Daily Devotional: Friday, Nov 20
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Dangerous Transformations
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Today is the Day by Lincoln Brewster; Not to Us by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Mighty to Save by Hillsong United.
Read: Romans 12:1-8
Think: Rosa Parks, after her fateful decision to stand her ground on a segregated bus caught the attention of a nation. Something inside her allowed her the courage to do what she believed to be right and good. Later, she was quoted as saying, "I will no longer act on the outside in a way that contradicts the truth that I hold deeply inside. I will no longer act as if I were less than the whole person I know myself inwardly to be."
As Christians, we are new and transformed people. We are loved and holy people. We are saints and children of the Most High God. The trouble is not with who we are, or the inward life of how God has transformed us... that is immutable and constant. The trouble is with how we live on the outside. The trouble is with our outward actions being congruent with our inward reality. Do we live as whole and transformed people? Do we know that we are unconditionally loved and able to offer this to the world around us? Do we revel in the forgiveness we have received and live out this forgiveness and good will to others? Do we live as "dangerously transformed" people?
The Apostle Paul says to us, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)
The pattern of the world is to live by fear and ego - never giving in return what we invest into it. The kingdom way is to live by faith and love - a constant flow of energy, confidence and life.
Do: Determine today to live on the outside what you know to be true on the inside. Be the faith-filled, love-giving person you know God has made you to be.
Pray: God, you see how I struggle with doing the right and loving thing. Help me to know and understand your transformational power in developing me to be what you have always intended. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
