Quotes About Renewal

once God rescues sinners, his plan is not to steer them beyond the gospel but to move them more deeply into it—that the gospel doesn't simply ignite the Christian life but is also the fuel that keeps Christians going and growing every day.

But Scotty has helped me to realize that once God rescues sinners, his plan is not to steer them beyond the gospel but to move them more deeply into it—that the gospel doesn't simply ignite the Christian life but is also the fuel that keeps Christians going and growing every day.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Rev. 21:4–5 NIV)

Give us redemptive discontent until our hearts rest again in you.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (Ezek. 36:25–27)

Salvation is not just about going to heaven when we die. It's about becoming like you, Jesus—being transformed into your likeness. Only the resources of the gospel are sufficient for such a task, for we're not just separated from God by a great distance, we are thoroughly broken and corrupted by sin. We need a big gospel for our great need. Indeed, there's nothing more than the gospel, there is just more of the gospel.

You see, like many who grew up in church, I once assumed the gospel was simply what non-Christians must believe in order to be saved, and then afterward we advance to deeper theological waters. But Scotty has helped me to realize that once God rescues sinners, his plan is not to steer them beyond the gospel but to move them more deeply into it—that the gospel doesn't simply ignite the Christian life but is also the fuel that keeps Christians going and growing every day.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Rom. 15:13)

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Ps. 34:18)

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest. (Heb. 4:9–11)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (Rev. 21:1)

Restore to us the joy of your salvation, Jesus. Bring us back to the childlike wonder of our early days of knowing you. May your welcoming heart once again be extended to stranger and friend alike. Oh, to enjoy the favor of those around us simply because you are so clearly in our midst. I pray in your welcoming and renewing name. Amen.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4–7 NIV)

Why not us, Jesus, and why not now? We're tired of playing church. We're bored with ourselves. Magnify your name in our midst and in this hour. We pray in your most majestic and merciful name. Amen.

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. (Ps. 85:6–7 NIV)

May we come to the point where we'd sooner avoid oxygen and water than the means of grace.

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. (Isa. 65:17–19 NIV)

Glorious Prince of Peace, you who one day will reconcile wolves and lambs, leopards and goats, calves and lions—give me the desire, the humility, and the grace to be a man of peace. As far as it is in my own power (Rom. 12:18–21) and as far as the power of the gospel will take me, let me live as an agent of your reconciling love. I pray in your peerless and peace-full name. Amen.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jer. 31:25 NIV)

Now the Earth's face is lathered white with shaving soap It's a long time till the razor once more makes its face smooth and fresh and green.

What wastrel mankind destroyed takes time for nature to put to rights.

If you never stop when you wave goodbye you just might find, if you give it time, you will wave hello again.

Every time we click the shutter, it's like a new day, a new chance to make a clean start, to be original. It's a very exciting and exhausting thing to do.

When it comes to Fashion Week, I think it's time to hit a refresh.