Transformation

Romans 12:1-2
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. 2]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.

I think that us, as Christians, don't really take these verses as seriously as it should be taken, or we may take these verses a little too far. The verses before these talk about how no one can ever pay God something that He should pay them back. In other words, God has blessed us with so much, we can't give enough to repay him for what he has done. So we should, "present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God." So I ask you, what is a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God? Well, it is setting yourself apart for God, and it starts with believing in him and what he has done for you, and then receiving him into your life as your Lord and Savior. If you're a Chirstian, you've already done that. Also, this passage talks about not conforming to this world, which is a huge point. As Christians, we should be setting the example of a good Christian. Not only that, but we should be different from other people, or at least be different than what we were before, because when we became Christians, God transformed us. That doesn't mean that we have to be good Christians to go to heaven or keep our relationship with God, for the bible states in John 10:29, "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." This change is not only in the way we act or our attitudes, but instead of being God's enemies, we have a relationship with God, which is the biggest, most important transformation of all. Also, we have the Holy Spirit, which definitely changes our attitude, actions, and the way we act toward God. So, be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

(Day After) Tuesday With Brett: Clay Jars with Treasure Inside

II Corinthians 4:5-18

"For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

[7]But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us, but life in you.

[13] Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I have believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, [14] knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. [15] For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

[16]So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. [17] For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

---------------------------------------------------------

There is a whole lot to be encouraged by in this passage. As a Algonquin student of past time, I remember many times walking through the halls, and trudging up the stairs of the building, and just being flat out discouraged. "I'm not where I need to be," or "wow, I really am way in over my head. How the heck am I really going to make any difference at all?" But now remember in this verse, "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." We don't get up in the morning and live for God by showing how great we are. We are the instruments of the proclamation of the glory of God--God is using us to proclaim Christ to people. That is our mission. More than that, God doesn't use glamorous, wonderful people to do this task: he uses sinful, silly, and foolish people like you and me every day. All those people that are in the Bible--they are just ordinary people. All of them. They are not the main character of the volume that is within. The main character of every story in the Bible is God. Jesus said in revalation, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end." Alpha and Omega are like the greek versions of A and Z. Jesus is not limited by time, space, or anything. He is the beginning, and he is the end. So why does he deal with people like us then? "[7]But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." How much is the clay worth, I wonder? Today, one can get a good size pot from the dollar store. So where is the source of our worth? Is it in ourselves, a near to worthless pot? No, take heart, it is the treasure inside. That is where the true value is.

All of our value and strength is found in Jesus Christ. "[8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh." In this way, my beloved young brothers and sisters, we can be encouraged. Even as we carry around, and remind ourselves of the surpassing grace and mercy and sacrifice that Jesus gave to us--if we carry that, and live in that, and breath in that, then the very life of Jesus Christ will begin to pour out from us, even as our mortal bodies remain dead. That is an astounding truth. "[16]So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. [17] For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." Take heart my kin, for though your bodies still are dead, though you suffer now, it is not to be compared to what we shall experience in eternity. The sin and death and pain that you see now, that is only temporary. The things of God which you have had the faith to believe--they will never dissapear! Be encouraged. Read this passage several times, there is a lot to get from it. I need to go over it more. Pray about it. Ask God how you, a clay pot, can share and carry the mercies of Christ in your daily life. Get with a friend, pray with them about it.

"[13] Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I have believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, [14] knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. [15] For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God." We have one faith, one Lord, and one awesome treasure. As grace extends, thank God, and give to Him the glory. I pray that God would bless you brothers and sisters at Maine West, and that He would work so great a work with you, that the only choice for someone to observe it would be to say, "This is from the Lord." I believe that, in His way and His time and purpose, He will gladly answer that.

Tuesday with Brett: The Call to Witness

Luke 12:8-12

" 'And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, [9] but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. [10] And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [11] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.' "

I know in my life, especially in middle school, I have been afraid of people thinking of me as super religious, and there have been ways in which I have not acknowledged Christ in nearly the way that I should. Not as a Christian in general, of course--I'm not talking about that kind of denial. I'm talking about before our peers--the people we hang out with. These people, especially here in America, generally do not have the power to harm us very much. For most people, the only thing we are risking is having them still hang out with us. When you think about it, that isn't very much risk in light of an eternity with the Father. In the days of the early Church, and the Apostles, Christians were excluded, persecuted, and even killed for their faith, yet they held true to their Savior. And yet how often do we, risking little, not even give him that kind of respect.

" '[11] And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.' "

Brothers and sisters, remember these words from God the next time you feel compelled to share your faith, and yet don't know how. Jesus is with you, and he sends as to deliver himself as a witness to others, before the high, respected people of the world. This can mean anyone from your friend to your brother to your father to the President of the United States, and even to the emperor of the world if there ever is one. Do not be anxious, for it is the Holy Spirit who will teach you what you ought to say. Listen to him, and he will tell you what to do.

Be filled with the Spirit, and be encouraged. God bless!

Devotion on Jesus and Nicodemus

John 3:1-21


"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." [3] Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." [4] Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" [5] Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.


[9] Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" [10] Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel that you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven except he who has descended from heaven. [14] And as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] that whoever beleves in him may have eternal life.


[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned , but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. [21] But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."

Before you go on reading, I would like you to read this passage again, and this time, read it carefully, if you haven't already. This passage is a kind-of famous passage, but a lot of times, people don't really think of what this means. The first two verses are probably more significant than you think. In those days, pharisees were usually too arrogant to admit that Jesus was of God. Even though Nicodemus did come to see Jesus, he came during the night, which shows that he was afraid to confront Jesus in front of other people. In our lives, too, I think a lot of us get too afraid of what people might think of us when we do something, instead of doing what we know is right. Verses 3-8 is where I would say Jesus loses Nicodemus. What Jesus is talking about is spiritual rebirth. See, when Adam sinned, sin entered the world, and with sin comes spiritual death. Spiritual death is just fancy talk for separation from God. As Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." . Therefore, no one could have a relationship with God in heaven, and someone perfect had to die for the sins of the world, which was Jesus. Whoever accepts him into their life will be given Jesus' holiness and therefore be able to have a relationship with God in heaven. Those who don't will spend an eternity in hell seperated from God. When we accept Jesus as our savior, we are "reborn" into God's family. In verses 9-12 Jesus is putting Nicodemus in his place. In those days, believe it or not, the pharisees were the leaders of the chuch. They were supposed to know the most of the church, but Nicodemus didn't even know about spiritual rebirth. In verses 14-15, Jesus is using the example of Moses putting a bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness so that the Israelites who looked up at the snake would not die from their snakebites. Just like them, we can be saved from eternal seperation from God by receiving Jesus into our lives. A good thing to do after this is pray about this devotion, and how you can apply this to your life.