Get a New Heart and Live Free From Sin
Ezekiel 18:31a
Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.
I was asked during the first sermon on Forgiveness if I would address forgiving ourselves (in the middle of the sermon mind you – lol). I hope that we have touched on this subject and plan to do more in the final installment of the three part series on Sunday – May 20th. Join us at Mt. Oak Fellowship (pictured). This passage from Ezekiel spoke to my heart and I wanted to share it in the MONews and in our Friday devotional thought.
We have said a number of times that the heart is very important as we walk out our faith in Christ. Christianity boils down to attitude is now a common phrase many of us know. The position and condition of our heart is very important – so I like the simplicity of today’s passage – Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.
Other scriptures speak this truth to us as well. We’re told that when we come to Christ we will be given a new heart – we will be a new creation. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
We’re told that if we want to know God’s will for our lives we are to turn our hearts and minds over to Godly thoughts. Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2
I’ve used the example of a glass half filled with water and half filled with air. If the air represents sin – the water the things of God – and the glass our lives/heart – how do we get rid of the sin in our lives/heart? The easy answer is to put more water (God) into our glass (lives/heart) and the air (sin) will be forced out. It IS that simple my friends. Some try to make it so difficult and give us so many hoops to jump through to get rid of sin. We simply need to realize/confess that we have sin in our lives and ask God to come in to our heart/lives. If we simply spend more time with God – doing godly things – we will sin less and Rid ourselves of all the offenses we have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Living in Christ is Living a Life of Love!
1 Timothy 1:5
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
A lot has been said of late about attitude! We’re told in Scripture that our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5. I’ve often reminded us that Christianity boils down to attitude – the position and condition of our heart. Paul reminds us that the greatest gift is love: now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love 1 Corinthians 13:13.
When we’re young we often think about love as a feeling. Love is not an emotion or a feeling – love is an action – a purposeful action of the heart. It is a decision – an active decision. There is a misnomer that we can fall in love. We can fall into infatuation or desire – but love is a conscious decision. Love is the commitment of the heart.
Just a side note – we cannot fall out of love either – we purposefully decide to not build on our relationship with our partner or with another person. We fail to build on our decision to love.
Love comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. We decide to follow after Jesus or fill our time with the things of the world. We’re told – if we want to know God’s will for our lives – we should put more of God into our lives and less of the world. Here is how Paul wrote it: Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2
Today I encourage us to continue to make a daily decision to follow after Jesus – to love Jesus more and more! Walking out or working out our salvation is a moment by moment decision making process: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Prayer/Fast – Day 10
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer 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.
Today’s reading came from www.youversion.com – the 21-Day Fast reading plan. It is day 9 in the plan if you started on January 10th (today is day 10).
The reading was all of Chapter 12 – but verse 2 is one of my favorites and it spoke to me while on the prayer/fast.
It is contrary to the popular opinion that we should restrict/discipline ourselves from anything. The popular express – that dates many centuries back – is eat, drink and be merry. But when we fast we are restricting/disciplining ourselves. It might be something that our body craves. It might be something that is hard to give up. Part of a fast is to show spiritual control over a physical desire.
Yesterday I posted on Twitter – I DESIRE ME A DIET PEPSI! Just saying… only 12 more days! Ugh! A couple of people posted – when my Tweet posted to my Facebook page – that they were praying for me. That helped as the spirit overcame the physical desire for a Diet Pepsi – one of the things I am fasting from this year.
Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:2
It is through not conforming to the patters of the world – but allowing ourselves to be spiritually transformed – that we are able to know and test the will of God for our lives. I’m reminded today that my physical desires do not define me – unless I allow them to do so. I am a child of God and if I allow God – He will define me as such! What desire are you battling? Don’t forget the spiritual side of this prayer/fast. Seek the Lord and ask for strength as you show spiritual control over a physical desire.
Remember the key passage I’ve mentioned during the 21-day prayer/fast – Daniel 9:3 – So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I invite you to spend ½ an hour or even a few moments this morning in prayer – in your special place.
Personal Report: I made it through yesterday without a Diet Pepsi (or any soda) even through it was a tough day. No headaches yesterday or so far today. No Diet Pepsi for 9 days – starting day 10 today. I’m going to the gym this morning on the way to work.
I’m praying for you as you walk this prayer/fast with our fellowship. I pray God begins to speak to you through the prayer/fast.
If you wish to join me reading the same plans on www.youversion.com they are a yearlong reading plan called Robert Roberts – day 19 today – the Gospels in 30 days - day 11 today – and the 21-Day Fast – day 10 today. Join me or try other reading plans.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
Today’s Awakening devotion can be found here!
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Seeking God’s Will for Our Lives
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
During your spiritual journey – have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life? I mean – how many times have you sought out God’s will for your life? Passages like Romans 12:2 speak about seeking God’s will for our lives.
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer 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.
The more we form our lives around the things of God (rather than the world) – the more clearly we will be able to see God’s will for our lives.
Paul suggests that part of God’s will for us is to worship Him. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Can you remember a time when coming to worship or spending time before God in prayer or reading the Bible were not on your list of favorite things to do? The Bible says that they are part of what we were created to do. That must be why I feel so complete when I spend time before God – being joyful – praying – and giving thanks.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Renewing and Transforming Our Minds – To Be Like Christ!
Ephesians 4:22-24
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Yesterday we looked at Philippians 2:5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. We wrote about the trend a few years ago to wear jewelry that said WWJD – what would Jesus do? The jewelry was a reminder that we should constantly think about how Jesus would handle a given situation.
In today’s Scripture we are told to turn away from the sins of our life – the sins we lived with before turning to Christ. We’re told to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. Paul then instructs us to be made new in the attitude of your minds. The attitude of our minds! Another passage that helped form the phrase – Christianity boils down to attitude.
Dennis Green –when he was the coach of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team – had a meltdown in a post game interview after playing the Chicago Bears. He said that now famous line – they are who we thought they were! Our thoughts are very important. We are instructed in today’s passage to be made new in the attitude of your minds. We are told to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Today – I pray for you and for me – that we would put on a new mind – daily – and let our minds be transformed by the renewing of the Spirit. I pray that we would think on good things – Godly things – and be transformed into the mind and likeness of Christ.
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer 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.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
Our Bodies Are Living Sacrifices
Romans 12:1
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
One of my favorite passages – along with the next verse for sure – Romans 12:2 - 2Do not conform any longer 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.
Offering our bodies – the temples that host God – the Holy Spirit – as a living sacrifice is what pleases God. Many of us have not done a very good job with our bodies. Some of us weigh too much – eat the wrong things – don’t exercise enough – don’t get enough sleep – and I could go on and on. If our bodies are the be presented to God as a living sacrifice – we should present God the very best.
I am praying for the motivation to do better with my body – I believe many of us should have this same prayer – our witness is impacted by the condition of our earthly bodies – in some cases.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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