#Transform2021

 

Our word for 2021...Transform

Sanctification and transformation go hand in hand….we will be being sanctified until Jesus comes backs or takes us home! And hopeful we will be transforming to look like Jesus until then as well.

What might be some areas in 2021 that need transforming????

your marriage, maybe a critical spirit, your thoughts, how you parent, your speech/words….we sing that beautiful song, “Change My Heart Oh God”....but know this….transformation will only come when we stop trying so hard to fix all the things in our own strengths. It takes complete surrender to Christ. Apart from Him we can do nothing...especially change. With that surrender we have to humble ourselves before a Holy God and fill our minds with His life-transforming Truth...this is what I want our focus to be this year...being in the Word every single day….because change does start in our minds...we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds….so we are going to spend some time dissecting our verse for the year. Romans 12:1-2...

A Living Sacrifice

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

So what does “renewing our minds” actually look like?? 

1. We are to become a living sacrifice - well what does that look like?? What does that even mean. Paul is telling the believers in Rome that they are to sacrifice themselves to God, not like the animal sacrifices that they are all too familiar with, but rather as a living sacrifice. The definition for sacrifice is - anything consecrated and offered to God. So as believers, how do we do that? How do we offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice? We know under the old Covenant, God accepted animal sacrifices... But this was just a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ...Because of his once and for all sacrifice on the cross, those blood sacrifices are no longer needed... The power of the blood of Christ was enough to cover the sins of those who are in Christ. Death is no longer necessary hence the need for the word living in front of sacrifice. Jesus was our ultimate sacrifice so is only reasonable that we are a Living Sacrifice to him... And in a practical sense, verse two tells us what that looks like.

2. We are a living sacrifice by not conforming to this world...We are to be different from the world. Turn to 1 John 2:15-16…”Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

So this verse pretty much sums up all the world has to offer us….it can be reduced to these three things...For all that is of the World - the desires of the flesh, desire/lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…

*the desires of the FLESH -whatever appeals to our appetites- food, drink, sex, and anything else we look to to satisfy our physical needs other than Christ , 

*the desires (lust) of the EYES-  materialism... stuff... coveting what we see that we don't have any envying those who have what we want, and

*the pride of life- whatever puffs us up....And puts us on the throne of our own lives -  jobs, reputation, accomplishments, our children, etc. 

We are to think and act differently. We are to stand out as different...at our work places, on Facebook, and even family functions…

And the full proof way for believers to not be conformed to the world…

3. By being transformed by the renewing of our minds….THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD...The root word transformed is metamorphosis the definition of  metamorphosis is a change of form by natural or Supernatural means. Think about a caterpillar... it goes through a natural process and emerges from a hard outer case ( a cocoon) to live a new life. it has been changed in both appearance AND nature…. and the same should be said about us. When this supernatural process of our minds takes place, we will change! We will think differently!  We will act differently! Our old nature...with its wrong values, wrong beliefs, wrong practices.... are replaced by our new nature that we have in Christ!! 

Know this Sweet Sisters, we are not able to transform ourselves….these wrong patterns of thinking and behaving have been deeply implanted in us and we need to call it what it is  - SIN!!!  but praise God that sin was slain on the cross. Come on somebody!!!!!!!!!

It's the work of the Holy Spirit to transform us...our job is to submit to Him!

Romans 8:6…”For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Who doesn't want some life and peace...I want that so desperately for us this year…..and the way the world is headed, we are gonna need it!!!!!

So here my take aways….

1. My hope is that you will search your hearts and submit yourselves to God...admit that apart from, you can do nothing. Ask Him to show you areas of your life that need transforming. Ask for grace to humble yourselves to do hard things.

2. Find you an accountability partner….don’t leave here today without asking one of your sweet sisters to hold you accountable...to call you up and call you out.

3. Determine to be in the word every single day….look these verses up:

*We need to hear the Word - Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

*We need to read the Word - Revelations 1:3, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”

*We need to study the Word - Acts 17:11, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.       

*We need to memorize the Word - Psalm 119:9-11, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart,  that I might not sin against you

*We need to meditate on the Word - Psalm 1:2-3, “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

4. Remember that the Word of God, ministered to our heart by the Holy Spirit, is the ONLY power on Earth that can change us from worldliness to Godliness. 

5. Find a Bible plan, find a Bible study….there are so many resources out there and if you need help finding one, come see me. I love to share some resources with you...there are apps with wonderful Bible study that really dig into the Word, great podcasts to listen too, there are all different kinds of ways to read the Bible in a year, books upon books, upon books...not having resources cannot be an excuse.

 

Conclusion: 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

And oh how badly do we need all these things. I can't wait to see how the Lord transforms our lives this year as we meet together each month...via zoom and face to face...I can’t wait to watch the Word change us and strengthen us, and draw us closer to each other, but more importantly to Him. Let’s pray…

Thank you, Lord for who you are...for even giving us another year to do better...to get to know you more...thank you for your grace and strength, and your peace... and we pray that we will submit ourselves to you, Lord...and we admit that we can't change anything on our own. We need You and the power of the Holy Spirit, and Your Word, Lord….convict us Lord, put the desire in us to be in your Word everyday….show us where we need to be transformed, Lord...reveal yourself to us, expose us, and make us transparent before each other so that we can remember that we are not alone in this journey...sanctification highway is long, and bumping, but I’m so thankful that in your goodness and watch care over us, you don't make us travel this highway alone. I couldn’t be more thankful for the ladies in this room...for being able to grow in grace with them...the good, the bad, and even the brutal...thank you for the gift of your Son, thank you for this church and this ladies ministry...transform us, Lord, this year, to more and more like you everyday. Forgive us when we fail, and strengthen us to journey strong. We love you, Father….Amen.

 

A Daily Transformation

by Deborah Ann Belka © 2016

Lord, this year I want . . .

to spiritually grow

I want the Holy Spirit

in my life to glow.

I want a mind,

that is regenerated

on pure, holy thoughts

I want it concentrated.

I want my words to be,

ones that bring new life

I want them to carry

peace and never strife.

I want my actions,

to ooze with usefulness

I want my every deed

to exude fruitfulness.

I want my attitude,

to be humble and meek

I want to encourage

the lost and the weak.

I want my reactions,

to reflect Your love

I want Your will

to be all I think of.

Lord, this year I want . . .

a daily transformation

I want the Holy Spirit

to be my sole motivation!

Romans 12:2

“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.”