Tag: christianity

Romans 12:2

“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.” KJV

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.” The Living Bible

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” The Message

Some of you have asked why I show different versions of the same verse.  The Simple answer is that each of us hear and think differently.  In your mind you hear these words and because of your core beliefs you hear them differently than others do. Each of us needs the verse read to us in a manner that our minds will accept and start the transformation.

You have heard the saying “called to be in the world, not of the world”. Those words are a paraphrase form of the word of Jesus when He was praying to His Father in John 17:14-16.

Jesus was saying that anyone who has been accepted the word, (transformed) is no longer of this world, He asks the father to protect them from the evil one, but He asks the father to keep the believers in this world. 

The answer why He wants you in this world is in verse 2 of Romans 12.  He wants you to prove to the world that His way, His word, His will are perfect for you in every situation. Then, therefore perfect for them if they would allow the Holy Spirit to transform them.

The Transformation of your heart, mind, habits, personalities, desires and way of Living is not for your benefit. It is for you to be a perfect reflection of God so that others may see how God has changed you, and therefore desire to be changed also.

The Verse ends with “perfect, will of God”.  The only way you can come to understand and accept that God’s will is Perfect in every situation, every circumstance and always the best path for you, is to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8

Today, stop quenching the Holy Spirts transformation of your heart and mind.  You are being directed to a better place, a better way of Living, and a better future. He is building a room for you in His house. The construction starts in your heart.

Prayers for All.

Larry

Romans 12:21

“Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered with evil. Take the offensive—overpower evil by good!” J.B. Phillips Translation

“Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.” KJV

This is the last verse in the chapter in Romans that describes the traits of a transformed individual. A Person who has given up control and let the Holy Spirit take control and transform them into a reflection of Christ.

In the Book of Matthew chapter 5 verses 13-16, it tells us that we are to be the Salt and the Light of the World. The purpose of having these two traits is to bring Glory to God in Heaven.

What does Salt and Light have to do with this verse in Romans? It describes the exact same thing.  Salt is not overcome by other flavors in food. It only brings out the best qualities of the other flavors.  Light cannot be overcome by darkness. Darkness never overwhelms light. You must shut the light off to see darkness. The minute the sun shows up the darkness of the night vanishes. The Second the Son of God shows up Evil vanishes. 

You do not need to fear being overcome with evil if you are being the Salt and Light of the World. The Word does warn you that you can lose the saltiness and light by not letting the Holy Spirt live within you.

Refusing to let the transformation into every aspect of your life will eventually let the darkness return and take more control of you.

Remember the parable about the person that cleaned all the rooms of the house. He swept and mopped them clean.  The rooms Sparkled. He was living a good life, going to church every Sabbath, doing the right things.  Yet we are told that when the evil spirit checked in on him if found the rooms empty and then the evil spirit went and found more, and mightier evil spirits and they all moved in. The person did not fill the rooms (his heart) with the Holy Spirit and thus was overcome by evil.

The benefits that comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you is not to bring you praise, but to bring others to praise God by seeing what you have allowed the Holy Spirit to do in your life.

Prayers for all.

Larry

Romans 12:16

“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t become snobbish but take a real interest in ordinary people. Don’t become set in your own opinions.” J.B. Phillips Translation

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. AKJV Version

“Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.” The Message

Live in Harmony, Be of the same mind. These instructions from Paul do not mean that we are all to think alike, have the same opinions, uniformity of thought.  But what is greatly missing in today’s world is respect, empathy for another person’s opinion and thoughts on any matter.  A transformed Christian is not to argue with, be negative about, talk about or gossip about, or not associate with someone that believes different than you. We need to Listen to the other opinion with respect in our body language, tone of voice and with Love.

The next part speaks directly to those of us who think we are special.  We have been given a special message, we are more intelligent, and God has blessed us with more knowledge. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. We are to be very humble and always consider friendship with anyone of any race, social standing, economic standing and sexual persuasion. Each person is special to God; we hold no special place in God’s heart that is ahead of anyone else.

The next part is a warning against thinking we have all the knowledge and are again special. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3. NIV.  This verse speaks directly to all of us.  God still has things to reveal to each of us, no matter our standing in life. You are never going to stop learning for eternity.

If we allowed ourselves to be transformed into this type of person, it would be the start of a whole new world of peace.

Take time today to revisit Romans 12:3-8, 

You are called to live in this world and yet be not of this world.  Be Salt or a Light today to everyone God sends your way.

Prayers for All

Larry

Heart Transformation

Circumcision of the heart

“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self-ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ”. Colossians 2:11 NIV

“Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer”.  Deuteronomy 10:16 NIV

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done—burn with no one to quench it”. Jeremiah 4:4 NIV

Spiritual circumcision, a concept found in both the Old and New Testaments, refers to a transformation of the heart, a spiritual cutting away of the sinful nature and reliance on the flesh, and a turning towards God through faith in Christ.

Circumcision symbolizes the removal of the hardheartedness and stubbornness that hinders one’s relationship with God. It is a spiritual journey that involves removing worldly desires, dedicating oneself to God, and humbling oneself before Him. It is a process of transformation that leads to a closer relationship with God and a life that reflects His values.

“The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live”. Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV

The verse speaks of a spiritual renewal, a turning of the heart toward God, rather than a physical act. This Verse speaks of a transformation of the heart.  It no longer has the desires of this world.  It no longer tries to reach heaven with works. Not only is this promise for you but for your children and grandchildren.  The purpose of this transformation is so that your whole existence will be to Love God and bring Him Glory and Honor. You whole heart, your whole soul will live every day to bring about Glory to God.

Behold, He is standing at the door of your heart knocking.  You cannot change your heart, habits or desires.  The Only thing you can do is answer the doorbell and open your heart to Him.  He is not bringing in any rules. He is just bringing in Love.

Prayers for each of you every morning.

Larry