It isn't about cool points.

Update: corrections in bold letters

Therefore, I urge you brothers [and sisters] in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing, to God - this is your spiritual worship. So do not conform any longer to the pattern of this age but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you can discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. By the grace given my I tell everyone among you to not think more highly of yourself than you should think. Instead think sensibly as God has given a measure of faith to every one. Romans 12:1-3

I realize you can't comment at the moment to tell me if I totally biffed that one up but I'll check it in the morning and let you know. :)

This morning I read the weekly devotion from Established Footsteps . It wasn't pretty.

"You see before Paul became a follower of Jesus he was a man definitely cut from the same pattern of this world. He was focused on self. His self focus was cloaked in a religious fervor but that fervor had little to do with the living God and much to do with a man determined to promote himself among religious circles. But through God’s grace, he had been changed."


I have to tell you that I'm super convicted by that statement. For years I struggled with feeling like I was a fraud as a Christ follower like the good Christ followers were going to find that out. God took me through a major transformation and helped me realize that we are all sinners so yes, Jesus had to die for me that I couldn't do it myself. I also finally had it sink in that it is the same for everyone else including all the big wigs like Billy Graham or Kay Aurthur and all those good looking cool Christ Followers I see at church. I still struggle with this time to time, afraid I'm failing or a bad witness. It is still something I give up to the Lord but He's working on me.

So I've plowed forward but leave one stronghold and Satan will work to get you into a new one. I know that I'm not Paul pre-Damascas but God definitely revealed in me this morning a place in me that could very easily become the "Hey look at me, I memorize chapters at a time." person. I don't want to be that person. Which is part of why there isn't going to be a place to comment for a while. In my "people pleaser" tendency I could try to impress people and then instead of wanting to no God more, I'm using Him for my own popularity. I don't want that. Hubby pointed out this morning that memorization may come easily for me but learning it doesn't. That is the real work. Scripture isn't a script where I quote for cool points, I memorize that it will sink in that much more through my thick skull. That isn't easy, its real work.

I am working to make sure what starts out as a toe hold that moves into a foothold doesn't become a stronghold. I heard that once and thought it sounded neat. I don't want to be held captive from the freedom I know in Christ by more lies from Satan. I'm thankful I have such an honest husband who can call me out on stuff like that. He and I have had some great conversations lately and God has used him, His Word and good friends to show me some areas in need of construction.

And all that from the very first bit of verse three, "For by the grace given me." I'm so thankful Paul is so upfront in his letters. I just met this evening with a dear friend who shared with me about a dear friend of hers who has been able to call her out or hold her accountable to different things and what a blessing that is. I have a dear friend who years ago that encouraged me to get rid of a pink dress of mine. It wasn't appropriate and she was lovingly honest and upfront. I never forgot that. I desire to have people in my life that God uses to call me out when I needed and I pray that when the time comes for God to use me in that way that I value that person more than myself enough to speak up just like Paul did to his fellow believers.

Thank God for God's grace. :)

Katie