Tag Archives: to offer your bodies as living sacrifices

Renewing Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - The Mind - Romans 12:1-2 - Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Mind – Romans 12:1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind- Growing As Disciples

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 (NIV)

Conformed Or Transformed

Let’s talk about your mind. I’m listening. Your mind is a battleground. How so? All that you think, say and do in life will be guided by your mind. There is not one thing that you have thought, said or done that hasn’t started in your mind. Your mind is being bombarded daily by all that is in the world. The world is continually trying to conform your heart, and mind and life according to its patterns and practices. If you do nothing at all you will think and speak and act like all those who are in the world. You will think worldly thoughts. You will speak worldly words. You will live a worldly life. None of this kind of living is pleasing to me. None of this kind of living is according to my will and my ways. This kind of thinking, speaking and living is the way of the world. I don’t want to live my life according to the patterns and practices of this world. I want to know and do your will. I want to live in ways that are pleasing to you. That’s good.

If you want to know and do my will then you must know my thoughts. How can I know your thoughts? You must meet with me in my word. My word will change your heart and transform your mind. You must meditate on my word day and night. You must let my word dwell in you richly. Instead of letting the world conform you, you must allow my word to transform you. My word will change the way that you think, speak and act. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will make you able to live in ways that are pleasing to me. That’s what I want. That is the desire of my heart.

How often do you think it would be good to meet with me in my word? How often do you want to grow in your knowing my will and walking in my ways? How often do you want to be made able to live in ways that are pleasing to me? How often is the world trying to conform you to according to its patterns and practices? There is one word that answers all of these questions. I want to meet with you in your word everyday. I want your word to be working in my heart and on my mind every day. That will be very good.

Lord, for so long my heart and mind were in the grip of this world as I was being conformed to its patterns, values, and practices. Thank you, for changing my heart and transforming mind by your word so I can know you and do your will. Amen

Key Question…  How has God used His word to transform your mind so you could know Him and do His will?

Living It Out…  Allow God’s word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will use His word to transform your mind so you will be able to know Him and do His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how God is helping you to both know Him and do His will.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to change your heart and transform your mind so you can know Him and do His will.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Mind – Romans 12-1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Do Not Conform

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The Virtuous Life - Day 194 - Romans 12:1-2 - Do Not Conform- Growing As Disciples

The Virtuous Life – Day 194 – Romans 12:1-2 – Do Not Conform- Growing As Disciples

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 (NIV)

Transformed

Is that what you would like? Is what would I like? Would you like to be transformed? Would you like to have a new mind? Would you like to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to me? Would you like to be able to know and do my will? Yes, I would like to be transformed. Yes, I would like to be able to know and do your will. Yes, I would like to think and speak and act in ways that are pleasing to you. Why do you have this desire in you? I have tasted of your kindness and mercy and love. Because of all that you have done for me, I now want to live my life with and for you. I would like to give myself completely to you as a living sacrifice, as a spiritual act of worship. I want to love and follow and serve you with all that is within me. That is very good. 

There is a problem. What is the problem? You live in a world filled with sin and darkness and evil. You are in danger, at all times, of being conformed to the pattern of the world. If you do nothing, you will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. If you allow yourself to be conformed to the world you will never be able to know and do my will. If you allow yourself to be conformed to the world, you will never life a life that is pleasing to me. Do you understand? A battle is constantly raging over your heart and mind. Yes, I understand. What must I do to have a transformed mind? You must allow me to use my word to transform your mind. You must take my word deeply into your heart and mind. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will make you able to think and speak and act in ways that please me. My word will prevent you from ever being conformed to this world. Will You take my word deeply into your heart and mind? Will you allow me to use my word to transform your mind. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I know this world is continually trying to conform me to its pattern. I know if I do nothing, I will think and speak and act like everyone else in the world. That is not going to happen. I will allow you to use your word to completely transform my mind. Amen

Key Question…  How is God’s word transforming your mind so that you can think, say, and do what is pleasing to Him?

Living It Out…  Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind so you can know and do God’s will.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that God will transform your mind so you can know and do His will.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are allowing God to use His word to transform your mind.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you not be conformed to this word but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

The Virtuous Life – Day 194- Romans 12-1-2 – Do Not Conform – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                                                        Copying not permitted                                                                                    www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Be Transformed

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God's Will - Romans 12:1-2 - Be Transformed - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God’s Will – Romans 12:1-2 – Be Transformed – Growing As Disciples

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 (NIV)

Stop And Start 

I want to present my entire being to you as an act of worship. I want to live my life in a way that is completely pleasing to you. I want to be able to know and do your will. I want to accomplish your purposes and plans. I don’t want my life to miss the mark. I don’t want to fall short of doing what you have planned for me to do for you. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom. I want to bring glory to your name. That’s very good.

How can I know and do your will? How can I live a life that is fully devoted to you? How can I present myself fully to you as an act of worship? Those are good questions. Why do you say that? By asking me your questions you are admitting to me that you need my help. That’s true. Only you can make me able to know and do your will. Only you can help me to live my life fully devoted to you as an act of worship. My own efforts will only result in miserable failure and certain defeat. I desperately need your help to live a life that is pleasing to you. Yes, you do. By asking me your questions you are also expressing faith that I will hear and answer your prayers. You do believe that there is way that I can and will help you to live a life that is fully devoted and pleasing to me. Yes, I do. That is very good.

To live your life as a living sacrifice that is fully devoted to me you must do two things. Just two things? Yes, just two things. You have my complete attention. What are these two things? You must stop letting the world conform you and start letting me transform you. How is the world trying to conform me? You tell me. The world and all that is in it is trying to mold and shape my life so that I think, speak and act like everyone else in the world. The world wants me to adopt all its values, patterns and practices. Everyday my heart and mind and life are being bombarded by everything that the world values. That’s right. How will I ever be able to be different from the world since I do live in it? You won’t without my help. The only way to stop letting the world conform you is by starting and continuing to let me transform you. How will you transform me? My process of transforming you started on the day that you asked me into your life as your Savior and Lord. On that day, I gave you a new heart and a new mind. I made you new in me. But, that was just the beginning. I want to make you new every day. I want to change your heart and transform your mind every day. How will you do that? I will use my word to change your heart and transform your mind. Instead of taking in all that the world is throwing at you, you must let my world dwell in you richly. You must meditate on my word day and night. You must come to meet with me in my word. Will you let my word change your heart and transform your mind? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I want a new heart and a new mind. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I want you to give me a new way of thinking so I can know and do your will. Use my entire being, all that I am and hope to be, as a spiritual act of worship. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

God’s Will – Romans 12-1-2 – Be Transformed – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Offer Your Bodies

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Therefore - Romans 12:1-2 - Offer Your Bodies - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Therefore – Romans 12:1-2 – Offer Your Bodies – Growing As Disciples

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 (NIV) 

Living Sacrifice

Do you want to know my good, perfect and pleasing will? Do you want to live your life in ways that please me? Yes, I want to know and do your will. I want to think your thoughts and walk in your ways. In every way I want to do what pleases you. Thinking my thoughts will make you able to walk in my ways. How can I think your thoughts? That is a very good question. Why is that? There is a battle going on over your heart and mind. You may be unaware of it, but it rages on nevertheless. I’m not exactly sure what you are talking about. Then, its time for you to know exactly what I am talking about. The world is bombarding your heart and mind with its values, patterns and practices. Up until now you have been allowing your heart and mind to conform to all that the world has to offer. You have been living according to the values, patterns and practices of this world. That is not good. Why is that? You tell me. The world’s values, patterns and practices stand in opposition to your will and your ways. That’s right. You cannot live in ways that please me if you allow yourself to continue to be conformed to the world. You cannot present yourself to me as a living sacrifice unless you allow me to change your heart and transform your mind.  

I want you to change my heart and transform my mind. How will you do that? I will change your heart and transform your mind as you do two things. First, you must give yourself fully to me. You must desire to leave the things of this world. You must not allow yourself to be conformed to the values, patterns and practices of the world. This will mean that you will need to take an inventory of your life. You will need to closely examine worldly influences over your life. You will need to separate yourself from these worldly influences. That sounds like it will be very difficult. It won’t be easy at first. If this were all you tried to do, it would be impossible. Your efforts would end in failure. What else do I need to do? You will need to meet with me in my word. My word will strengthen you. My word will change your heart. My word will transform your mind. As you meet with me in my word, it will become your desire to leave the things of the world. You will want to know my thoughts and walk in my ways. You will have great joy in presenting yourself to me as a living sacrifice. That’s exactly what I want. Yes, I know.

Lord, no longer do I want to live according to the patterns of this world. Instead I want to present myself to you as a living sacrifice so I can live in ways that please you. Use your word to transform my heart and mind so I will be able to know and do your will. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Therefore – Romans 12-1-2 – Offer Your Bodies – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

Renewing Of Your Mind

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Transformation - Romans 12:1-2 - Renewing Of Your Mind - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Transformation – Romans 12:1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – Growing As Disciples

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 (NIV)  

New Mind 

Are you weary of the thoughts that you have been thinking? Do you want to think new and different thoughts? Would you like to think higher and better thoughts? Do you want to leave your old life and its pathetic thoughts behind you? Do you know that it is your thoughts that will guide the entire course of your life? Everything that you think, say and do starts out as a thought in your mind. If you want to live a new and different life you will need to stop thinking old thoughts and start thinking new and different and higher and better thoughts. If you want your life to be fruitful and bring glory to my name you will need to think my thoughts. If you want to know and do my will you will need to know my thoughts and then put them into practice. So, what do you want your life to look like? How will the course of your life unfold? What thoughts will you think? What words will you speak? How will you feel? What will you do with your life? 

I will give my life to you. Only you can change my thoughts. Only you can transform and renew my mind. I can’t stop thinking old thoughts and start thinking new thoughts without your help. No, you cannot. Do you want my help? Will you ask for my help? Will you do what I ask of you when I show you how I will help you? What will you ask of me? What do you want me to do? If you want to think my thoughts and know and do my will you must come to meet with me in my word. It is my word that will transform and renew your mind. My word is the only tool that will renew and transform your mind. As you meditate on my word, my thoughts will push your old thoughts out of your mind. My word will make you able to know and do my will. My word will teach and train you. My word will guard and guide you. My word will sustain and strengthen you. My word will make you able to be fruitful and bring glory to my name. So, I will ask you again. Will you do what I ask of you? Will you come to meet with me in my word? Yes Lord, I will. Then you will have a new and transformed mind.

Lord, I give myself to you. All that I have, am, and hope to be is yours. Use all of me according to your purposes and plans. Transform and renew my mind with your word so I can think your thoughts and do your will for your glory. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Transformation – Romans 12-1-2 – Renewing Of Your Mind – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com