Monday, December 29, 2008

Spiritual Renewal (Part 1)

"Therefore, 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. 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 12:1-2

At the end of every year, most of us pause and reflect upon those things we would like to change in our lives. Often, we start the New Year with a resolution to change something we dislike in ourselves. However, by the end of February, the resolution is most always forgotten and life goes back to normal until next December. I think this holds true in our walks with the Lord. He makes known to us something He would like us to change or improve so that we could better serve Him and others; we recognize His call and begin on our own to change but soon give up in frustration, unsuccessful.

As I studied Romans chapter 12, the Lord made me aware of some old habits that I have retained since being saved. The Lord pointed out that they are creating separation between the Father and I and are inhibiting me from enjoying the fullness of joy he has planned for my life. Obviously they have to go, but how can I rid myself of these obstacles.

Paul describes three practical things we can do to rid ourselves of the obstacles in our relationship with the Father and discover God’s will for our lives. He says we are to:

1. “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God as a spiritual act of worship;”
2. (no longer) "conform... to the pattern of this world;” and
3. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Christians everywhere are looking for the answer to the question, what is God’s will, “His good and pleasing will.” How many hours of study and prayer are put in trying to discover God’s plan for our lives? Paul, says the answer is quite simple, "Offer your bodies (to Him) as living sacrifices.” By offering ourselves completely to God we are not only worshiping Him but we are placing ourselves on a path of discovery toward God’s will!

We can't however offer ourselves completely "holy and pleasing" to God until we first do a couple things. The most essential step is to accept the Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Saviour. Without admitting sinfulness and the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus Christ, no resolution or any other self-improvement promise will make us holy and pleasing. We must begin on our knees in prayer asking Jesus to dwell inside us and accept his sacrifice on the cross to remove our sins once and for all. Once this step has been taken a process of prayer, daily scripture reading, and regular worship and fellowship with God and other Christians must begin. In that process of walking in relationship with the Father, He will begin to reveal those areas in your life that need to be confessed and turned away (repented) from.

Tomorrow, we will continue looking and meditating on this verse and discover how, we can remove those obstacles, that, although we are saved, hinder us from realizing the fullness of joy our Heavenly Father has planned for us.

My prayer. Father, we are sinners and it is only through your love for us and the sacrifice of your only Son that we can be presented to you as holy and living sacrifices to you. In the days ahead Father hear our prayers and reveal to us the places in our lives that are causing us to stumble in our walk with you. Show us Father where the Enemy has been able to establish a stronghold in our lives so that we may begin to tear it down and eliminate that which is blinding us from seeing your good and perfect will for our lives and for the advancement of Your Kingdom on earth. I pray in earnest in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Deliverer, Amen!

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