We are called to be different; by transforming our minds we correct some thinking that we have to be like everyone else and that is a good thing!
And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans2:12
I worship you with all my heart. Don't let me walk away from your commands. Psalm 119:10
Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:11-15
Take away my foolish desires, and let me find life by walking with you. Psalm 119 :37
Are you walking in His Word today or are you walking in the world? Are you being transformed by the renewing of you mind daily? There are some commands that have a promise and this is one of them that does… “that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”.
I often hear people say, “If it’s the Lord’s will I will…” and, “God willing….” It makes me think about how someone would know what God’s will is. The scriptures teach us how to prove the Word is the truth, and then we can rightly divide the Word in truth. But we have to study it, we have to read it.
The Word tells me not to be conformed to this world but to renew my mind, and we all know that to renew our mind we have to be in the Word and prayer. Acts 6 tells us about devoting ourselves to prayer and the Word, and that there are those who are called to different areas of the church. Not all are meant to be preachers and teachers. Yet, all are meant to learn the Word of God; the Gospel must go out to the world. We need to study it. This means reading and speaking it, not just keeping it to ourselves.
The Word of God was not written for us to read and feed on and not give out to others to read and feed too. If all we do is read it and think on it then we are not living the Word, we are not walking in the Word, and we are not doing what God intended for us to do with it.
The Bible was not written and combined for us to just read it. What are we to do with it then?
Read- to build our knowledge and understanding His will.
Read- to walk out what you read. If you read how to worship, then you need to worship. If you read to speak His truth, then you need to speak it. If you read to study to show yourself approved, then you study to know what is right and what is for now. We can say, "Hey, that’s what Paul said to those people. How can that help me now?" Then apply it to our lives.
Study- to know what the difference is between truth and error.
Study- to know what God’s will is.
Speak it out- share it with others.
Speak it out- pray with others, reminding them what God’s word says.
I think it’s funny sometimes when people think we have to remind God what His word says. It’s not reminding Him when we pray, it’s reminding us and giving us and the people we are praying for the faith builder. It's reminding us to trust in His word and not waiver in our belief that He will do what He promised.
When you pray you need to go to God believing. Without the Word of God as your daily reading, you will not know that God has done it before and He will do it again. Without the Word of God as your daily reading, you will not remember who God is and why He wants to help you with your work. You will not know that God loves you.
And another thing, without reading the Word of God and studying it, you will not be able to answer questions from others when you go evangelizing the nations as Jesus instructed us all to do. In fact, if you do not read the Bible you will not know what to do as your God-given goal. Maybe you like to flounder through your days wondering why things are happening, but me, I would rather ask God each day to guide my steps, to direct my path and to show me what He would have me do for that day. It takes a lot of guess work out of it!
God is awesome that way! He will show us what is next if we just look to Him for that direction. Remember, you can't build a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box. God has the puzzle box.
Dear heavenly Father, help us to remember to look to You each day for direction in both prayer and in reading of Your Word. Thank you for giving us such easy guiding words to follow. In Jesus' name, amen.
Suggested reading 2 Corinthians 5:all, Psalm 119:all (It's a really long Psalm so this week's list is short, read a section a day), Acts 5:all