Coming up on Renewed Mindsets . Today , we're going to talk about the warmth of God's presence in the middle of the chill of winter and the coldness of our hearts . Let's discover the scriptures that bring warmth , comfort and the renewal of our minds in these cold seasons . Let's go boys . In these cold seasons , let's go boys .
Hey , welcome to Renewed Mindsets , bringing you God's truth from a Gen X perspective , with a mix of humor and a dash of nostalgia . Remember when life was simpler and all we needed was a good mixtape ? Well , we're here to make your spiritual playlist even better . Join us as we explore scripture , laugh a little and rediscover the power of a renewed mindset .
Don't conform transform . Welcome back to Renewed Mindsets . I'm Rick and I'm so glad you're here . Today . We're jumping into a topic that's as chilling as the winter wind , cold weather and what scripture reveals about it .
Now , whether you're literally wrapping up against the frost that's happening right now , or feeling a spiritual chill in your heart , this episode will provide you substantial warmth from God's word . Settle in , because we're going to have a lot to cover , from the physical cold that we're feeling right now to the spiritual implications it carries .
So , in the Bible , the elements aren't merely part of our physical world , they serve profound spiritual lessons . Let's start with Job , chapter 37 , where it says out of the south comes the storm and cold out of the north , but by the breath of God , ice is given and the broad waters are frozen .
God's control over the natural world , including the bitter cold , shows his omnipotent power , a reminder that nothing happens outside his sovereign will . Now , along with that , you could jump to Proverbs , chapter 25 . We see the reliability and the trustworthy messenger likened to the physical relief but spiritual refreshment .
It's a metaphor for how God's word can cool the heart of our trials and tribulations . Now let's consider a real-life example . Farmers depend on the yearly snow to provide essential moisture for crops . Just like that , we depend on God's timely word to nourish our spirits . Just like that we depend on God's timely word to nourish our spirits .
Another symbol is found in Psalms , where snow is seen as a purifier . In Psalm 51-7 , david says Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean . Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow . No-transcript . Now , god's mastery over the cold is not just a display of power . It's a demonstration of his meticulous care for creation .
Psalm 147 , 16 and 17 tells us he gives snow like wool . He scatters the frost like ashes . He casts out his hail like morsels who can stand before the cold . These verses paint a picture of God as the grand artist of the universe , using weather like a painter , uses color . Each stroke is deliberate , each hue is placed with intention .
Now this all brings us how God uses the cold to teach us about preparedness and resilience . Let's talk about an ant or the ant .
Proverbs 6 , 8 says go to the ant , thou sluggard , consider her ways and be wise which , having no guide , overseer or ruler , and be wise which , having no guide , overseer or ruler , provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest . The ant doesn't just survive , it prepares , it stores , it , plans ahead .
These scriptures are a call for us to be prepared not just for the winter seasons of the year , but for the winters of our lives . Spiritual , emotional , financial , even Real life ties in here as well . Now think about societies and how they prepare for winter .
Just like communities stockpile salt to melt snow and ice , we have to stockpile spiritual truth to melt away the hardness that can form in cold , challenging times . God's provision extends beyond physical needs . It's demonstrated when he protected the Israelites with a cloud of fire in the desert .
Now , this dual provision of warmth at night and shade by the day that they talk about in Exodus emphasizes his care in all conditions . Now , as we turn our focus to spiritual coldness , we need to recognize how these scriptures are relevant in the end times that we're living in .
Jesus told us in Matthew 24 , 12 , because lawlessness will be increased , the love of many will grow cold . This isn't just a prophecy . It's a direct reflection of our times . Just look at it , watch the news , notice how people are when you go out to the store . The increasing lawlessness and moral decay make this warning so pertinent in our lives right now .
Now , how do we maintain our spiritual warmth in these chilling times ? Revelation , chapter 3 , warns against lukewarm faith . I know your works . You are neither hot nor cold . Would you that you were either cold or hot ? So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold , I will spit you out of my mouth .
God calls us to be fervent , to stoke the fire of our faith through a closer relationship with him , fervent prayer and an engaged community of believers , acts of kindness and love .
They're our spiritual firewood , and not only do they keep our hearts warm , but they also keep those around us warm , countering all the chilling indifference of the world with the heat of god's love . Look at the story of elijah confronting the prophets of baal in first king 18 his zeal , his fieryal .
If we're talking about chilling , not just literal fire from heaven serves as a model for how we should combat spiritual coldness with the fire of true faith and on our personal lives , this might look like being proactive in our communities , offering warmth through acts of kindness , engaging more deeply in our local church , or just being vocal , just being a witness
to God's truth in a world that often seems frozen in indifference . You may be off work because of the cold from all this arctic weather we've been having . As I come to the end of this today , I need you to focus on and reflect on both the literal and the spiritual cold .
Let's commit to not just enduring the cold this year , in the cold seasons of life , but we need to thrive through them . By deepening our scripture study , engaging in prayer , active prayer and actively showing love , we can melt away any frost that tries to settle in our hearts . I want to thank you for spending this time with me on Renewed Mindsets .
My prayer is that you carry the warmth of God's love out into the cold , and I pray that your faith is always fiery and fervent . Friends , stay warm in every way Until next week . Keep renewing your mind in Christ . Well , that's all for this week's show . You know , the name of this show speaks my hope for you .
It's taken from the words of Romans 12 , verse 2 . Do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God , what is good and acceptable and perfect . If you enjoyed what you heard , do me a favor , please , and tell someone you know about it .
Send them a link in a text you know . You may even need to download it to their phone and show them what a podcast is . If it was valuable to you , it will be to them . Visit renewedmindsetscom to hear past episodes , read the blog and check out the new merch .
And , as always , while you're there , send me a voicemail by clicking the button at the bottom right corner of the main page . Tell me what you think about this show . I just might play it on a future episode . Until next week , I'm rick . I love you , see ya . The intro and outro music for the Renewed Mindsets podcast is Are you Ready ?
By Floodgate From the album Are you Ready ? Copyright 2002 , offbeat Ministries Incorporated . Floodgate can be found on Apple Music and iTunes . Music used with permission . I'm Mr White Christmas . I'm Mr Snow . I'm Mr Icicle , I'm Mr Ten Below . Friends call me Snow Miser . Whatever I touch Turns to snow in my clutch . I'm too much .
Ha Blub , blub , blub , blub , blub , blub , blub , blub , blub , blub . He's Mr White Christmas . He's .