Thursday, Jan 24, 2008

January 24, 2008 - Transformation

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Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Jeremiah 30; Zechariah 11; Mark 4

This week’s theme verse. Romans 12:1-2
I implore you, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Transformation is the goal of the Christian life – to become like Christ. The word transformed comes from a Greek word related to our English word “metamorphosis.” Metamorphosis is a noticeable and rapid transformation from one form into another. God wants to change us from an ugly caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly, so to speak. The mechanism for this transformation is what is known as “the renewing of your mind.” Real change occurs when our mind is renovated… how does this renovation occur? God’s word is the agent of change. When we begin to immerse ourselves in the word and meditate on it and begin to have our thinking patterns change so that we are “thinking God’s thoughts,” rapid and noticeable change will occur. You will become like Christ! Try it!

Dear Father, I would like you to transform my mind. I want to become like Christ. I am tired of being like this “ugly caterpillar” and I’d like my life to resemble that beautiful butterfly. I am willing to have you step in and renovate my thought processes and patterns. I will begin today by meditating on your word, by thinking biblically, by immersing myself in your world and thinking your thoughts. Thank you for such an awesome promise and such a life changing tool. I want to be like Jesus.

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:34 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Friday, Jan 11, 2008

January 11, 2008

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January 11, 2008
Jeremiah 20; Zechariah 1; Romans 10

Weekly Theme: 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Guilt is a huge issue among Christians. We want to do right and often do not do it. Others have expectations of us that we do not meet. We ourselves have personal unfulfilled expectations of ourselves. We must learn to differentiate between true guilt and false guilt. True guilt is when I am “guilty.” I have really “sinned” – I’ve disobeyed God or done something to hurt someone. For that we need Confession, restitution and restoration. But many times we feel false guilt. For example: if I feel guilty because I can’t do something for you because I am unable to, I may feel guilty… but it is false guilt and should be dismissed. Or if I have confessed my sin, and I still feel guilty, that is false guilt as well because my offense has been cleared. When it is false guilt, we must be firm with ourselves and say, “you have 1 minute to feel sorry for yourself, and after that – No More!”.

Father, sometimes I struggle with false guilt. I struggle with the expectations of others. I struggle with sin that has already been forgiven. Please help me to be firm with myself and be aware that the enemy wants me to wallow in guilt, but you do not. That’s why you made provision for my sin. Thanks for your wonderful forgiveness!

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:05 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT