Friday, March 6, 2015

50 Days of Transformation - March 6th

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.


And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 5:23

Man As a Tripartite Being – Spirit, Soul and Body.
It is imperative for the believer who desires to grow spiritually to recognize the nature of man’s being.  The fact that man has a body is certainly not to be refuted but man is more than that.  It is also certain that most are aware that there is an emotional nature in us that differs one from another but is common to all.  This is our soul and contains the elements of our personality.  But being made in the image of God, man has been given another part of his nature that lifts him above all other creation; it is a spirit.

It is with his spirit that a man worships, and may contact God. The soul includes the conscious and subconscious minds, the realm of emotions and the will.  Soul gives a man personality, self-awareness, rationality and natural feeling. The body is a complex physical creation by which a person relates to this world and to other people in the world. We now know that every person's body is in large measure a product of their DNA code which exists in every cell of the body to program its amazing development.

As marvelous as the body may be, man has a non-physical aspect which consists of a different substance – spirit.  It is this part of man that is eternal.  Man is an intricate unity as well as being a three-part being. For this reason, whatever happens in one part of a man's being has repercussions in other areas as well.  God is interested in all three portions of our being – spirit, soul and body.  The Bible says concerning our Savior, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature , and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52.  This reveals the importance of our mental and emotional development, our physical prowess, our spiritual life with God of worship and communion, and our social interactions with others.

For our consideration it is imperative that man can allow any one of these parts to control the mind.  Great differences occur in our lives when we live directed by one or the other of these natures.  Controlled only by the body, a man will live as an animal seeking to please desires.  Controlled by the soul or emotions, an individual will be tossed about as a doll by the circumstances of life.  It is only when we are controlled by the spirit and the spirit is controlled by God that we are able to experience all that God has purposed for us.  When I am looking at life through the lens of the soul (emotion), and then turn the lens to look through the lens of the spirit, everything changes. Therefore, it is imperative that we strengthen our spirits. 

Many spend a great deal of time, money and energy to improve the body while others follow various gurus seeking peace.  But how many will seek to enhance their spirit by time with God and His Word?  Take time today for your spirit.

Scripture to Claim:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 


Questions and Prayer:


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

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