Thursday October 5, 2023

Today is Thursday, October 5 and we are studying what the Bible says about meekness.

I turn to the Lord my God and ask him to fulfill his plans and purposes for my upcoming day. I relinquish my cares, concerns and requests into his mighty hands and trust him with every detail of my comings and goings.

Pause and Pray

Father God, I worship you in the stillness of the dawning day and seek your abiding presence. Open the ears of my heart to receive the specific message you have for me this morning. Amen.

In the morning I seek God’s guidance for the upcoming day and praise him with the words of Psalm 25.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:8-9

Pause and Pray

In the book of Romans, Paul provides not only doctrinal teaching but also practical guidelines for Christian living. He offers particular advice on living in relationship with other people. These are guidelines for life together in Christian community. In community I am invited to use God’s gifts to build up others, live a life of love, use my Christian freedom compassionately and remain loving in disagreements with others. These issues remain vital in my life today. Paul urges me to remember God’s bountiful mercy and present my body as a living sacrifice surrendered to him.

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. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:2-3

As I offer my whole self on the altar of grace, I am invited into relationships with other Christians. I am not to be “conformed” to this world but “transformed.” To conform means to take the same shape as something else, to become like something. It means I allow the world to shape and form me. I do not want that. God has set me apart and God wants me to set boundaries with the world. Keeping my mind strong and clear about what God wants and expects me to live is extremely important because all sin begins in the mind. God wants to transform my mind into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Ask: In what circumstances am I allowing myself to be conformed to this world? In what circumstances am I allowing myself to be transformed to Christ-likeness?

Pause and Pray

Blessed and holy Lord Jesus, renew my mind in your grace and transform my heart in your love. Enable me to comprehend, test and approve what God’s good will is for my life. His will is pleasing and perfect. In my relationships and interactions with others, remind me to not think too highly about myself. Give me sober judgment and enable me to see myself as I truly am. I read the words from Romans again and listen for the message you have for me.

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. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:2-3

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I ruminate on these words of Paul’s letter, I consider the places where I am conformed and the places where I am transformed. What does God want to reveal about my current life’s practices? I consider the places where I might be thinking too highly of myself and also the places where I might be thinking too poorly of myself. Is my self-perspective formed by what the world around me says about me or what God says about me? Perhaps God wants me to see myself as he sees me, how I truly am. Maybe God wants me to see myself in relation to the people around me in a way that mutually honors both parties.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, shine your light upon the recesses of my soul. Reveal every way in me that is counter to your will. Renew and transform my mind and let your thoughts be my thoughts. Remove every crooked way within me and flood me with the purity of your truth. Help me see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly this day and always. Amen.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13

I leave this time of prayer praising God renewed in the love of Christ. I go to humbly serve my brothers and sisters in the community of faith.

Amen