BIBLE READING: Col: 4: 10 - 13 10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas's cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! 12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
BLOG: As a kid, I remember my mom making me my favorite jello. Green. (Hey, don't judge!) On occasion, she would pour it into a mold. Out would come these funny shapes and characters. I didn't care; they all tasted the same.
But it got me to thinking about this evening Wednesday Life Group. I am teaching from Romans 12 where in verse 2 it says. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
I couldn't tell you how many times I have preached and taught from this passage. This message reminds me, "Don't conform - transform."
Paul warns us that the world, culture, and how it reasons consistently works against God. It will try to conform you to it's will a process that we must actively resist.
But how? Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Notice what Paul didn't say. That you must act differently, turn over a new leaf, find a new cause, or deal with your "demons." No, he says that we have to start thinking like Christ.
When we think with our heart, we ask questions like, "How do you feel about... .?" If our emotions "feel good," then all is well. But if our feelings don't like what is happening, then we will rebel or run.
Some people want three secrets to a better life or 5 ways to fix your marriage. The problem is "doing" something - even the right thing - doesn't mean it will work if you're not thinking more like Jesus.
This isn't to say that God is against your feelings or actions. But the renewal of our mind can only happen when we submit to the Holy Spirits leadership and teaching in our lives. Think of it this way. He answers the all-important question that most people avoid. "Why do I want to do this?"
Real change never happens until we understand why we are doing and personally invest in making it happen.
So the question you need to be asking yourself here today is, "What does God want me to do?"
PRAY: Dear Jesus, What do you want me to do today? AMEN
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