Day 1: Introduction & Day 1 Readings

God calls us to renew our minds. We’re to set our minds on “things above, not on the things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). We’re also called to let our minds dwell on what is good, true, and beautiful (Philippians 4:8).

One big way that we renew our minds is by reading and meditating on God’s Word regularly. This Bible reading plan, based on Ken Boa’s popular Handbook to Renewal, is the perfect bookend to your day (morning or evening). It offers hundreds of affirmations in 5 categories. These categories progress in focus from God to self to others, representing a well-balanced spiritual diet:

1. The Attributes of God
2. The Works of God
3. My Relationship to God
4. The Character I Want to Cultivate
5. My Relationship to Others

Dr. Boa has adapted verses in each category, making them personal prayers. You can read these adaptations in the devotional for each day.

These daily readings speak truths about every follower of Jesus. Our hope is that they will:

• Encourage you to walk by faith, not feelings.
• Tell you the truth, not lies, about how things really are.
• Remind you that God is in control and has your best interests at heart.

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Today’s Renewal Readings

The Attributes of God

You are my God, and I will give thanks to You; You are my God, and I will exalt You. I will give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His loyal love endures forever. (Psalm 118:28–29)

God is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. (1 Timothy 6:15–16)

The Works of God

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of Your hands, and You put everything under his feet. (Psalm 8:3–6)

O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. (Isaiah 37:16)

My Relationship to God

You have blessed me and kept me; You have made Your face shine upon me and have been gracious to me; You have turned Your face toward me and given me peace. (Numbers 6:24–26)

I have been loved by God and called to be a saint; grace and peace have been given to me from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)

The Character I Want to Cultivate

Lord, who may dwell in Your tabernacle? Who may live on Your holy mountain? He who walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart; he does not slander with his tongue nor does evil to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against his friend; he despises the reprobate but honors those who fear the Lord. He keeps his oath even when it hurts, lends his money without interest, and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:1–5)

I will let my eyes look straight ahead and will fix my gaze straight before me. I will ponder the path of my feet so that all my ways will be established. I will not turn to the right or to the left but will keep my foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:25–27)

My Relationship to Others

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

We must be devoted to one another in brotherly love, honoring one another above ourselves. (Romans 12:10)