Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)
Consider a coffee bean, a carrot, and an egg. If you place each one of them in a pot of boiling water each are affected but in different ways. The carrot becomes soft and squishy. The egg becomes hardened within its shell. The coffee bean though, transforms the water. It changes hot water into hot coffee.
The world that you and I live in today needs transforming: for the better of course. The world has a way of rubbing off on us and because of that we begin to think worldly. Negativity, criticism, and pessimism become character traits. Did you know that what you think will eventually control how you act or react? Paul was instructing a small group of Christians in a powerful empire which was inhabited by a large group of Jewish residents. It was easy for them to be persuaded by their society. You and I are surrounded by a godless society in a powerful empire too. Instead of allowing our surroundings to rub off on us, let’s allow God to transform us! Let’s allow Him to use us in such a way that we will be like the coffee bean. Instead of letting the people around us change us, let’s allow God to use us to change them.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
King's Kids.
2 Corinthians 6:18: “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.” (NKJV)
My little six year old niece was visiting us and her Uncle Al was bragging on her for the great scores she got on her level of reading evaluations. “You are a very smart little girl,” he said. She replied, “I am a genius you know.”
Needless to say that kid has no problem with low self esteem! I began to think about that in the context of how we view our position in Christ. I think sometimes we take for granted that because we are saved that is all Jesus has done for us. When we listen to these words penned by the Apostle Paul it assures us that Jesus not only died that we may have eternal life, but because we have accepted Him, we have been adopted into the Royal Family! We are sons and daughters of the King! I am certainly no genius but even I can figure out how important a position that is! To be a child of the King means that we have access to the Palace and the Throne Room! Jesus has opened a lot of important doors for us! The next time the enemy tries to convince you that no one cares about you, or that you are nothing; remind him that your Father, the King, cares because you are His kid!
My little six year old niece was visiting us and her Uncle Al was bragging on her for the great scores she got on her level of reading evaluations. “You are a very smart little girl,” he said. She replied, “I am a genius you know.”
Needless to say that kid has no problem with low self esteem! I began to think about that in the context of how we view our position in Christ. I think sometimes we take for granted that because we are saved that is all Jesus has done for us. When we listen to these words penned by the Apostle Paul it assures us that Jesus not only died that we may have eternal life, but because we have accepted Him, we have been adopted into the Royal Family! We are sons and daughters of the King! I am certainly no genius but even I can figure out how important a position that is! To be a child of the King means that we have access to the Palace and the Throne Room! Jesus has opened a lot of important doors for us! The next time the enemy tries to convince you that no one cares about you, or that you are nothing; remind him that your Father, the King, cares because you are His kid!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Autumn Leaves
1 John 5:11: And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
On a drive through the North Carolina Mountains I enjoyed the beautiful scenery highlighted by the changing leaves. It seemed as if it were only days ago that the green, lush foliage of summer blanketed the hillsides. Now, the orange, reds, and yellows were evidence that summer has passed and autumn has arrived. The scenery, as beautiful as it is, still reminded me of what lies ahead.
Many people are in the autumn of their lives. Youthful summer has somehow slipped away. Many become depressed when they think about it. They see their life on a downhill slide to winter. Others however are contented being in that season of their life. Jesus was crucified at a young age by our standards; around thirty three. However He was much older than that! He was in the beginning with God. In fact He was with God before there was a beginning! Eternity has no boundaries. No beginning and no end. We cannot fully grasp that concept because we measure time. Age becomes a factor as either young or old. In order to be content with aging we must be assured of eternal life. God has made it available to us through His Son Jesus Christ. If we have accepted Him as our Savior although the autumn of our lives will lead to a winter; we will find ourselves transitioned into an eternal Spring; never having to face another winter.
On a drive through the North Carolina Mountains I enjoyed the beautiful scenery highlighted by the changing leaves. It seemed as if it were only days ago that the green, lush foliage of summer blanketed the hillsides. Now, the orange, reds, and yellows were evidence that summer has passed and autumn has arrived. The scenery, as beautiful as it is, still reminded me of what lies ahead.
Many people are in the autumn of their lives. Youthful summer has somehow slipped away. Many become depressed when they think about it. They see their life on a downhill slide to winter. Others however are contented being in that season of their life. Jesus was crucified at a young age by our standards; around thirty three. However He was much older than that! He was in the beginning with God. In fact He was with God before there was a beginning! Eternity has no boundaries. No beginning and no end. We cannot fully grasp that concept because we measure time. Age becomes a factor as either young or old. In order to be content with aging we must be assured of eternal life. God has made it available to us through His Son Jesus Christ. If we have accepted Him as our Savior although the autumn of our lives will lead to a winter; we will find ourselves transitioned into an eternal Spring; never having to face another winter.
Monday, October 4, 2010
What's That Smell?
2 Corinthians 2:16 (New King James Version)
16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Had your shower today? If not by now, more than likely you will before the day is through. If you choose not to bathe today than you are probably not going out in public! Of course there are those in our society who could care less about baths; mostly kids. One of our twins used to shower once a week whether he needed it or not. Do you think Paul is making a case for personal hygiene here? Me neither. Paul is using smell as an illustration of how people are attracted to Christ; or run away from Him! When Jesus went to raise Lazarus his sister said, “Don’t move that rock! He’s been in there four days! He stinketh!” No doubt. However Jesus brought the smell of life back to him. What odor are we giving off? Do those around us “smell” Jesus on us, or do we smell like a rotten egg? The smell of Christ starts with a clean heart and just like personal physical hygiene, stays clean with spiritual baths; daily. Remember what Jesus said; “A white washed tomb can hide rotten bones.” So let’s not only give off an appearance of Christ; let’s make sure we “smell” like Him too!
16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Had your shower today? If not by now, more than likely you will before the day is through. If you choose not to bathe today than you are probably not going out in public! Of course there are those in our society who could care less about baths; mostly kids. One of our twins used to shower once a week whether he needed it or not. Do you think Paul is making a case for personal hygiene here? Me neither. Paul is using smell as an illustration of how people are attracted to Christ; or run away from Him! When Jesus went to raise Lazarus his sister said, “Don’t move that rock! He’s been in there four days! He stinketh!” No doubt. However Jesus brought the smell of life back to him. What odor are we giving off? Do those around us “smell” Jesus on us, or do we smell like a rotten egg? The smell of Christ starts with a clean heart and just like personal physical hygiene, stays clean with spiritual baths; daily. Remember what Jesus said; “A white washed tomb can hide rotten bones.” So let’s not only give off an appearance of Christ; let’s make sure we “smell” like Him too!
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