Thursday, March 5, 2015

50 Days of Transformation - March 5th

It seems the winter weather has changed the schedules for our Transformation Series.  We will continue the series on Mental Health in NEXT WEEK’S DEVOTIONALS.  This week, let’s stay focused on transformation with some additional thoughts on Romans 12:2 and our SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL transformation. You will find the questions from your Transformed book at the end which you can answer in the Notes pages or on the blank pages in the back of your Transformed book.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 
Romans 12:1-2 NASB

We really have not spent much time focusing on the end of Romans 12:2 as we have moved through 50 Days of Transformation.  Paul’s call to transformation has a purpose and that is what is stated at the end of the verse.  The blessing of transformation is a valuable asset for the believer who desires to know more about God and find the peace and purpose He has promised.  Let’s allow God to guide our understanding of so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Understanding Through the Spirit -
Developing our spiritual health opens the door for God’s Word and purpose to become clear.  Jesus repeatedly said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” as He spoke to the people.  It is clear that understanding spiritual things cannot be accomplished with “fleshly” minds.  Paul exhorts us to be transformed for the purpose of comprehending, validating and following God’s plan.

The Greek word used here for prove is dokimazō and is commonly applied to metals, to the operation of testing, or trying them by the severity of fire, etc. Hence, it also means to explore, investigate, ascertain. The sense is, that such a renewed mind is essential to a successful inquiry after the will of God. Having a disposition to obey him, the mind will be prepared to understand his precepts.
Even as children we have wanted to know “why” we had to do something.  It just seems that if we know the purpose we may be more interested in doing what we are asked.  Obedience should not be dismissed when the purpose cannot be known, but knowing “why” something is required does provide increased willingness to obey; especially when we discover it will benefit our lives.

Spiritual truth is not discovered so much as it is discerned.  God has not hidden His truth but will reveal it to the spiritual seeker.  One of the problems people have in discerning God is their refusal to stop listening with physical ears.  The writer of Proverbs calls for us to seek wisdom in order to gain discernment and understanding.

My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-6 NASB

Seeking to know God and His ways requires a different kind of hearing that is based in a desire to know Him, not define Him.  

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.   1 Corinthians 2:12-14 NIV

As you continue your quest for Spiritual Health, be intentional about listening from your spirit and not from your brain.  Seeking to know God and not just understand Him is beginning of a relationship with Him.  Are you ready hear Him?

Scripture to Claim:
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; John 10:27 NASB

Questions and Prayer:


What Did You Hear?
What Do You Think?
What Will You Do?
Now Talk to God...

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