Bible League: Living His Word Do not conform 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.Christians say all the time that they want to know the Will of God. They say that if only they knew God's Will on a certain matter, then they would be willing to do it. It's easy for us to say we want God's Will, but it's not nearly as easy to put ourselves in the position where we can discern God's Will. Sometimes the Will of God stares us in the face and we are not able to recognize it for what it is. The first thing we must do in order to put ourselves in the proper position is to stop conforming to the pattern of this world. The world has its own perspectives on what everything is all about and if we have been conformed to these points of view we will not be as able to interpret what is going on in our lives as we should be. The priorities of the world are different from God's priorities. The second thing we must do in order to put ourselves in the proper position is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We must purge our conformity to the pattern of this world by changing our outlook on life. The best way to do this is to read the Bible. The Bible is God's Will par excellence. How can we recognize the Will of God in life if we are not familiar with the Bible? How can we recognize the Will of God if we have only been exposed to the will of the world? If we stop conforming ourselves to the pattern of this world and if we renew our minds through the Word of God, then we will be able to test and approve what God's Will is---His "good, pleasing and perfect will." We will be able to do this because we will know what to look for. The sincere person who has taken the time to change his outlook on life will be rewarded with a greater ability to discern the Will of God. Take the time today, and every day, to invest in the renewing of your mind. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJudges 18, 19 Judges 18 -- Danites Settle in Laish, Take Micah's Idols NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Judges 19 -- A Levite's Concubine Degraded NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 10:25-42 Luke 10 -- Jesus Sends out the Seventy-two; Good Samaritan; Martha and Mary's House NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Do not withhold good from those who deserve itwhen it's in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you.” Insight Delaying to do good is inconsiderate and unfair, whether it is repaying a loan, returning a tool, or fulfilling a promise. Withholding destroys trust and creates a great inconvenience. Challenge Be as eager to do good as you are to have good done to you. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hebrews 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp.Jesus, bearing his cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so; and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was "not of the world:" his life and his testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in him; but still he was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ's people must "go forth unto him." They must take their position "without the camp," as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and his truth next, and Christ and his truth beyond all the world. Jesus would have his people "go forth without the camp" for their own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ "without the camp." The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well recompensed by eternal honor; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are "forever with the Lord." Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. • For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. • Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Ephesians 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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