Week 1: We Are Transformers

Word of the Week - Week 1

We are Transformers!!

The new year is here and as many other families, we have resolved to make a few small tweaks to our life to become closer with our Creator as well as each other.  One of those tweaks is to scripture memorization...so that's what we're doing.  This is our scripture for the week.

Scripture: 

Romans 12:2 -  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

As Mrs. Jones and I become older, we have realized one thing.  It is very hard to change an old mindset.  At the same time, it is the most essential thing that must be done in order to live a happy and fulfilling life.  Also, the changing of a mindset is the evidence of spiritual growth and maturity.  It means that you have made a conscious decision to be God and others centered as opposed to being self-centered.

Romans 12:2 offers a glimpse into the soul of every individual and admonishes us not to give in to the natural human condition of sin that begs us to conform to this world.  The world would love to shape us in a cocktail of greed, lust, envy and selfish ambition.  A world that requests that we get more money and spend more than we get.  To covet things that do not belong to us....Cars, Houses, Status, Spouses, Positions, Clothes, Shoes, Handbags, Jewelry etc.).  We could live out this life of sin in our sleep, it's so easy....right?

But on the other hand, God challenges us to transform our thinking.  Allow our minds to be infiltrated with fresh thoughts....His thoughts.  What kind of thoughts are His thoughts?  Glad you asked.  Thoughts about "whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (Philippians 4:8).  That to me means that I need to make a conscious attitude adjustment.  That I may need to grow up a little bit more, cause God knows I'm not all the way there.  That means that if I think too low of myself, I need to figure out what God thinks of me.  If I get glad about bad stuff, ala (See! That's what they get!), then I need to learn to be more gracious. If I don't treat my wife and kids with love and respect, then I need to identify the root of the emotions that keeps me from freely doing so.  And overall, I need to do a better job of loving people.

And in doing all this, this letting go of everything I ever knew and by replacing it with His wisdom and knowledge I find out something.  I find out the perfect will of God for my life.  I find out what Good and Acceptable behavior looks like.  And then, I get to reap the benefits of living a transformed life.

Many of the mistakes and hang-ups we have in our life stems from a faulty mindset.  If you suffer from a faulty mindset, making one bad decision after another, check out your circle of influence and the people you hang out with.  It might be time to hang out with some new people, to get into the Word of God and execute on what you've learned.

Be Transformed and Be Blessed and be Changed!