January 20, 2011
Today’s Text: Read Romans 12:2-3
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:2-3
Activation- Our presentation, separation, and transformation prepare us to do the “will of God.” It allows us to know what good works that God has for us. As we know and do God’s will in our lives we tell God, “I will accomplish Your will in my life in devotion to you.”
Realization- Romans 12:3 instructs us to not think of ourselves inaccurately (too highly of ourselves). As God begins to transform our thinking through the renewing of our mind, we begin to realize who we really are in relationship to him. We begin to see ourselves accurately We say to God, “Outside of you God I am nothing. But in you I am a new creature.” When we are being arrogant, selfish, or self-destructive, we aren’t thinking of ourselves accurately. We need to allow God’s Word to be the ultimate and final influencer of our self-image.
Application:
As we end this week, are you ready to give yourself to God? Is He your first priority? Are you ready to put Him first in every area of your life? If so, take some time to talk to Him about it. Why not? What do you have to lose? He loves you more than you know and wants only what will be your best and bring Him glory.
Study the Scriptures with Ben Jennings 
I used to say that God was most important to me, even when I wasn’t putting Him first or when I was living how I wanted to. I’ve struggled a lot with this, but I’ve come to the point in my relationship with God, that I realize that I truly am nothing without God. I’ve experienced living like I was a part of the world, rather then living like a child of God, and it got me no where. God picked me up off my feet, and brought me to the source of everything, Him. I’ve told God before that I was surrendering myself to Him, yet I wasn’t giving myself fully to Him. I know that I’m at the point in my life, where God is most important. I’ve started to tear out old habits with new habits, (good ones). I’ve never had a passion for something so much in my life, and it’s serving God. What a better way to give back to God, then giving myself to God. My relationship with God is serious, so I need to always be treating it like it is.
Thats awesome Melanie
I have experienced giving myself to God and not fully giving myself to God. I can say this: It truly is easier letting God have complete control. When we do, we can know for sure that we are safe in His will and care. I definitely do not put God first in every area of my life but should. I think if I go to God at the start of my day and before I tackle anything throughout the day I will have more peace and wisdom in how I handle everything in my life. I don’t know why this should seem so hard but sometimes I just forget.
Im totally ready to put god first in my life because he has done so much for me so why not return the favor and well he was already first in everything I do buy now he’s totally first hehehe. He is my number 1 priority I always say I don’t have a dad but now I know I have a big huge dad that I love hehe, so yes he is my first priority! 🙂 good message today hehe! 🙂
This is true for every body some times we all get full of our selfs me especially but I’m glad God was so gracious to renew my mind and the way that I think.
It is a daily check to keep God as top priority in your life. When you do it makes the day and life’s issues much easier to deal with because you are thinking eternally and hopefully with a bit of godly wisdom. This is a constant battle for me because I struggle with my time and the older I get the more difficult it becomes because there is “more to do”. It’s just breaking down and giving back to God what He deserves. I think Corey mentioned it a few weeks back in a message about giving not only 10% of your money, but what about tithing your time and giving 10% of your time back to God. I really like that concept cause it puts it into perspective.
i don’t always put God first in my life even though i say that.well,i don’t want to copy melanie but im like her.good job melanie! (and everyone else! hehe 🙂 ) loveu guys and seeu tmrw!!!
btw,pastor ben,did megan give you that paper from me???
I want God to be my top priority in everything but I can’t say He is. I want Him to be. It seems simple when I take a step back and look at my life. Me in control= failure. God in control=success. Yet, I still don’t give it all to Him.
Goal: Put Him first in everything and let Him handle it. He got this, not me(;
I know this already but I don’t apply it to myself and I think it’s time to start putting Him first since the things of this life aren’t forever. I need to start earning my treasures in heaven. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and have nothing to show for it except a few material things. I want God to look at my life and say “You did well. You lived a very good life on fire for ME not the world”
The verse says “Do not be conformed to this world” and I gotta admit alot of times I can get caught up with junk and compromise my godly morals just to be….cool? Sin so that I can have shortlived satisfaction somewhere that doesn’t matter and will be gone someday….yea that makes sense? Jesus is the way!(; Live for Him, who cares what they think. Don’t be conformed.
Don’t be conformed* to the world.