“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
My family is getting ready to leave for Florida for a ten day vacation. One of my favorite things to do right before we leave is go get my yearly pedicure. Ok, I call it yearly because it’s my excuse to go give my feet some much needed attention before I’m wearing cute sandals all week! Ha! My mom and mother-in-law are also going to Florida, so they went along and we had so much fun getting our mini-makeovers before our trip.
We were laughing at ourselves and our excitement over this mini make-over, but also realizing how much ‘cuter’ we all felt afterwards. And while a simple pedicure can be a small makeover, how much more vital and important are our spiritual makeovers?? So, today, when I went to have my quiet times, the devotional below sure caught my attention! I hope you are equally blessed and encouraged just as I was!
(This devotional is by Buddy Owens, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of ‘The Way of a Worshiper’.)
Change is great on the outside, but real change comes from the inside out. It’s more than cosmetic; it’s more than a skinnier version of the same old you. God wants you to be made new from the inside out – spirit, soul, and body.
God puts them in that order in his Word: “May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being – spirit, soul, and body – free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 TEV).
God knows that real change comes from the inside. It’s great’s to clean out the fridge and get rid of the junk food in the pantry. But what about the junk food in your head? The old lies, the empty values, the false perceptions? Ephesians 4:23 says, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds” (NIV).
There are two words in today’s verse from Romans 12 that I want to focus on --
1.Conform. According to the dictionary, conform means to “make or become the same” or “to behave in a conventional way by accepting without question the customs, traditions and prevailing opinions of others.” How often do we do this? We think, “Oh everybody else is doing it so it must be okay.” But God says, “Don’t conform to the ways of this world. Stop and think about what you’re doing.”
2.Transform. Transform means “to change the condition, function, nature, character or personality” of something. It means changing from the inside out. In Romans 12, Paul says to transform yourself not by trying to be like the rest of the world, but by renewing your mind, by changing the way you think.
God wants a new you who not only looks different, but who lives and thinks and speaks and acts differently. He wants a new you who has taken a 180-degree turn and is headed in a new direction, no longer pursuing an old way of life, no longer trying to conform and fit in and be like everybody else. He wants a new you who is being transformed by the renewing of your mind – a new you who is being transformed into the likeness of Christ.
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With Valentine's Day fast approaching , I have been thinking about love. What does it look like? How and who do we show it to? What does God say about love?
I'm excited about a devotional I will post next Friday about love...so check back in. But today I wanted to pose a question for you. To get the wheels in your mind turning.
When you walk into a room, the question you shouldn't be asking yourself is, "Do these people love me?" The question you should be asking yourself is,
"Do these people know that I love them?"
Remember that as you go into your church, your workplace, your home, the doctors office, the grocery store, etc. It's not always easy, to love. But love is a decision.
Whether it's a room full of strangers or a place filled with old friends, love is the greatest thing you can give them. Can show them.
Decide to love, no matter how you are feeling: it may be you're down, it may be you're up. Our feelings can't control our disposition like that. The presence we bring shouldn't be affected by our day. Because Scripture says love never fails.
Decide to show God's love, to show genuine love each day. Like I said, it will not always be easy. At times the flesh will want to be irritable and rude, but the flesh must bow down to the Spirit. And the Spirit loves. Now go love the people in your world and offer the greatest of these.
I'm excited about a devotional I will post next Friday about love...so check back in. But today I wanted to pose a question for you. To get the wheels in your mind turning.
When you walk into a room, the question you shouldn't be asking yourself is, "Do these people love me?" The question you should be asking yourself is,
"Do these people know that I love them?"
Remember that as you go into your church, your workplace, your home, the doctors office, the grocery store, etc. It's not always easy, to love. But love is a decision.
Whether it's a room full of strangers or a place filled with old friends, love is the greatest thing you can give them. Can show them.
Decide to love, no matter how you are feeling: it may be you're down, it may be you're up. Our feelings can't control our disposition like that. The presence we bring shouldn't be affected by our day. Because Scripture says love never fails.
Decide to show God's love, to show genuine love each day. Like I said, it will not always be easy. At times the flesh will want to be irritable and rude, but the flesh must bow down to the Spirit. And the Spirit loves. Now go love the people in your world and offer the greatest of these.
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love
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2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
It is a fact that no matter how many times you read the bible or certain verses you’ve already memorized, God will bring new meaning and shed new light for your situation or circumstance you stand in today. I love this scripture!
We must believe God for everything He is and says He will be in our lives. In our trials, confusion, heart ache and persecution, HE remains strong. When we can hardly stand, when we’ve wept our eyes out, when we have given up on relying on our own strength, HE is strong. Our visibility then becomes more clear and set on Him rather than our own strength and determination. When we allow Him into our lives He begins to rebuild our foundation. He always offered this indestructible foundation, He always offered this overflowing fountain of living water, He has always been and ever will be more than enough. Maybe today is the day, that we can all see more clearly. Maybe today is the day we will totally rely on Him. Maybe today we will humble ourselves before our mighty God and follow His lead. Although we may not know the whys or the hows. I guarantee you, He does and His will is beautiful!
Believe with me today! Trust with me today! No matter the call on your life, no matter the price, follow His voice, be obedient and let go of all else.
Merciful Father, as much as I have been through and will face today, I choose to believe in YOU and your strength. Teach me to let go of my strength and learn how to live through you and for you. No matter what obedience looks like in my life, help me to trust in you fully and follow your lead. I choose to make you a priority and devote myself to prayer and study. I want to be totally engulfed in you , your voice, your love, your life and direction for me. Make me a pillar of strength in you to stand up when trials and ill words enter into my day. Use my voice to make a difference for you and the lives around me Father. I choose YOU, I choose life, I choose your love, I choose your strength to carry me through, all the rest of my days. In your powerful Name, Amen!
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Ezra, as the introduction puts it in my Bible, "beneath his quiet, private, bookish exterior lay a passionate, determined soul committed to helping the people live what the Scriptures taught. God's whole story mattered to him..." I immediately paid attention because I saw maybe a bit of myself in that description; quiet, private and loving the Word of God!
Ezra was a priest sent by the Persian king to lead Israelites back to Jerusalem. I have studied Esther, which led to some study of Nehemiah, another man who helped in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. But I have failed to really learn much of Ezra...so here was my chance.
I haven't finished reading the book yet, but I have particularly found chapter 7 interesting. Verse 15 required special attention from me.
"You are also authorized to take the silver and gold that the king and his advisers are giving for the God of Israel, whose residence is in Jerusalem..."
I chewed on those words for a moment and thought about the implications of this statement. In the Old Testament, God's residence was (at this time) in the temple. Not only was His presence to be found there, but few people were able to enter the room.
But then a man came, who was fully God and fully man, to tear the veil in the temple. When Christ gave up his life as a ransom, the barrier between God and man was torn; a bridge was built for relationship. I am so thankful that today I don't have to fly all the way to Jerusalem and hope I can get into the room that God's presence is held.
The king of Persia, in Ezra 7, makes a statement that was very relevant to that time and one we are blessed not to have actualized at present. God is everywhere, at all times, with all people. We don't have to wait in long lines or bring a bull for offering or follow a list of rules. What we have today is all access to an Almighty God.
I "happened" to have read this on a Sunday morning before church. As I sat in the back of the sanctuary that morning and glanced out to see thousands of people worshipping a beautiful God, I couldn't help but think about Ezra 7.15...and to be thankful that we can have a relationship with the One who created us.
God no longer takes residence on earth in one building, but rather graciously chooses to take residence in the hearts of men. For that we cannot help but be humbled and incredibly thankful.
Ezra was a priest sent by the Persian king to lead Israelites back to Jerusalem. I have studied Esther, which led to some study of Nehemiah, another man who helped in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. But I have failed to really learn much of Ezra...so here was my chance.
I haven't finished reading the book yet, but I have particularly found chapter 7 interesting. Verse 15 required special attention from me.
"You are also authorized to take the silver and gold that the king and his advisers are giving for the God of Israel, whose residence is in Jerusalem..."
I chewed on those words for a moment and thought about the implications of this statement. In the Old Testament, God's residence was (at this time) in the temple. Not only was His presence to be found there, but few people were able to enter the room.
But then a man came, who was fully God and fully man, to tear the veil in the temple. When Christ gave up his life as a ransom, the barrier between God and man was torn; a bridge was built for relationship. I am so thankful that today I don't have to fly all the way to Jerusalem and hope I can get into the room that God's presence is held.
The king of Persia, in Ezra 7, makes a statement that was very relevant to that time and one we are blessed not to have actualized at present. God is everywhere, at all times, with all people. We don't have to wait in long lines or bring a bull for offering or follow a list of rules. What we have today is all access to an Almighty God.
I "happened" to have read this on a Sunday morning before church. As I sat in the back of the sanctuary that morning and glanced out to see thousands of people worshipping a beautiful God, I couldn't help but think about Ezra 7.15...and to be thankful that we can have a relationship with the One who created us.
God no longer takes residence on earth in one building, but rather graciously chooses to take residence in the hearts of men. For that we cannot help but be humbled and incredibly thankful.
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Last Thursday, I talked about spiritual growth. Let’s take a look today at an answer to some of the questions: Why is spiritual growth so important? Spiritual growth is vital! If we are not growing, we’re going to become stagnant, lazy Christians that will eventually start going backwards. If we are not pushing forward with a clear vision and purpose in mind-we will fall into the dangerous state of complacency. When should we be growing? We should be constantly growing and moving forward-one step at a time! (not baby steps either-steps that are purposeful- "I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step". (1 Corinthians 9:26)
Today, I would like to look at two things that growth does not look like. Growth does not look like-
Guilt and Condemnation- Let’s be real clear and transparent here. We ALL have weaknesses! We all have areas that we struggle, areas that we just wish were better than they are. We see where we are and where we want to be and we end up feeling guilty that we aren’t there yet! When I see that one of my goals is to grow in patience as a mom, the next time I struggle with impatience and raise my voice, I suddenly feel overwhelmed in guilt. The enemy will tempt us to do the things we are so trying to avoid (overeating, overspending, overindulgence, gossip, laziness,) but then he immediately hits us over the head with this guilt and condemnation! It is so heavy; no one should be walking around with it. And clearly, it is NOT from God.
Romans 8:1 says, “So, there is NO condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus”
We are going to make some mistakes. We are human. Paul cried out to God about his weaknesses in 2 Corinthians12: 8, and here is Jesus’ response, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Then Paul goes on to say in vs. 10, “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and other troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” See, Paul understood that his weakness drove him to Christ’s power and help.
So, what does this spiritual growth look like?-
Obedience and Joy- We have been forgiven and set free from our loving Savior, so we obey out of love—and our obedience brings great joy!
Jesus said, "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:9–11)
The greatest tragedy this year would be for you and me to stand at the edge of your destiny, but to be afraid to enter into all that God has planned for us. Our obedience in moving forward (one step at a time) -- to take risks and step out in faith – will release God’s power in our lives. When Paul chose obedience, God’s power helped him to grow and be full of joy.
Challenge Questions:
1. Is guilt or condemnation holding you captive in any way? If so, let God’s truths and forgiveness set you free, and move on in his freedom.
2. Has God been prompting you to step out in obedience in an area of your life? As you do, be expecting God’s power to be at work in your life!
In His love,
Stephanie
Today, I would like to look at two things that growth does not look like. Growth does not look like-
Guilt and Condemnation- Let’s be real clear and transparent here. We ALL have weaknesses! We all have areas that we struggle, areas that we just wish were better than they are. We see where we are and where we want to be and we end up feeling guilty that we aren’t there yet! When I see that one of my goals is to grow in patience as a mom, the next time I struggle with impatience and raise my voice, I suddenly feel overwhelmed in guilt. The enemy will tempt us to do the things we are so trying to avoid (overeating, overspending, overindulgence, gossip, laziness,) but then he immediately hits us over the head with this guilt and condemnation! It is so heavy; no one should be walking around with it. And clearly, it is NOT from God.
Romans 8:1 says, “So, there is NO condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus”
We are going to make some mistakes. We are human. Paul cried out to God about his weaknesses in 2 Corinthians12: 8, and here is Jesus’ response, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Then Paul goes on to say in vs. 10, “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and other troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” See, Paul understood that his weakness drove him to Christ’s power and help.
So, what does this spiritual growth look like?-
Obedience and Joy- We have been forgiven and set free from our loving Savior, so we obey out of love—and our obedience brings great joy!
Jesus said, "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:9–11)
The greatest tragedy this year would be for you and me to stand at the edge of your destiny, but to be afraid to enter into all that God has planned for us. Our obedience in moving forward (one step at a time) -- to take risks and step out in faith – will release God’s power in our lives. When Paul chose obedience, God’s power helped him to grow and be full of joy.
Challenge Questions:
1. Is guilt or condemnation holding you captive in any way? If so, let God’s truths and forgiveness set you free, and move on in his freedom.
2. Has God been prompting you to step out in obedience in an area of your life? As you do, be expecting God’s power to be at work in your life!
In His love,
Stephanie
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Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly.
How are you connected to God? How can you and do you experience His peace? How do you make an impact for the Lord? How do you learn to speak the Word boldly? How do we bear His fruit? How do we gain understanding and knowledge of God's will in our lives? The answer is His Word and Prayer! When we dive into His Word and connect ourselves with Him through communication, change inevitably happens. Experiencing God's Word that was given to us and prayer which is just for us, is overwhelming. I challege us all to make His Word and Prayer with Him as intimate as possible this year. It will truly change not only your day, but your life!
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly.
How are you connected to God? How can you and do you experience His peace? How do you make an impact for the Lord? How do you learn to speak the Word boldly? How do we bear His fruit? How do we gain understanding and knowledge of God's will in our lives? The answer is His Word and Prayer! When we dive into His Word and connect ourselves with Him through communication, change inevitably happens. Experiencing God's Word that was given to us and prayer which is just for us, is overwhelming. I challege us all to make His Word and Prayer with Him as intimate as possible this year. It will truly change not only your day, but your life!
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The first in book in the Old Testament section of The Prophets is Isaiah, a prophet who lived around 700 BC in Jerusalem. Through the reign of four kings, Isaiah was God's voice to a nation (Judah) spiraling further into sin and disobedience.
"Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water." (Isaiah 1.22 ESV)
The second half of the verse really stands out to me. You might be wondeirng what watered down wine has to do with you, right? I know, I can read your thoughts before you think it ;) Or perhaps I have wondered that too. We're all girls...we get each other, right!
Judah and the people of Israel were favored by God and had every advantage. They were a best wine. As time progressed however, their hearts began to turn toward the things of this world. In a sense, they were allowing water of the world to seep into the wine.
As a Christian, we can be full on for God. Things are going great. But if we are not careful to guard our relationship with God, water can began to seep in...clutter will build...junk will fill our hearts. If we do not protect that relationship, water will begin to mix with the wine...clutter will overwhelm...junk will leave no room for necessities.
The wine may continue to have the color and appearance of wine, but that would just be an appearance. When we allow clutter to build up, on the outside we may still have an appearance of being full on (for a while), but the truth is that we are not best wine any longer. And I believe God would desire for His children to be the best wine.
How often do we allow a little to mix in our hearts? We may think it's just the season, or a little won't hurt...the excuses could go on. But the truth is that mixing is actually a person slacking in their relationship with God and living selfishly, truth be told. I know, I've been there.
I would like to challenge you today to look within your heart. Have you allowed any water to seep in? Water seeps in through what we watch, the music we listen to, the people we hang around. If we aren't guarding what is entering, then there is an opportunity for what is not righteous to mix with what is righteous.
But there are also the other things that can seep in that may not be so noticeable: loneliness, depression, lust, greed...the list could go on. There was a time period in my life where I became discouraged. I allowed the water of discouragement to seep in and mix with what was in my heart. After a while this diluted wine began to hinder my relationship with the Lord.
Not one person can afford to allow the unrighteousness of this world to mix with the best wine God has favored. Be careful to guard the best wine.
"I...purge the junk from your life, clean you up. I'll set honest judges and wise counselors among you just like it was back in the beginning. The you'll be renamed City-That-Treats-People-Right, a True-Blue City." (Isaiah 1.25-26 MSG)
The people of Israel had turned their back to God (and it wasn't the first time). Yet God in His wonderful Grace and Love tells them that He will remove the junk and clean them up if they would turn back to Him. The mixed wine returned to purity.
What an encouragement to all of us. The Creator of the Universe says that if we will just look to Him, He will clean us up.
"Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water." (Isaiah 1.22 ESV)
The second half of the verse really stands out to me. You might be wondeirng what watered down wine has to do with you, right? I know, I can read your thoughts before you think it ;) Or perhaps I have wondered that too. We're all girls...we get each other, right!
Judah and the people of Israel were favored by God and had every advantage. They were a best wine. As time progressed however, their hearts began to turn toward the things of this world. In a sense, they were allowing water of the world to seep into the wine.
As a Christian, we can be full on for God. Things are going great. But if we are not careful to guard our relationship with God, water can began to seep in...clutter will build...junk will fill our hearts. If we do not protect that relationship, water will begin to mix with the wine...clutter will overwhelm...junk will leave no room for necessities.
The wine may continue to have the color and appearance of wine, but that would just be an appearance. When we allow clutter to build up, on the outside we may still have an appearance of being full on (for a while), but the truth is that we are not best wine any longer. And I believe God would desire for His children to be the best wine.
How often do we allow a little to mix in our hearts? We may think it's just the season, or a little won't hurt...the excuses could go on. But the truth is that mixing is actually a person slacking in their relationship with God and living selfishly, truth be told. I know, I've been there.
I would like to challenge you today to look within your heart. Have you allowed any water to seep in? Water seeps in through what we watch, the music we listen to, the people we hang around. If we aren't guarding what is entering, then there is an opportunity for what is not righteous to mix with what is righteous.
But there are also the other things that can seep in that may not be so noticeable: loneliness, depression, lust, greed...the list could go on. There was a time period in my life where I became discouraged. I allowed the water of discouragement to seep in and mix with what was in my heart. After a while this diluted wine began to hinder my relationship with the Lord.
Not one person can afford to allow the unrighteousness of this world to mix with the best wine God has favored. Be careful to guard the best wine.
"I...purge the junk from your life, clean you up. I'll set honest judges and wise counselors among you just like it was back in the beginning. The you'll be renamed City-That-Treats-People-Right, a True-Blue City." (Isaiah 1.25-26 MSG)
The people of Israel had turned their back to God (and it wasn't the first time). Yet God in His wonderful Grace and Love tells them that He will remove the junk and clean them up if they would turn back to Him. The mixed wine returned to purity.
What an encouragement to all of us. The Creator of the Universe says that if we will just look to Him, He will clean us up.
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encouragement,
righteousness
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