The First Time
“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.” - Romans 12:2
Do you remember the first time you rode a bike? Did you pick it up right away? What about the first time you learned to swim, or walk, or talk? Was it perfect the first time you did it? We live in an “instant” world that gives us a false sense of how improvement works.
Businesses have mastered the art of giving you what you want when you want it. They sure know how to market this to you. And while in many aspects of life, it makes things really convenient, it also gives a false sense of how the improvement process works.
Because despite the fact that you can order food and have it instantly, getting better and improving at something is not as instant. Yesterday, we talked about learning to know what is good in the eyes of God.
If we want to be obedient to Him, we have to learn to chase after things that He desires for us. Romans 12:2 puts it this way, “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.”
Many people know this verse. They talk about not being conformed to the ways of this world but being transformed by the renewal of your mind. They know the end of the verse, “so that you can discern the will of God and know what is good and perfect.”
But they forget the middle, “that by TESTING…” Testing means, “the action or process of checking someone or something, revealing a person’s capabilities by putting them under strain; challenging.”
This does not mean you will be perfect right away. You will not know the will of God immediately. You must test and find out! As humans, NONE OF US are perfect. And we will not get it right, right away. But that does not mean we give up! Keep testing! Keep learning the will of God so you can know what His good and perfect will for your life is!
Do you remember the first time you rode a bike? Did you pick it up right away? What about the first time you learned to swim, or walk, or talk? Was it perfect the first time you did it? We live in an “instant” world that gives us a false sense of how improvement works.
Businesses have mastered the art of giving you what you want when you want it. They sure know how to market this to you. And while in many aspects of life, it makes things really convenient, it also gives a false sense of how the improvement process works.
Because despite the fact that you can order food and have it instantly, getting better and improving at something is not as instant. Yesterday, we talked about learning to know what is good in the eyes of God.
If we want to be obedient to Him, we have to learn to chase after things that He desires for us. Romans 12:2 puts it this way, “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.”
Many people know this verse. They talk about not being conformed to the ways of this world but being transformed by the renewal of your mind. They know the end of the verse, “so that you can discern the will of God and know what is good and perfect.”
But they forget the middle, “that by TESTING…” Testing means, “the action or process of checking someone or something, revealing a person’s capabilities by putting them under strain; challenging.”
This does not mean you will be perfect right away. You will not know the will of God immediately. You must test and find out! As humans, NONE OF US are perfect. And we will not get it right, right away. But that does not mean we give up! Keep testing! Keep learning the will of God so you can know what His good and perfect will for your life is!
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Amazing PerfectionJesus Was Tempted TooI Want to Feel ThatI Want to Have ThatI Want to Be ThatShort Term ThinkingArmored UpOur AdvocateAs You AreLove WinsAccessing God’s WordYour Fate is SealedAll Eyes on JesusWhat Controls Your Life?If You Love Me...A Blessing Not a BurdenDefeating EvilIt Doesn’t Work That WayIn Accordance with HimHis Will Not Our WillHe Sees EverythingHe Knows EverythingHe Loves You Beyond ImaginationHe’s Got YouHe Already Proved ItNo Longer Slaves to SinNo Longer Crippled by ConfusionNo Longer ForsakenDoes He Have You?The Only Unforgiveable SinWiped Away
February
The Way I WantEverydayTestimony of SalvationTestimony of TransformationNo Past, Just FutureThe Blue CheckSliding in the DMsImitating JesusWhat is GoodThe First TimeToo DirtyWhen God Can “Be God”Are You Ducking God?God’s GymGod Chases YouGod Loves YouGod Pursues You... ContinuallyGod Directs YouGod Protects YouGod Guides YouHis Purpose PrevailsA Selfless LoveWhat’s Different?How Are You Loving?He’s Got YouHe’s All About YouPerfect in His EyesYour Best
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What Are You Waiting For?The Disease of TomorrowGod’s Spiritual GiftsA Personal GiftA Purposeful GiftA Practical GiftDon’t Waste Your GiftIt Takes a VillageEveryone Has a RoleYour BubbleThe Opportunity is ThereAre You Looking?Written OffThe Right PeopleGod is in The DetailsFail-ProofThe Truth...Doesn’t HurtA New BeginningSeeing The GoodWhat He Has DoneWhat He is DoingWhat He Will DoWhat Are You Worried About?Longing For MoreWhat About Now?FavoredGiven Not EarnedBecause His LoveIt’s Who He IsFrom Him
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