"If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us." ~1 John 1:8
" If we confess our sins, He is faithful adn righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." ~1 John 1:9
What I am realizing is that I am not calling sin "sin." I can tend to justify my actions. Sometimes I am so desensitized that I am not even convicted of sin. But the reality is...I have sin in my life that I am not dealing with!
I was reading Elizabeth George's book for my quiet-time this morning called A Woman After God's Own Heart. She talked about calling sin "sin" and by doing so we train our heart to be responsive to God's convicting spirit. She says that the split second you think or do anything contrary to God's heart, stop immediately! She states that such action is key to training your heart to be responsive to God.
Of course we have to be in the Word to be able to identify sin in our lives. We need to Truth in order to know what is false.
I was in a situation the other day where I was starting to have thoughts that where not in line with God's Word and immediately God brought truth to my mind about that situation. I was able to say, "wait a minute, what am I thinking? This is not what God thinks about this. His Word says......!
Challenge:
Can you think of any situation where you are making excues about your disobedience? Are you obeying God only halfway?
Do you know what kind of attitude and heart that God desires?
As Elizabeth George says, "As you desire all that God desires, loves all that He loves, and humble yourselve under His might hand (1 Peter 5:6), then your heart will indeed be a heart after God. What a blessed thought!"
~kerry
Showing posts with label Transfomed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transfomed. Show all posts
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Let us not conform but be TRANSFORMED!
Today I was reading a book that had some pretty startling information. A poll done in 2004 showed that while 42 percent of Americans claim to be born again Christians only 10 percent of all those polled can point to a transforming encounter with Christ.
Very convicting to me!
I reflected on my own journey with Christ and wondered which percentile I might fall under.
I was reminded of the apostle Paul's plea regarding transforming our lives:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~Romans 12:1-2
Does my life really look any different than the world? I must admit that I get caught up in the things of this world. If you have read my earlier posts you know that there are some exciting things going on in our lives that involve ministry. But I have to be honest and say that there are several times during the day that I start to think, "What are we thinking, we can't just pick up and move. What about Parker's school. What about our Christian neighbors. What about the security of knowing that my kids are safe in this neighborhood.. And what about our 'stuff.' I don't want to have to sell anything. It is all very sentimental. How will I part from it?"
While I am not saying that God doesn't care about those things, it is not to be the driving force behind what we do. I struggle with this. I want so much to take care of my children and make choices that will keep them safe, protected, out of harms way.
But here is the TRUTH.....we are not "secure" or "safe" if we are not following Jesus. To be governed by the world is actually the most unsafe and harmful place to be. And as far as our 'stuff' goes....as my mom used to say, "you can't take it to Heaven with you."
You know, I don't know where we will live next? But I know that I don't want to get caught in cycle of never having enough. I desire to live my life for Christ and make a difference in a BIG way. Now, don't get me wrong. I would be THRILLED if God chose to keep us in this house. But I would be just as thrilled if we lived in a shack near the UT campus sharing the gospel with college students!
Desiring a pure and holy passion,
kerry
Very convicting to me!
I reflected on my own journey with Christ and wondered which percentile I might fall under.
I was reminded of the apostle Paul's plea regarding transforming our lives:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~Romans 12:1-2
Does my life really look any different than the world? I must admit that I get caught up in the things of this world. If you have read my earlier posts you know that there are some exciting things going on in our lives that involve ministry. But I have to be honest and say that there are several times during the day that I start to think, "What are we thinking, we can't just pick up and move. What about Parker's school. What about our Christian neighbors. What about the security of knowing that my kids are safe in this neighborhood.. And what about our 'stuff.' I don't want to have to sell anything. It is all very sentimental. How will I part from it?"
While I am not saying that God doesn't care about those things, it is not to be the driving force behind what we do. I struggle with this. I want so much to take care of my children and make choices that will keep them safe, protected, out of harms way.
But here is the TRUTH.....we are not "secure" or "safe" if we are not following Jesus. To be governed by the world is actually the most unsafe and harmful place to be. And as far as our 'stuff' goes....as my mom used to say, "you can't take it to Heaven with you."
You know, I don't know where we will live next? But I know that I don't want to get caught in cycle of never having enough. I desire to live my life for Christ and make a difference in a BIG way. Now, don't get me wrong. I would be THRILLED if God chose to keep us in this house. But I would be just as thrilled if we lived in a shack near the UT campus sharing the gospel with college students!
Desiring a pure and holy passion,
kerry
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