God has really been speaking to me through my pastor the last couple weeks. Here are some of my notes from his sermon on January 2, 2013...
His first message was about Transformation.
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to
put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;" Ephesians 4:22-23
He was talking about transformation, the Greek word is Metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o:
to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.) We should be passionate about our transformation, we should to have a healthy spiritual renewal.
1. Think progress not perfection. That was a light bulb moment for me. I tend to not start things because I know I won't do it perfectly. I never think, "This is all a progress." I should have a sign that says, "I am a WORK IN PROGRESS!!"
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Philippians 3:12
2. Think Future not Past. I may not of made great choices yesterday, but I do have tomorrow. In the area of diet, which is where I am right now, I may not have made the best choice for breakfast, but I can do better at lunch or dinner.
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
3. Think Together not Alone. We should be in small groups, bible study. We should have people of accountability.
"not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
We should have regular bible reading time, Worshiping God for who He is.
"Do it yourself stop waiting for others." Dave Stone
I had already started an accountability group with some other ladies to help each of us with our weight lose journey, this just confirmed we are doing it the right way. We not only encourage each other with what we eat and how much we are moving, but with a bible reading and our prayer lives. It is invaluable!!
4. Think God's Spirit, not Your Willpower. I really liked this one. I know that I am weak, very weak to be honest, when it comes to food. I have to listen to the Holy Spirit when I start to eat something I shouldn't. Sometimes we actually argue, but I need to let the Spirit win!!
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." Galatians 5:16-17
We should live by God's Spirit in our prayer time, worship time, alone time. We should read God's Word.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3
"Put ourselves in a position of transformation by God's power. I can't, He can, I think I'll let Him!!" Dave Stone
What a great way to start a new year. Focusing on God and trying to stay Heavenly Minded.
If you want to take a look at his sermon here is the link to the podcast.
Is it fair to say that, in the end, the change that is good is a change that comes from within, and for the good, rather than from without, and towards that which is either not good or not true to our self? Thanks for sharing.
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