focus – Psalm 96:1-2 Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Sometime when we are on a website or working on the computer and have been in the same place too long with out activity, we will get a message “Do you want to continue”, or my favorite is “To continue you will need to refresh”. What does it look like in our relationship with Jesus. Are we in need of saying “Yes, I need to refresh”.

This morning feels like one of those mornings. There are several things on my mind and heart that I am really feeling the need to press the refresh button. There are physical, mental, relational, situational, economical, financial, and philosophical concerns that either singularly or some grouped together that tether us from seeing and feeling the real need. When our entire focus is on these thoughts of self and of the world, the situations of our soul including many times our relationship with God are forfeited and we fail to realize the need for refreshment of our soul.

At some point we are going to need to make our soul and soul care priority. I prescribe to the idea and thought that mind, body, and soul or spirit must be in balance with each other. For this to happen there must at many times, actually all the time the soul and spirit must take priority for the mind and body to know contentment, hope, and peace.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time praying through the Song of Thanks of King David found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 (I see a future series of devotionals coming from here). I prayed “May I give thanks for all that I have and for the things Lord you keep me from having that distract me from you.” May I make known your goodness to all people through your mighty deeds breathed into my life.” This is just two breath prayers from the 8th verse. As I prayed, I began to feel refreshed.

In order to feel this refreshment and reset we first need to spend dedicated time with God. In the coming days of Pastoral Ministry, I am going to be devoting a lot of time in my prayer life and hopefully help others to find that a heart for prayer. (More on this later.) But we must be willing to make ourselves available to God. Maybe that is truly where we are desiring the refreshment that is needed.

Today I am praying that you be refreshed by the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in your life that will guide you and direct you through your submission.