Thanks-Living Pt 2

Thanks-Living Pt.2

Romans 12:1-2 GNT

So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

We find the Apostle Paul appealing to all those who have experienced the mercy, love, & goodness of God.

It is kind of like the “give-back program” because of all that has been done already for us.

I want us to consider, during this holiday season of Thanksgiving, the idea Paul is presenting here. Then, how it comes together with much of what Jesus said before Paul ever knew Him.

There are 3 things I was given while in the prayer room this week. Let’s check them out together.

I. Living Sacrifice…

A living sacrifice is different from all other sacrifice.

II. Free From World System…

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.

For most, it is a difficult thing to admit that, even though you realized your need for Jesus, your mind is still really a mess trying to sort through all the world has deposited in you over the years.

If you have been a live very long, you have learned how to get by & survive in this world by your own standards.

Paul is telling us that all that MUST change! But how???

Ephesians 4:21-24 CEV But that isn’t what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about him and learned about him. You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy.

The one thing that is for sure; God is interested in us following His plan & way of thinking rather than our own natural way of thinking.

Take a quick inventory about what is different in your life since accepting Jesus? What things do you no longer feel good or comfortable with?

Can you identify the true changes that have taken place?

2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

Our heavenly Father is interested very much in our coming together with Him in His plan & purpose for being in this world.

Today, many of our local churches are struggling because they can’t get help to carry out the ministry work that needs to happen to fulfill God’s purpose in them.

I contend that it will continue to be a problem as long as the minds of people are more focused on what makes them happy or pleases them than what pleases God.

My prayer is that God will send a fresh revival of the FEAR OF THE LORD!

I pray, God, send Destiny more people who are ready to give you first fruits of their life & not just left-overs!

Father, give us some red-hot, Holy Ghost filled, selfless, praying, God-pleasing believers that won’t rest until the Holy Spirit is shaking our Gulf Coast!

Deliver us from this world & its systems…..transform us by helping us to renew our minds by your Word!

1 John 2:15-17 NLT Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

How many here today has that as your goal???

III. To Know the Will of God…

…to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect.

As we get free & delivered from sin; once we begin being transformed & cleansed from our old way of thinking……

It is then that we can truly begin to focus on what God’s real purpose is for us being alive.

Philippians 2:2 NLT Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.