Pressin’ On

Yesterday, I wrote about resting in Him rather than trying to strive toward behavior change versus heart transformation.  There’s a difference. I can self-manage myself all I want, but if I don’t get rid of the roots (side note: I’m trying to correct my Minnesotan accent and say that word correctly except then I just get confused on what way is correct! how do you say it?) and get my heart right then I’m just covering up the real issue.  So true…but along with that…

I need to strain toward what lies ahead. I need to beat my body and make it my slave. Put aside my old self and put on the new. Letting God direct my path and fix my eyes on Him because He is the author and perfecter of my faith.

Where do you find balance between these two? How does it look in your life?

Stories

Yesterday, we met some of the kids at Hope House.  Today, we’re meeting Katleho.  He comes to our LaunchPad class at Clubview every Tuesday.  He came last term for our “Becoming A Contagious Christian” curriculum and he’s coming this term as well for “Christ in You.”  He sits in the back row of the class with a couple of his friends.  Last term, he didn’t talk much, seemed more interested in other things, but still had a touch of curiosity and he even came up to talk with me once after class.  Yet, despite all this, I could tell he wanted more.  Even in this picture, you can see a glimpse of his personality, his curiosity, his hope.  LaunchPad is one of my favorite parts of the week. Why? Because I absolutely love seeing lives transformed through God working through engaging curriculum and personal relationships.  I can see the difference in Katleho’s eyes as he comes to class and how he interacts compared to last term.  I see him prompting and delving into the discussion questions with his friends.  I am excited for God’s work in him and am expectant for even more.  Pray with me for the kids in the LaunchPad classes for radical transformation to be evident in their lives!

Romans

Apparently not having roomies around turns me into a blogging fiend.  I’m quite surprised with how many posts I have posted so far this month.  Crazy!  Anyway, onto some biblical thoughts tonight 🙂

Romans 7:22-24

“For in my inner inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work.  What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Reading through Romans has opened my eyes to everything that we have said in our series at Hope.  The series is titled “Be Killing Sin or Sin Will Be Killing You” or something to that nature.  This verse reminded me greatly that it is WAR and who will come to my rescue? Jesus. Plain and simple.  Jesus will rescue us from this body of death.  

Romans 8:5

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…”

What am I setting my mind on lately?  Am I thinking about what the Spirit desires or am I thinking about my desires?  Do I constantly seek God or has God been put on the back burner as a nice warm cup whenever I feel like it?

Romans 8:26

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

When I am weak and ready to give in, normally I call a friend.  Yes, friends are awesome, but my first cry should go out to God.  For some things, I have become dependent and thankfully friends don’t always answer so I am forced to choose between fighting by myself or turning to God.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Thank goodness!  Notice the *ALL* things.

Romans 12:1-2

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.”

I absolutely love this verse.  So much so that on the bottom of all my pottery you will find 12:2.  If I had to pick a “life verse” this might be it….or maybe Ephesians 5:2.  Love that too.  

 

p.s. While writing these verses, I kept wanting to write down the whole book because let’s be honest.  Most people get a LOT more out of the entire book in context than a few random verses.  As such, I encourage you to go read Romans 🙂  I like it, maybe you will too.

Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

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. 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.

—

Sermon Notes from Hope Community Church

I. “Total Transformation”

A. God’s mercy in Christ is the basis for our offering

-transformation begins at the cross.

-in light of what God has done in Christ…

B. True worship is a sacrifice of all we are to God

-an overflow of thanks and gratitude

-love so amazing, so divine demands my life, my soul, my all

II. We must be constantly transformed

A. Resisting conformity to this world

-passive verb

-personifies “world”–everything opposed to God, see 1 John 2:15-16

-no neutral ground–we are shaped by something

B. Renewing Our Minds

-also a passive verb

-Holy Spirit does the work–2 Corinthians 3:18

-put ourselves in transformation’s way

C. Recognizing and living out God’s will

-test, approve what God wants and then do it

Questions for Reflection

1. Is there something you need to sacrifice because it’s holding you back from a lifestyle of transformation?

2. What can you do in order to put yourself in transformation’s way this year?

3. What area in your life could you resolve to live out the implications of the Gospel in a more powerful way?

Pairs of Pants

I have searched high and low since December to find a pair of jeans that fit well.  I finally found them!!!  Due to various circumstances, I lost some weight and none of my other jeans fit quite right.  The jeans either were annoyingly big in the waist or they were too tight in areas or too short (I shrink things…) or a bit old that they had awkward holes.  I also found amazing black pants that fit me this last week too.  There’s just something amazing about wearing a pair of pants that fits, is comfortable, and makes you feel good.

The same can be true about relationships.  I know this is a stretch, but I think the analogy between pants and relationships is interesting 🙂

  I have some pants that I wear occasionally, some that I shouldn’t wear, some that I wear all the time, some that I want to wear more often–either too dressy or just not enough other clothes to go with them, some old pairs that I still love, some old pairs that I love, but don’t really work anymore, some that are too comfortable, some that make me want to change, some that change me, ect.

Even my relationship with God has changed throughout the years through some of the different stages.  When I was younger, I definitely didn’t want anything to do with that “pair of pants.”  When I first became a Christian, I felt extremely awkward and unsure of myself in those dressy pants.  At times, I have become too complacent and comfortable in my relationship with God.  Other times, the “pants” have been really hard to wear and uncomfortable because I went through a period of change.

A final clarifying thought:

The different types of pants/relationships add variety and freshness to my life.  I need dressy pants, skinny jeans, comfy sweatpants just like I need the differing relationships in my life.  Not everyone can be a comfortable pair of sweatpants for me, otherwise how am I ever going to get a job! 😉

-Katy Rose

Biblical Reference to look up: 1 Corinthians 12