Restart Time

From the world of IT we’ve all learned the value of restarts. When something isn’t working correctly on your computer, it’s the first step to a cure. By restarting your  hardware and software, something (mysterious to me) happens. Quite often, things “magically” begin to function properly. Some experts suggest that up to half of all computer or smart device operating issues can be fixed with a reboot!

What’s true in the tech world is also true in many other areas of life. Often the fix we need to get back on the right track in our relationship with God and others is a restart.

In our spiritual lives, a restart involves reviewing and renewing the right way of thinking and acting. It’s reminding ourselves of God’s operating system — of how He works in our world, in our lives, and through us.

 

Here’s some simple reminders to help us get a fresh spiritual restart.

With God:

• The small thingsare the big things.

God measures our capacity for bigger things by testing us with small things.

Luke 16:10 (NIV)

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much … “

• The low places are the high places.

Jesus taught us that the way up is down. Humility brings honor. Pride brings a fall!

Matthew 23:12 (NIV)

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

• “Towels” are more important than titles.

Many people base their identity on their title. Jesus never did. He taught us to care less about titles, and to care more about “towels” — serving others!

John 13:3-5 (NIV)

“Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him.”

• Attitudes determine altitudes.

Up or down — it’s all about our attitudes. Attitudes always determine the altitudes of life!

Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

“ … let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”

• Connectedness is a key to fruitfulness.

Connection involves alignment. It’s about harmony, unity and dependency. It’s about active engagement. Connection to God and others is a key to a fruitful and successful life.

John 15:4, 5 (NIV)

“Remain in Me, as I remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me… apart from Me you can do nothing.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement.”

• Admitting weakness is the pathway to greater strength.

Acknowledging our weaknesses demonstrates humility, and allows us to willingly lean and depend on God and others for strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

James 4:6 (NKJV)

“ … God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

• Availability is more important that ability.

God isn’t looking for people with phenomenal abilities. He’s looking for people who are simply available to be used by Him, irregardless of their abilities!

Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

Take some time and review these restart principles. Let them refresh your spiritual operating system!

Pastor Dale

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