October is a traditional time for church stewardship and commitment campaigns, a time to “re-up” so to speak. What if this October, we took a long look at our own faith and our call to “Re” in every aspect of our lives?
October 11- Re:New- Romans 12:1-2
Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. There’s a connection between what we take in and what we give out. The world seeks to form us in ways that leave us afraid, angry, and alone. God seeks to transform us into his will to be good, acceptable, and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
New Revised Standard Version
The New Life in Christ
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual[b] worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d]
October 18- Re:Concile- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Paul says that God is working in the world to reconcile people, to forgive sin, and to heal brokenness. He then makes the bold claim, that God has entrusted to us (his followers) that same task: to be ministers of reconciliation. Which means we have to give up some of our old ways and become new creations. It’s tough work, but it literally saves lives.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19
New Revised Standard Version
17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,[a] not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
October 25- Re:Commit- Philippians 3:12-14 (Commitment Sunday)
Every day is a gift from God, and every day is a change to start over. We get to recommit to following Jesus, put our money where our faith is, and offering ourselves in ministry to the world. And no matter what happened yesterday, Paul reminds us to “Press On.”
Philippians 3:12-14
New Revised Standard Version
Pressing toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal;[a] but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved,[b] I do not consider that I have made it my own;[c] but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly[d] call of God in Christ Jesus.