Conformity or Transformation?

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV.

conformity 1

We live in the world were acceptance of another is important too many. Studies have been conducted proving that people have a tenancy to lean towards a particular point of view because the majority adhere to it. The idea that just because a majority believe in something does not necessarily make it right or truthful or the best approach.

This world’s system (governments, business, education, culture, etc.) naturally operate apart from God’s best.  When God is left out of any equation the outcome is generally a feeble attempt toward excellence. When we compare the natural created order with man-made systems, we have a long way to go. God’s created order, unless interrupted by man’s touch, is built on a natural process of inter-dependency, self-renewal, and non-prejudicial growth.

God is in the business of making everything good: good for you, me, and others. God doesn’t make junk. He makes unique masterpieces of art that scientifically functions and serves a purpose for the benefit of others.

He is also in the business of restoration. He takes what is broken and transforms it into His original intent.  Whether we are speaking about one of His adopted children, or His ultimate goal for heaven and earth, He has a multi-dimensional plan that involves the entire universe.

When we try to conform to the world around us, we close the door to allow God’s best. However, when we are open to His influence, discipline, and knowledge, He slowly renews our perception of Him and His ways that opens paths toward a more fulfilling life.

How many times have you driven by the same corner without noticing the sign in the store front window? Then one day, there it is. It’s been there for years but you just never noticed it because you weren’t looking. You weren’t looking because no one brought it to your attention. What made the sign so important to you then and not before? Maybe the sign advertised what you have been looking for in all the wrong places. And there it is; the answer you have been seeking.

Don’t seek to conform to this world’s ways. Instead allow the Triune God to morph your thinking towards His worldview. When you begin to see the world like He does, you will see, hear, touch, and smell things like never before. Your only complaint is you wish you could have started earlier in life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

 

 

 

The Honorable Choice

“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value”. Proverbs 8:10 NIV.

 

honorable choice 1A


 

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

What criteria do you base your choice on?

Experience? Values? Desired Outcome?

 

When the decision impacts the life of people, do you take the easy way out or the more challenging route? Do you make the effort to take the more honorable path or simply the road that makes you feel better?

For example, when you come to a fork in the road with another person, how do you deal with it? The person may deserve the full repertoire of your worldly arsenal for total annihilation, but is that required at this time? The Godly choice would be to speak words that build up, encourage, and empower the person to a more fruitful life. But what will you do?

One question that seems to appear for me during these moments that you may also want to include in your arsenal of personal tools is, “What is the most honorable thing I can do at this time?”

Your answer will lead you to reply, act, and leave the scene with a more positive impact than what you most likely would have otherwise done. In fact, by being led with God’s heart, mind, and Spirit, you will most likely make a transformational impact into the life of another as a witness for His glory.

  1. May seem simple. But the outcome are typically the type of scenes that the movie industry likes to capture for their audience. Why? Because it is unnatural for the human heart to behave in such a fashion. But saintly behavior is next to godliness and therefore shines in a world of darkness.

So next time you find yourself at the prism of the choice between two paths, choose wisely. Choose the more honorable way.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!

 

Truth and Love

“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.” 2 JN. 1:3 NIV.

lovetruth 9

We all argue over what is Truth. Than we also have different images of what is Love. If the starting point of knowing either comes solely from human history or philosophy, then we may as well continue to argue and live in disarray. However, if our basis of Truth and Love is found solely in the God of Jesus Christ, then maybe there is hope for everyone.

Truth and Love go together like peanut butter and jam, man and woman, and fish and water. When emphasized separately, one will lean in one direction or the other. Then typically, the outcome is like fish without water.

To do something out of Love without concern with reality leads to disorder and eventually disharmony with the order of creation. To do something based on Truth without Love toward others is likewise throwing the baby out with the bath water. Only when Truth and Love are looked at together does one view reality through the eyes of the creator of reality: the Triune God.

When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord in our life, the joining of us with Him becomes a reality. He begins to transform our thoughts and thinking by shaping our worldview to be more like His. Throughout Scripture we come across examples of how Jesus dealt with a conflicting matter. To those who emphasized love, he raised the issue of Truth. For those who challenged the Truth, He questioned the motive of their hearts. He would constantly then, and even now, view a situation from both perspectives.

What makes the real Christian walk so dynamic is He lives within us via the Holy Spirit extending the same principles in our life today. His life is built on Truth and Love. He extends the same to us and more so leads us to do the same with others. So when we find ourselves leaning one way or the other, maybe we need to take a timeout and ask Him to clarify the situation. Again, we may find ourselves pleasantly surprised by the Truthful and Loving answer. Unless of course we don’t want to know His answer, but just continue living our rebellious way and always wondering in hindsight what if we took the high row and Trusted Him in the matter back then – what would be different now?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Does a Friend Need Encouragement…Share Today’s Message!