Monday April 18, 2022

Today is Easter Monday, April 18 and we are exploring what the bible says about new birth in Christ.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, enlighten my heart and mind as I search the holy scriptures. God, teach me how to listen for your voice and help me understand what you are saying in my life. I am listening. Speak to me in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I seek the joyous renewal of God’s abiding presence with the words of Psalm 51.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12

Pause and Pray

Titus was an important companion of Paul. He accompanied the apostle to Jerusalem and helped with the leadership of the church in Corinth. Paul wrote this brief New Testament epistle to Titus while he was serving on the island of Crete, organizing the early church there. The letter encompasses a sound collection of tenet beliefs and pastoral teachings. The following passage from the third chapter of Titus informs our doctrinal understanding of regeneration. Regeneration is the renewal of a person in righteousness through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit and is also called the new birth. Regeneration constitutes a real change in the nature of a human soul done by the Holy Spirit. We are justified (made righteous by God) and we are regenerated (changed by the Holy Spirit) – awakening to truth, obtaining assurance, gaining victory over sin and being filled with love.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

Despite my wanton disobedience and inherent sinful nature, the goodness and loving kindness of God never abandons me, but graciously appears and reappears in my life. God saved me. God did not save me because of my good deeds, my seemingly upright living, my diligence, my successes or any perceived righteousness on my part. God saved me according to his mercy. I am saved by the spiritual washing of regeneration, a cleansing new birth of my soul. I am renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit whom God pours out lavishly on me through Jesus. I am justified by the grace of Christ and I am an heir with the hope of eternal life. I am God’s beloved child. My regeneration is not the peak of my salvation, but marks the beginning of a lifelong journey toward holiness of heart and life. Regeneration is the “gate” to sanctification (John Wesley, The New Birth).

Ask: As I reflect on my spiritual journey, what season of my life would I call my season of justification? Am I able to identify the changes God worked in me through the power of the Holy Spirit (regeneration)?

Pause and Pray

Gracious Lord God, I am deeply grateful for the loving kindness you demonstrated by coming to find me, claiming my soul and not letting me go. Thank you for saving me by your mercy and grace, forgiving my sins, justifying, washing, regenerating, and renewing me through the power of your Holy Spirit. You changed me for good and put a new heart and spirit within me. I read the words from Titus again and listen for the message you have for me.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I find it utterly remarkable that God tries to speak to me everyday through the words of holy scripture. I often discover new insights in the text when I pay close attention and take time to ruminate and reflect. Today’s passage is full of hope for my soul. I consider what God’s grace in Jesus Christ has already done for me. What might God want to do for me today? What might God want to do for me in the future? Perhaps God is revealing the next step on my spiritual journey toward holiness, crossing through the gate of regeneration to the promised hope of christian maturity.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, bring your soul-washing power of rebirth, regeneration and renewal, wake me up and reveal what more you have for me in the Christian life. Open my eyes to see, although I was once blind. Open my ears to hear, although I was once deaf. Let my spiritual lungs breathe in the fresh air of new life in this new birth. Amen.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:25-26

I leave this time of prayer changed by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. I go with a heart full of love, joy, hope and peace to share with the people around me.

Amen