Be Transformed By Renewal Of Our Hearts And Minds

Romans 12 KJV

For The Good Of The Whole Body

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.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.                                                                    

                                                                               (Rom 12:2-5 KJV)

The world would tell us that it is all about us as individuals. It is about taking care of our own needs and wants first. It is not and yet it is. Life is about each of us as individuals using the gifts that God has given us to serve and glorify God and to serve one another that we might live in unity peaceably. 

It is not about each individual getting what they want in the way that they want it. It is about each of us giving of the gifts that we have been given. Whether we like to admit it or not we do depend on each other. We cannot live without the help of others. We cannot grow or thrive in a vacuum. Families and communities need to be there for each other and to support one another. 

In a very real sense it is also about us as individuals. The individual will use the gifts that they have been given for the good of the whole body in Christ.  

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Water And The Word

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

                                                                               (Isa 55:9-11 KJV)

Finally, a good storm! This spring has seen very little rain. The pond in my yard is looking pretty low. The little minnows have not had much chance to grow in such little space. The trees also have been looking pretty thirsty. Way too many of the Palm trees' fronds have turned brown. But; finally, we have a good rain!

Even as the waters come down encouraging growth and life so does the word that comes from the Lord. Listen to Him and grow in your life, living each day more fully in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God's Will; Not Ours

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Rom 12:1-2 NIV

Those things that may please man do not necessarily please God. Often when we as human beings made decisions or even offer an opinion we do with our personal best interests in mind. But, God who is merciful and just considers a bigger a picture; a picture so big that we cannot fathom it.

In order to even begin to grasp God's will there must be, by the power of the Spirit of Christ, be a transforming of our minds. Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be better able to have a better sense of how we are to glorify God.

A general rule of thumb that I have used when making decisions is this:  Will it glorify God or is the purpose to glorify me? When making decisions for the church the rule is this: Will it glorify God or is it meant to satisfy and glorify the church on earth? You see, we will usually pick what is most comfortable for us. Without the transformation of our hearts and minds, we will most often decide to take short cuts. There were no short-cuts for Jesus on the road to Golgotha and it was not a comfortable and easy journey. But, what Jesus did, he did for the sake of many because it was his Father's good and perfect will.

Only those who have had a genuine renewing of the heart and mind, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are able to begin to discern our Father's good and perfect will, for without the transformation that is brought about by the Holy Spirit we will always decide for ourselves. Without the Spirit of Christ to lead us on our journey's, we will most often take what appears to be the easy road.

May God empower us through the Holy Spirit to know and do His good, pleasing and perfect will for His glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J