This is the official last week for the women's bible study "Gideon" by P. Shirer. But I don't believe it will be my last week. I have too many unanswered blanks that still need my attention. Priscilla with the power of the Holy Spirit has gotten into my business. That business of God and me and me and God - where am I in that relationship? God hasn't changed - the question is am I willing to change? Am I willing to look hard into my heart and check out what is inside and allow the Holy Spirit to come in and clean house. I need to decide: do I want to go deeper with God? I can study the bible till I have every verse memorized but if I'm unwilling to be changed by those verses it is all for naught.
These 3 points are straight from the workbook pages 162-163:
1. Pinpoint your tendencies. Ask the Lord to clearly show you where you normally turn for comfort, acceptance, approbation, and connection during good and bad times in your life.
"Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart." Psalm 26:2 (NLT)
2. Restructure your allegiances. Recommit to a God-centered existence in which you consistently acknowledge and see God before turning to other things or people for approval or acceptance.
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." Luke 12:31 (NLT)
3. Rearrange your priorities. Refuse to indulge improper passions. Restructure your life to exclude the idols that have become your go-to activities or relationships. Cement boundaries in place and enlist accountability to keep you on track.
"So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective." Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG)
These points should make you squirm in your seat that would be the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I can relate only too well with Priscilla when she says "I knew that opening myself up to their (idols) removal would require an uncomfortable transformation I didn't want to deal with right then. So I just didn't."
So what am I going to do about it? I'm going to write these 3 verses down on index cards and I'm going to start praying them back to God. Asking him to lead me on this journey of change - will you join me?
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Mercy & Grace - am I living it?!
Pastor Mike's sermon hit home for me today. Mercy & Grace / Grace & Mercy - aren't they the same thing - those wonderful blessings from God that we can't live without? I liked how Pastor put it - Grace is the pardoning & forgiving - Mercy is the doing part - Webster says: "compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power."
We aren't just suppose to accept God's amazing free gifts of grace & mercy - but we are suppose to give them back out to the people we meet everyday. I find myself being a fake grace & mercy giver - that's right I know what God's word says - so I might say all the right words but I am the judge and jury in my mind. How is it possible for women to say one thing and be thinking another at the same time? You know exactly what I'm talking about: We have a friend who has asked for our advice on a matter - we freely give our advice - except said friend doesn't listen and is now in a pickle. This friend is now in need of comfort or more - I will comfort and say all the right words while thinking if you had just done what I told you to do none of this would have happened. I believe this is FAKE MERCY. I'm using an easy example - what about the tough ones? The one's where we don't even want to fake it - we have decided they don't deserve it?
What are we suppose to do? How are we suppose to act? How do we live out this grace & mercy gig with God everyday? Well I think most important we need to go back (yes I need to finish) to our Holy Habits. If we aren't filled up on Jesus through personal relationship (prayer, bible reading, worship, etc) then we haven't got a chance to be pure in heart, merciful, or peacemakers. My day is different, because I'm different, when I start my day with the Lord - quality time getting filled up. The fruits of the spirit come easier - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the days I can live out grace & mercy with God by my side. I'm also going to incorporate this into my prayer life. For example: Dear Lord - don't let me miss the opportunity to share your grace and mercy with others. Help me recognize those moments and have the courage to serve.
I don't want to be a fake, I want to be pure in heart, merciful and a peacemaker. What about you?
We aren't just suppose to accept God's amazing free gifts of grace & mercy - but we are suppose to give them back out to the people we meet everyday. I find myself being a fake grace & mercy giver - that's right I know what God's word says - so I might say all the right words but I am the judge and jury in my mind. How is it possible for women to say one thing and be thinking another at the same time? You know exactly what I'm talking about: We have a friend who has asked for our advice on a matter - we freely give our advice - except said friend doesn't listen and is now in a pickle. This friend is now in need of comfort or more - I will comfort and say all the right words while thinking if you had just done what I told you to do none of this would have happened. I believe this is FAKE MERCY. I'm using an easy example - what about the tough ones? The one's where we don't even want to fake it - we have decided they don't deserve it?
What are we suppose to do? How are we suppose to act? How do we live out this grace & mercy gig with God everyday? Well I think most important we need to go back (yes I need to finish) to our Holy Habits. If we aren't filled up on Jesus through personal relationship (prayer, bible reading, worship, etc) then we haven't got a chance to be pure in heart, merciful, or peacemakers. My day is different, because I'm different, when I start my day with the Lord - quality time getting filled up. The fruits of the spirit come easier - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the days I can live out grace & mercy with God by my side. I'm also going to incorporate this into my prayer life. For example: Dear Lord - don't let me miss the opportunity to share your grace and mercy with others. Help me recognize those moments and have the courage to serve.
I don't want to be a fake, I want to be pure in heart, merciful and a peacemaker. What about you?
Thursday, April 4, 2013
New Easter Meassage
I was coming home from church after a wonderful Easter service. Somehow I ended up in the car by myself. The Stewart's needed to take three cars to church when parking is limited. With no one to talk too I turned on the radio; it was on way fm and I just didn't feel like listening to contemporary music. I wanted my traditional Easter hymns Christ the Lord is Risen Today....No such luck couldn't find one but I found a preacher speaking and he was reading the traditional Easter story from Mark 16 starting at the first verse...
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the.....
I didn't hear another word, my brain starting going into overdrive. I've never heard that verse like that before - I've always concentrated on the story that Christ is alive - Hallelujah. I've never thought so much about the women - the devoted, loving, women meaning to do good - a proper burial. UNNECESSARY WORRY is what jumped out of my car speaker. What do you think they said to each other? I can only imagine what I would have been saying if Chris, Allison and I were on our way to the tomb that morning. It would have gone something like this:
There is no way the three of us can move that stone. What are we going to do? Forget those scaredy-cat disciples, they aren't coming out of that upper room to help us. What about the guards? Maybe if we plead and beg with lots of tears they will roll away the stone. Well let's go try and if we can't get in we will just go home.
God moved the stone. It was His job all along - why do we unnecessarily worry about God's part of our situations? He allows events to occur beyond our control to show us He is able and willing TO DO if we will let Him. He is ready to help us, He is powerful and mighty, He cares about us, He hears our cries, He just asks one thing - believe.
When situations out of my control occur (of course those are very few since I think I can control everything), I tend to allow my mind to explore every possible scenario and out come. I will even rehearse conversations if the situation involves other people so I will be totally prepared. Don't get me wrong - I will pray and pray and pray about the thing - but I'm working on a backup plan if God doesn't deliver in a manner that I think is valid. I don't want to set my sites too high, I don't want to be disappointed - I never want to say God you let me down. Isn't that just crazy thinking?! God can do anything and everything and sometimes I fail to trust and believe Him.
Isn't it amazing how God can speak to us - Thank You Lord - for a new memorable lesson on Easter. May I be changed to trust and believe in you and stop worrying about your job!!!!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Idols are Among Us
The Friday morning bible study group has just started a new study, Kelly Minter's "No Other Gods." I guess you can tell by the title this is all about idols. You maybe thinking - I don't have any golden calves, or asherah poles set-up in the house and I don't bow down to anything - so I don't have an idol problem.
1 Corinthians 10:31 says "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Test it...Am I doing this for God's glory, or for my own glory, pride, comfort, happiness, or other selfish motive?
Are you like me, are you saying UH-OH. So if I'm doing it for myself does that mean I've made myself an idol? Let's re-look at the definition of idol. According to Ken Sande: ."In biblical terms, an idol is something other than God that we set our heart on, that motivates us, that masters and rules us, or that we trust, fear, or serve. An idol can also be referred to as a false god or a functional god." (The Peacemaker, Revised and Updated (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2006), pg. 104).
So now the real question is where is your heart? Matthew 6:21 says "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So where is your treasure? What drives you?
More food for thought - check these scriptures about what we treasure or idolize:
This study really got to me in the first introduction to week one/day one. Kelly Minter writes " For so much of my life I worshiped God: singing hymns, reading my Bible, confessing my belief in Him. Yet, if you could have witnessed what controlled me, you would see that in many cases it was my idols. Not carved images, but people, career paths, materialism, acceptance, and more. God (on some level) was getting my worship, but my gods were getting my service."
Well I have only finished week one and have given you just a few high points. If you are interested in doing this study - maybe you can't make it on Friday mornings - you can do it on your own. Call me or drop me an email and I will make every effort to make myself available on Sunday nights during the children's choir to discuss it with you. Who knows maybe we have enough interest to have a small group.
Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging - this week was identify our idols - I'll let you know how next week goes.
I'm going to be praying - Lord I want to treasure you - change my heart!!
1 Corinthians 10:31 says "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Test it...Am I doing this for God's glory, or for my own glory, pride, comfort, happiness, or other selfish motive?
Are you like me, are you saying UH-OH. So if I'm doing it for myself does that mean I've made myself an idol? Let's re-look at the definition of idol. According to Ken Sande: ."In biblical terms, an idol is something other than God that we set our heart on, that motivates us, that masters and rules us, or that we trust, fear, or serve. An idol can also be referred to as a false god or a functional god." (The Peacemaker, Revised and Updated (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2006), pg. 104).
So now the real question is where is your heart? Matthew 6:21 says "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So where is your treasure? What drives you?
- Job, being successful, wealth
- Beauty, staying youthful, clothes, working out being fit
- Materialism - house, car, electronics
- What do others think about me?
- Sports
- Enterainment - movies, tv, "AMERICAN IDOL"
- Family, children
More food for thought - check these scriptures about what we treasure or idolize:
- All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Isaiah 44:9
- They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.” 2 Kings 17:15
This study really got to me in the first introduction to week one/day one. Kelly Minter writes " For so much of my life I worshiped God: singing hymns, reading my Bible, confessing my belief in Him. Yet, if you could have witnessed what controlled me, you would see that in many cases it was my idols. Not carved images, but people, career paths, materialism, acceptance, and more. God (on some level) was getting my worship, but my gods were getting my service."
Well I have only finished week one and have given you just a few high points. If you are interested in doing this study - maybe you can't make it on Friday mornings - you can do it on your own. Call me or drop me an email and I will make every effort to make myself available on Sunday nights during the children's choir to discuss it with you. Who knows maybe we have enough interest to have a small group.
Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging - this week was identify our idols - I'll let you know how next week goes.
I'm going to be praying - Lord I want to treasure you - change my heart!!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Adult Enrichment Studies
Hi everyone,
We had a great session last Sunday on Love. I lead a small group on what does Deuteronomy 6:5 look like in our everyday lives. Since we had such a small group Jack and Alice just joined in as participants in my study. I know we had many people attend the Discovery Meeting so I'm hopeful we will have more people this Sunday night. Come on out at 5 PM to join us for 30 to 45 minutes - Jack and Alice have prepared some great material. Jack will talk about how he has handled disappointments in his life. When things haven't gone as planned - and how God has helped him through those tough times. Alice will be talking about raising kids and their activities. One of her guides has been the book: "It's your Kid, Not a Gerbil, " by Dr. Kevin Leman. It will be lighthearted but with the emphasis on building strong character and a love for home and family.
We will meet in the CLC main area at 5:00 and disperse from there.
What you missed on my study...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deut. 6:5
This scripture is so essential to God’s chosen people that they write it on a scroll (along with another scripture) and place it on their doorways called a Mezuzah. Also during morning prayers the Jewish male uses the Tefillin – again this scripture and 3 others on scrolls in a small box attached to their head & arm – to feel the spiritual bond with God. This same scripture is mentioned 3 times in the new testament: Jesus answer’s the question - What is the greatest commandment with this verse in Matthew & Mark but adds “Love your neighbor as yourself” to the end. Then again in Luke he uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to give meaning to this verse.
What does it mean?
LOVE GOD – ok I get that I’m suppose to love God – the most. With all your heart & soul… we tend to understand this – our emotions and the essence of who we are – why we respond the way we do – our being.
With all your strength…the King James says might instead of strength and Strong’s Concordance gives this definition:
1) exceedingly, much
2) might, force, abundance
3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly a) force, might b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
I love the muchness definition - the quality or state of being great in quantity, extent, or degree. So what does it look like to love God with all of our muchness?
In our homes:
I thought about disciplining our children - As we love our children with our heart & soul, we want to believe them and show mercy when they misbehave. Does this sound familiar?
I’m sorry, I won’t do it again, I love you so much mommy…
When we love our children with our muchness We train or punish our children because we know it will make them a better person with the goal to become obedient to God. We know if they can't be obedient to us who they can touch, see, and hear how are they going to be obedient to God? Our response now when the muchness kicks in...
This hurts me more than it hurts you, their disappointment & tears tear at your heart, they become angry towards you
How about being a family - when we love God with all that we are and start putting that muchness into action – we want to start obeying God: Pray together, eat together, go to church together, talk about Sunday school and church, over look our spouses annoyances, become selfless, we seek God’s will in our decision making, etc.
In our church & our communities & our homes:
My belief is that our strength, might, muchness is what drives us to obedience. It takes strength to be:
If all your ministry and service is self-serving it is time for a muchness love check
We had a great session last Sunday on Love. I lead a small group on what does Deuteronomy 6:5 look like in our everyday lives. Since we had such a small group Jack and Alice just joined in as participants in my study. I know we had many people attend the Discovery Meeting so I'm hopeful we will have more people this Sunday night. Come on out at 5 PM to join us for 30 to 45 minutes - Jack and Alice have prepared some great material. Jack will talk about how he has handled disappointments in his life. When things haven't gone as planned - and how God has helped him through those tough times. Alice will be talking about raising kids and their activities. One of her guides has been the book: "It's your Kid, Not a Gerbil, " by Dr. Kevin Leman. It will be lighthearted but with the emphasis on building strong character and a love for home and family.
We will meet in the CLC main area at 5:00 and disperse from there.
What you missed on my study...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deut. 6:5
This scripture is so essential to God’s chosen people that they write it on a scroll (along with another scripture) and place it on their doorways called a Mezuzah. Also during morning prayers the Jewish male uses the Tefillin – again this scripture and 3 others on scrolls in a small box attached to their head & arm – to feel the spiritual bond with God. This same scripture is mentioned 3 times in the new testament: Jesus answer’s the question - What is the greatest commandment with this verse in Matthew & Mark but adds “Love your neighbor as yourself” to the end. Then again in Luke he uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to give meaning to this verse.
What does it mean?
LOVE GOD – ok I get that I’m suppose to love God – the most. With all your heart & soul… we tend to understand this – our emotions and the essence of who we are – why we respond the way we do – our being.
With all your strength…the King James says might instead of strength and Strong’s Concordance gives this definition:
1) exceedingly, much
2) might, force, abundance
3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly a) force, might b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
I love the muchness definition - the quality or state of being great in quantity, extent, or degree. So what does it look like to love God with all of our muchness?
In our homes:
I thought about disciplining our children - As we love our children with our heart & soul, we want to believe them and show mercy when they misbehave. Does this sound familiar?
I’m sorry, I won’t do it again, I love you so much mommy…
When we love our children with our muchness We train or punish our children because we know it will make them a better person with the goal to become obedient to God. We know if they can't be obedient to us who they can touch, see, and hear how are they going to be obedient to God? Our response now when the muchness kicks in...
This hurts me more than it hurts you, their disappointment & tears tear at your heart, they become angry towards you
How about being a family - when we love God with all that we are and start putting that muchness into action – we want to start obeying God: Pray together, eat together, go to church together, talk about Sunday school and church, over look our spouses annoyances, become selfless, we seek God’s will in our decision making, etc.
In our church & our communities & our homes:
- We tame our tongue: With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10 NIV
- Become a good listener: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 NIV
- Don’t show favoritism: You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: “Love others as you love yourself.” But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can’t pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God’s law and ignoring others. The same God who said, “Don’t commit adultery,” also said, “Don’t murder.” If you don’t commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you’re a murderer, period. James 2:8-11 The Message
- Submit to God: You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” James 4: 4-6 The Message
- Put your Faith into Action: Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? James 2: 14-17 The Message
- Pray: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV
Take your LOVE to the next level:
- Selfless
- Humble
- Kind to the unkind
- Act out our faith (deeds) when we don’t feel like it
- Seek God first
- Love our neighbor as we love ourselves
If all your ministry and service is self-serving it is time for a muchness love check
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
New Year... New Church... New You
New Years resolutions have you already forgotten yours or given up on it? I saw in an article that the top three were loose weight; spend less; use time wisely. How about our church - does the church have new year's resolutions? I think the top one should be PRAY MORE. Are we a praying church? How much time do you spend praying and of that time how much for our church?
With the new year comes new members on committees - they need pray. With Carla leaving the children's ministry - they need prayer. The Youth are preparing for Discovery or Revolution weekend - they need prayer. Our staff is trying to determine how to feed the sheep (new survey is out for your input) - they need prayer. We have shut ins - they need prayer. We have single parents - they need prayer. We have family's - they need prayer. WE ALL NEED PRAYER.
I know for me I want to be self sufficient - provide for myself, for my family, resolve conflicts, fix my kids problems, you get the idea. This year I'm going to try and rely on God first - talk to Him about things first. Larry spoke about this in his sermon on Sunday. It isn't all about me - when am I going to decide to obey God and accept all he has for me. Hey I'm ready to accept God's blessing anytime all the time, just not ready to obey. I want things to go the way I think things should go (when I want them), however I have come to realize my thoughts are not God's thoughts and my ways are not God's way....and this is the big one...His ways are better!!
The junior high and I are working this prayer thing - we have prayer journals and are trying to be more dedicated to spending time with God. Specifically we are learning to pray God's word back to Him. When we are in God's will (obey part here), and we ask according to His will then His ways will start taking form in our lives. I believe the rewards will be the fruits of the spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness Faithfulness, and Self-Control. (Gal 5:22-23) Then look out when the Spirit of Lord is flowing through you anything can be accomplished.
I'm asking for this new year - that we as members of God's church - we pray 2 scriptures everyday for our church and it's leadership.
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV): 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Romans 12: 1-2 (NIV): 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. 2 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.
I've included the NIV here but hey - you like another version use that - I really like The Message too - so much so I'll include them here:
Philippians 1:9-11 (The Message):
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Romans 12:1-2 (The Message):
1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 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.
I love the Body of Christ - that's you!! Cynthia
With the new year comes new members on committees - they need pray. With Carla leaving the children's ministry - they need prayer. The Youth are preparing for Discovery or Revolution weekend - they need prayer. Our staff is trying to determine how to feed the sheep (new survey is out for your input) - they need prayer. We have shut ins - they need prayer. We have single parents - they need prayer. We have family's - they need prayer. WE ALL NEED PRAYER.
I know for me I want to be self sufficient - provide for myself, for my family, resolve conflicts, fix my kids problems, you get the idea. This year I'm going to try and rely on God first - talk to Him about things first. Larry spoke about this in his sermon on Sunday. It isn't all about me - when am I going to decide to obey God and accept all he has for me. Hey I'm ready to accept God's blessing anytime all the time, just not ready to obey. I want things to go the way I think things should go (when I want them), however I have come to realize my thoughts are not God's thoughts and my ways are not God's way....and this is the big one...His ways are better!!
The junior high and I are working this prayer thing - we have prayer journals and are trying to be more dedicated to spending time with God. Specifically we are learning to pray God's word back to Him. When we are in God's will (obey part here), and we ask according to His will then His ways will start taking form in our lives. I believe the rewards will be the fruits of the spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness Faithfulness, and Self-Control. (Gal 5:22-23) Then look out when the Spirit of Lord is flowing through you anything can be accomplished.
I'm asking for this new year - that we as members of God's church - we pray 2 scriptures everyday for our church and it's leadership.
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV): 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Romans 12: 1-2 (NIV): 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. 2 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.
I've included the NIV here but hey - you like another version use that - I really like The Message too - so much so I'll include them here:
Philippians 1:9-11 (The Message):
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Romans 12:1-2 (The Message):
1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 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.
I love the Body of Christ - that's you!! Cynthia
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