Transformers

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.
   Last night, the first part of this verse was discussed, not conforming to the deceitful ways of this world. Now we will discuss the second part of this verse, the transformation by renewal of the mind.
   I will use the illustration of the dog with the invisible electric fence. When the collar is first put on the dog, and they past the boundary of the invisible fence, they get a shock. Rest assured that enough of those shocks will cause the dog not to want to cross the boundary of the fence anymore. However, when you take the collar off of the dog, the MIND of the dog still thinks of that boundary, and the dog still will not cross it.
   This verse talks about transformation, or as some may say, sanctification, or the becoming like Christ. This is a process. And it happens by renewing our minds, which are so powerful. This happens through the immersion of the Word of God and a TRUE relationship with Him! There are so many treasures in this process but it only happens to those with a TRUE desire and relationship with Him!

Not Conformed

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.

   Over the next three days, we will be dissecting this three part, deeply rich verse so that we may understand it even better than we do now. This was written by the apostle Paul to the, guess who, Romans, or the church in Rome.                                                                                                                    Tonight, we will take the first part of the verse, which states, "and be not conformed to this world." Have you ever had a pack of bread that you left out a tad too long and looked the next day to find that there is mold on four pieces of bread? However, if you studied it, you would realize that the mold started with one piece of bread, but spread, and the other pieces were contaminated and conformed to the mold of that one piece.                                                                                                                                     Paul is warning us to both watch our surroundings, what we let in, and what we let out because, without guarding our hearts and saturating them in Christ, one will conform to the surroundings of the world! Watch what you let in, and what you let out, for we are NOT to conform to the ways of the world!

Everything in the House

   Have you ever went to the house that seemingly had everything? The newest televisions on the market in every room to any food that you could imagine? They had not only most privileges, but also all of the needs as well?
   Therefore, when it is time for them to eat, they have full confidence that they will get a meal when it comes that time. When it is time to take a shower, they know that they know that there will be warm water and clean clothes. Therefore, they do not live their lives in a worrying mindset, but in confidence.
   We have a God that created absolutely everything and lacks absolutely nothing! It is true, God chooses to give us things according to what we can handle, and we may not have all of the latest televisions in every room. However, we should have confidence that God will provide ALL that we need, for his resources are unlimited. We walk in confidence knowing that the Lord will sustain and provide us every day of our lives. For He has EVERYTHING in His House!

True Independance

   I truly hope that everyone had a fascinating 4th of July, or Independence Day. Since freedom and more specifically, independence, is the topic of the national holiday, I thought that would be the subject of today's post.
   First, we must understand who we are and our fleshly nature. To understand this, you must understand the fall of man. Adam, the first person on Earth, did not originally live in sin. However, in the garden of Eden, the forbidden fruit was eaten by Eve, being deceived by the serpent, and thus sin was brought into the world.
   Therefore, in our flesh, there is what is called a sin nature, a natural inclination to sin. Therefore, we were slaves to our sin. But then steps Jesus, who, by all means, in every since possible, frees us from this sin, and makes us free in Him and His Freedom! We were doers of sin, and now we are liberated in Christ! That is true Independence. Freed from sin, and alive in Christ!

Every Eye Will See

   Let us take a little adventure. Let us imagine that there is a little boy, well call him Samson. Samson did not live in the most prestigious neighborhood around by any means. In fact, he lived in the poorest part of his town.
   He lived with his parents in a small two bedroom one bath apartment. He did not wear the nicest clothes by any means either. Being 17, you would think that he drove his own car to the local High School, but instead, for lack of funds, he was forced to ride the bus all of his life.
   However, one day, he went to the SuperBowl and was blessed enough to go in the locker room with one of the teams. He gladly told his friends, but none believed him. Until, one day he brought them the ticket and the backstage pass along with pictures that he'd taken that night. See, even though his friends did not believe him, it did not change the truth!
   Even though some may not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it still does not change the Truth. However, rest assured that one day, EVERY knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord! The important part is that YOU profess and believe what you know to be the Truth, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The Stand

   Have you ever heard of the story that describes the person that just attained a new girlfriend or boyfriend, but they are ashamed to go in public with them for appearance sake? They may be a great person, but, for whatever reason, they are afraid of what others would think if they were seen together?
   Therefore, by family or in private, they are very supportive and fully claim the other, however as soon as they are questioned in some way or another about the relationship, they crumble. Or even worse, it is the case where they claim the other person, but live a life in complete dishonor to them, but that is another story.
   Now, have you heard of the story in which the one who attends church gladly claims the name of Christ in church, but when out in public, or in the quarters of their privacy, Christ is no where to be found? You see them treat others in a way that Christ Himself plainly opposed, and they act like everything but a child of God? Here is the thing: to truly STAND for something, neither nor place are credible conditions that affect your stand. STAND for Christ, in private and public! Not a stand for show or appearance, but a living stand, for the one who died for you!

Bought and Fixed

   I recently purchased a phone from a friend of mine. However, this was more of a trade than a full out purchase with money in exchange for a good. Instead, I traded an item that I previously owned for the good.
   However, the principal is still the same. A price was paid in some form or another for the good in exchange. The only thing was, I actually had to fix this phone. I had a crack in the screen that needed to be fixed. And what was easier than to fix it myself. So that is what I did.
   Did you know that God Himself paid a huge price, the death of His One and Only being nailed on a cross, so that he could have you and me, as broken and dirty as we truly are, and fix us back to how we are supposed to be, and that is the image of Christ, His Son?
   It is true. ALL that you have to do is accept the price that He paid through His Son Jesus, and accept Jesus as the Lord and Rightful Savior of your life, and serve Him and Him only! You were bought with a price!