June 2, 2026 – Renewal
Our friend, Bob, was awarded this Schurr Sail at the end of a regatta in Pensacola, FL. It wasn’t difficult to twist his arm to raise it and see how it performs.
Prevail #153 – “The Miracle in the Mess” is the title of Larson’s devotion today. That sail looked like a mess after it was pulled out of the bag and piled up on the front of the boat ready to be put to use. It required a lot of balance, precision, and patience for Bob to get everything rigged, but once it was up and caught the wind, Bob was pleased with the extra speed we got as compared to his older sail that wasn’t holding the wind as well due to some repair areas and the sun shining through tiny holes that weren’t as noticeable on gray days.
Larson leads with Proverbs 14:4, “Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest,” and then tells about “…a business owner who was all about appearances. He had the nicest building. The nicest equipment. And he lived the life of the wealthy. Yet his employees were floundering and discouraged, underpaid and overworked. He’s since gone out of business. When façade matters more than fruit, we sacrifice our influence and our impact.” Bob was thrilled to win third place in one of the races. His older sail did the job just fine, but I do wonder where he would have placed with a sturdier sail.
Larson continues, “…when we’re committed to God’s people, God’s process, and God’s purposes, we’ll find miraculous life change, community impact, and kingdom movement. But it’s often messy. People are broken. Relationships complicated. Conflict is no fun. And growth takes time. But that’s why godly, humble, and visionary leaders are so incredibly important in the kingdom of God. There’s a big difference between a flashy appearance and a fruitful life…. Don’t get discouraged by the messes in life. It just means you’re alive and on the road to redemption like the rest of us. And it takes a strong person to stay the course, maintain perspective, and keep hope alive. Don’t miss the everyday miracles in the messes of life. Jesus did life this way. He understands. And He’s in it with you.”
Power – Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world…but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind….” Joyce reminds us that, “If you want to experience the good will of God for your life, you have to learn how to think the way God thinks, see yourself as God sees you, and renew your mind through studying His Word. Renewing the mind is a process that takes time…. Learn to agree with all that God says to you in His Word and to disagree with all the lies of Satan. God has a good plan for you, and He desires to release it in your life.”
JC – “Relax in My healing, holy Presence. Be still, while I transform your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries, so that you can receive My Peace. Cease striving, and know that I am God…. This requires spending time alone with Me.” See Psalm 46:10.
Days – “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in Him” (Col. ii. 6). Simpson explains, “Here is the very core of spiritual life. It is not a subjective state so much as a life in the heart…. When this becomes real, ‘Ye are dead’; your own condition, states and resources are no longer counted upon any more than a dead man’s, but ‘your life is hid with Christ in God.’”
Utmost – Chambers adds, “The Psalmist says we are to be haunted by God. [Psalm 25:12] The abiding consciousness of the life is to be God, not thinking about Him. The whole of our life inside and out is to be absolutely haunted by the presence of God. A child’s consciousness is so mother-haunted that although the child is not consciously thinking of its mother, yet when calamity arises, the relationship that abides is that of the mother. So we are to live and move and have our being in God, to look at everything in relation to God…. If we are haunted by God, nothing else can get in, no cares, no tribulation, no anxieties. We see now why Our Lord so emphasized the sin of worry…. We rob ourselves of the marvellous revelation of this abiding companionship of God.”
JA – “FIX YOUR EYES not on what is seen but on what is unseen. You spend too much time and mental energy thinking about trivial things – surface matters that have no value in My kingdom…. When you seek Me, you enjoy the company of the only perfect Person who ever existed…. I am the One who can love you with unfailing Love and give you perfect Peace.” See 2 Cor. 4:18, Psalm 36:7, and Isaiah 26:3.
Streams – Cowman brings A. B. Simpson back into the conversation, “Dear soul, you may scarcely realize the value of your present situation. If you are enduring great afflictions right now, you are at the source of the strongest faith. God will teach you during these dark hours to have the most powerful bond to His throne you could ever know, if you will only submit. ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe’ (Mark 5:36). But if you are ever afraid, simply look up and say, ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in you’ (Ps. 56:3). Then you will be able to thank God for His school of sorrow that became for you the school of faith.”
JL – “Gentle Jesus, Sometimes I need Your help even to ask for help. As I try to do several things at once, I find myself moving faster and faster – interrupting one thing to do another. [You have to be methodical on a sailboat not doing too many things at once.] …When I’m preparing to do something challenging, I usually take time to ask for Your help. But when I do everyday tasks, I tend to dive in unassisted – acting as if I can handle these matters alone. Yet it’s so much better to approach everything in humble dependence on You…. As I wait in Your loving Presence, I delight in hearing You speak these words of assurance: ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.’ In Your reassuring Name, Amen.” See Psalm 23:3.
