Be Ye Transformed
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2
In verse 1 Apostle Paul makes a powerful appeal for the Roman Christian to give themselves as an offering to God. His appeal is one of great urgency. He begs the people. He pleads with the people. From the depths of his heart he speaks to the people. But the words that he speaks are not from his mouth but the heart of God. Paul is saying, "I beg you, I appeal to you by the mercies of God please do what I am about to tell you." The Apostle doesn’t make his plea by the justice of God, but rather the mercies of God. Because justice demands the administering of deserved punishment or reward. Justice demands an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Mercy says no. Mercy pardons. Mercy forgives. Justice says the wages of sin is death, mercy says while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. And because Christ Jesus died for us we should now live for Him.
We are bought with a price. We are not our own. We no longer present the members of our body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but we present ourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness to God. God wants living sacrifices. A living sacrifice is something that has its spirit in it and is of great value. A dead sacrifice is something that is worthless. It has no life. God wants us to give to Him that which has the greatest value to Him - our selves, our lives. Nothing else will do. God wants holiness. A separated life. A life consecrated, dedicated and devoted to Him. Nothing else is acceptable. Nothing else is satisfactory. Nothing else is pleasing. Nothing else is worthy. Nothing else will do.
My friend, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). God is omnipresent. He is everywhere present. So our worship should be everywhere. At the supermarket, the gas station, at home, at the job. Everywhere we go we are in the presence of God and to worship God everywhere we go is our reasonable service.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Jesus uses the miracle feeding of the 4000 as a teaching tool for His disciples.
Mark 8
Jesus uses the miracle feeding of the 4000 as a teaching tool for His disciples.
INSIGHT
After feeding the 4000, it is obvious that the disciples do not understand the significance of the event. Jesus says, "When I fed the 5000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" His disciples reply, "Twelve." Then again, "When I fed the 4000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" "Seven," they answer. "Do you not yet understand?" the Lord asks them. Then, some days later, Jesus is alone with the Twelve, and He asks them, "Who do you think I am?" Peter replies, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Finally, progress!
PRAYER
Offer your praise with the following psalm to the Lord who is faithful to us when we are weak:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night. . . .
For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands (Psalm 92:1-2, 4).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm (Joel 2:13).
As you consider the mercy of God, confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You are the door. If anyone enters by You,
he will be saved, and will go in and outand find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy. You have come that we may have life,
and that we may have it more abundantly (based on John 10:9-10).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Greater faithfulness with your finances
The President and national leaders and affairs
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17).
Jesus uses the miracle feeding of the 4000 as a teaching tool for His disciples.
INSIGHT
After feeding the 4000, it is obvious that the disciples do not understand the significance of the event. Jesus says, "When I fed the 5000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" His disciples reply, "Twelve." Then again, "When I fed the 4000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" "Seven," they answer. "Do you not yet understand?" the Lord asks them. Then, some days later, Jesus is alone with the Twelve, and He asks them, "Who do you think I am?" Peter replies, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Finally, progress!
PRAYER
Offer your praise with the following psalm to the Lord who is faithful to us when we are weak:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night. . . .
For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands (Psalm 92:1-2, 4).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm (Joel 2:13).
As you consider the mercy of God, confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You are the door. If anyone enters by You,
he will be saved, and will go in and outand find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy. You have come that we may have life,
and that we may have it more abundantly (based on John 10:9-10).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Greater faithfulness with your finances
The President and national leaders and affairs
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17).
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Acquiring Wisdom
Acquiring Wisdom
Proverb 4:20-27
The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God’s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.
We’re all able to recall times when we didn’t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities—either we didn’t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we’ are familiar with God’s standards and the importance of following them, we’ve got to dig into His Word.
For example, suppose that you walk into the office and a coworker verbally assaults you with undeserved blame for a costly mistake. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. But Luke 6:27-29 offers a different approach, that might go something like this: “Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel” (spoken gently).
Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).
Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life—absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren’t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.
Proverb 4:20-27
The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God’s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.
We’re all able to recall times when we didn’t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities—either we didn’t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we’ are familiar with God’s standards and the importance of following them, we’ve got to dig into His Word.
For example, suppose that you walk into the office and a coworker verbally assaults you with undeserved blame for a costly mistake. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. But Luke 6:27-29 offers a different approach, that might go something like this: “Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel” (spoken gently).
Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).
Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life—absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren’t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.
Acquiring Wisdom
Acquiring Wisdom
Proverb 4:20-27
The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God’s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.
We’re all able to recall times when we didn’t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities—either we didn’t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we’ are familiar with God’s standards and the importance of following them, we’ve got to dig into His Word.
For example, suppose that you walk into the office and a coworker verbally assaults you with undeserved blame for a costly mistake. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. But Luke 6:27-29 offers a different approach, that might go something like this: “Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel” (spoken gently).
Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).
Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life—absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren’t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.
Proverb 4:20-27
The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God’s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.
We’re all able to recall times when we didn’t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities—either we didn’t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we’ are familiar with God’s standards and the importance of following them, we’ve got to dig into His Word.
For example, suppose that you walk into the office and a coworker verbally assaults you with undeserved blame for a costly mistake. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. But Luke 6:27-29 offers a different approach, that might go something like this: “Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel” (spoken gently).
Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).
Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life—absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren’t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.
Jesus points out the hypocrisy of observing traditions yet ignoring the Scripture.
Mark 7
Jesus points out the hypocrisy of observing traditions yet ignoring the Scripture.
INSIGHT
Even the earnest Christian must guard against hypocrisy. How easy it is to sing, "All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give," and then go out to live with some areas of our lives not given over to Christ. Yet, there is a difference between weakness and rebellion. All of us struggle with weaknesses which we wish we didn't have and with which we wrestle in the grace of God to overcome. Rebellion expresses itself when we could overcome a sin if we wanted to but make no attempt to do so. The Bible expresses compassion for us in our weaknesses as we cry out to the Lord for greater strength. But God's Word pronounces a scathing rebuke for hypocrisy and rebellion. We must check our hearts to be certain that our shortcomings are weaknesses and not hypocrisy.
PRAYER
Because the Lord accepts us in spite of our weaknesses, we can praise Him:
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness,
of Yours only (Psalm 71:14-16).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight (Hosea 6:1-2).
As you confess your sins, pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go;
You will guide me with Your eye (based on Psalm 32:8).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Greater love for your family
Evangelism in America
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another,
according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify You,
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).
Jesus points out the hypocrisy of observing traditions yet ignoring the Scripture.
INSIGHT
Even the earnest Christian must guard against hypocrisy. How easy it is to sing, "All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give," and then go out to live with some areas of our lives not given over to Christ. Yet, there is a difference between weakness and rebellion. All of us struggle with weaknesses which we wish we didn't have and with which we wrestle in the grace of God to overcome. Rebellion expresses itself when we could overcome a sin if we wanted to but make no attempt to do so. The Bible expresses compassion for us in our weaknesses as we cry out to the Lord for greater strength. But God's Word pronounces a scathing rebuke for hypocrisy and rebellion. We must check our hearts to be certain that our shortcomings are weaknesses and not hypocrisy.
PRAYER
Because the Lord accepts us in spite of our weaknesses, we can praise Him:
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness,
of Yours only (Psalm 71:14-16).
As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight (Hosea 6:1-2).
As you confess your sins, pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go;
You will guide me with Your eye (based on Psalm 32:8).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Greater love for your family
Evangelism in America
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another,
according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify You,
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).
Pursuing Wisdom
Pursuing Wisdom
Proverb 4:5-10
We live in the “Information Age,” where news pops up on cell phones and college can be attended online. But I’ve noticed that while there is a lot of knowledge floating around, there isn’t much wisdom. Godly wisdom is the capacity to see things from the Lord’s viewpoint and respond according to scriptural principles. You can’t instantly download that ability, but you can acquire it gradually over time.
In God’s opinion, the most valuable treasure to be had is wisdom (Prov. 8:11). Believers need His perspective and His principles to live the Christian life—that’s why acquiring wisdom is not a suggestion but a command (4:5).
Think back to stories about “Gold Fever” during the 19th-century gold rush. People risked their lives in a single-minded quest for riches. Wisdom is worth so much more than a vein of precious metal. In comparing the two, the Lord calls us to passionately pursue godly knowledge and discernment.
Proverbs 8:17 personifies wisdom, who says, “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me.” God will see to it that believers who pursue wisdom acquire it. Moreover, when the desire of our heart is something with lasting value, we receive a bonus—knowledge, prudence, and discretion (Prov. 8:12).
The wisest man of the Bible, King Solomon, wrote that the beginning of wisdom was to acquire it (Prov. 4:7). Determine in your heart to pursue this great treasure. As you study the Word, seek the Lord’s will, and observe His principles in action, God will pour wisdom into your mind and spirit.
Proverb 4:5-10
We live in the “Information Age,” where news pops up on cell phones and college can be attended online. But I’ve noticed that while there is a lot of knowledge floating around, there isn’t much wisdom. Godly wisdom is the capacity to see things from the Lord’s viewpoint and respond according to scriptural principles. You can’t instantly download that ability, but you can acquire it gradually over time.
In God’s opinion, the most valuable treasure to be had is wisdom (Prov. 8:11). Believers need His perspective and His principles to live the Christian life—that’s why acquiring wisdom is not a suggestion but a command (4:5).
Think back to stories about “Gold Fever” during the 19th-century gold rush. People risked their lives in a single-minded quest for riches. Wisdom is worth so much more than a vein of precious metal. In comparing the two, the Lord calls us to passionately pursue godly knowledge and discernment.
Proverbs 8:17 personifies wisdom, who says, “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me.” God will see to it that believers who pursue wisdom acquire it. Moreover, when the desire of our heart is something with lasting value, we receive a bonus—knowledge, prudence, and discretion (Prov. 8:12).
The wisest man of the Bible, King Solomon, wrote that the beginning of wisdom was to acquire it (Prov. 4:7). Determine in your heart to pursue this great treasure. As you study the Word, seek the Lord’s will, and observe His principles in action, God will pour wisdom into your mind and spirit.
Jesus performs two astounding miracles in His hometown of Nazareth.
Mark 6
Jesus performs two astounding miracles in His hometown of Nazareth.
INSIGHT
Jesus' miracles are often more than acts of kindness; they are also profound object lessons given to train His contemporary and future followers. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus again sends the Twelve out onto the Sea of Galilee, knowing a storm will come. Then He walks out on the water to reveal to them more deeply the reality of who He is. By their reaction, the disciples show that their idea of Christ is too small. He is more-much more-than they think He is.
PRAYER
Praise the Lord for the greatness of His character:
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come! . . .
You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:8, 11).
As you seek to keep your life free from the sin that so easily entangles, pray this confession to the Lord:
I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And Your law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments (Psalm 119:174-176).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands,
which are copies of the true,
but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God for us;
not that He should offer Himself often,
as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another -
He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world;
but now, once at the end of the ages,
He has appeared to put away sin
by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:24-26).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Greater understanding of God's character through His Word
Contentment with His will
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer:
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies
washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
Jesus performs two astounding miracles in His hometown of Nazareth.
INSIGHT
Jesus' miracles are often more than acts of kindness; they are also profound object lessons given to train His contemporary and future followers. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus again sends the Twelve out onto the Sea of Galilee, knowing a storm will come. Then He walks out on the water to reveal to them more deeply the reality of who He is. By their reaction, the disciples show that their idea of Christ is too small. He is more-much more-than they think He is.
PRAYER
Praise the Lord for the greatness of His character:
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come! . . .
You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:8, 11).
As you seek to keep your life free from the sin that so easily entangles, pray this confession to the Lord:
I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And Your law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments (Psalm 119:174-176).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands,
which are copies of the true,
but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God for us;
not that He should offer Himself often,
as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another -
He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world;
but now, once at the end of the ages,
He has appeared to put away sin
by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:24-26).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Greater understanding of God's character through His Word
Contentment with His will
Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer:
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies
washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
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