The Rundown
Recap:
Therefore, I urge you brothers [and sisters] in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing, to God - this is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
I learned through studying this verse that in Romans 11, Paul talks reveals to the Roman church body that their worship was based on ritual. This applies to us because we think if we go to church on Sunday and occasionally help in the nursery that, that is our worship and the rest of our life the rest of the time is ours. Paul explains that this is not so. As Establishing Footsteps explains, their worship became wooden, mechanical. Instead, Romans 12 goes on to explain how every single thing we do is an act of worship; doing my family's laundry, being hospitable to friend and foe, cleaning toilets, respecting bosses, raising your hands in song and lowering them to work along side a friend. Everything is to be done for the Lord. I've realized that God doesn't want this just for Himself out of arrogance but instead, as our Creator who knows us intimately, there are so many rewards and so much freedom in Romans 12 worship. I've struggled to apply it these last couple weeks and realize that regardless of my attitude, I still have to do laundry, clean the house and go to Wal-Mart. When I thank God along the way and purposefully do it for Him, my attitude and perspective changes. Slowly, but its changing. Right now I am working on giving up to Him my attitude, my selfish ambitions. I desire to make a commitment to controlling my tongue that the words I speak to Hubby be words that are respectful and edifying regardless of the circumstances. This is offering my body as a living sacrifice because my body includes my heart, my mind and my tongue.
So, no longer conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may be able to discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
I love how the message says it though I am memorising out of the Holman's translation, "Do not become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking." Oh what a struggle that is. I am a very visual person so I like to be surrounded by pretty whether it be my house, my clothes or whatever. It is easy for me to slip into the stronghold of wanting to look good and do it for the affirmation from those around me.
I recall growing up, my mom getting so frazzled before parties wanting everything to be perfect but always immediately enjoying herself when her guests arrived. I remember this so well because I do it also. I've thought on this and years ago, a Christian speaker, Joy Dunlap, explained to me how she goes into every room her guests will be in and prays for the interactions and relationships that will be in those rooms. I admit I don't do that consistently but the times that I have my anxiousness immediately evaporates and I can look forward to my guests with peace and excitement. My mind isn't focused on pleasing anyone but simply enjoying the blessings God will give us during our fellowship.
So, tell me, is following God more restrictive or more freeing? In my experience its been a heaven of a lot more freeing.
For by the grace given me, I tell everyone among you to not thing more highly of yourselves than you should think but instead think sensibly as God has given a measure of faith to everyone. Romans 12:3
Again, the Message says it in just the right way, "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. It's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and that we do for him”
Therefore, I urge you brothers [and sisters] in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing, to God - this is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
I learned through studying this verse that in Romans 11, Paul talks reveals to the Roman church body that their worship was based on ritual. This applies to us because we think if we go to church on Sunday and occasionally help in the nursery that, that is our worship and the rest of our life the rest of the time is ours. Paul explains that this is not so. As Establishing Footsteps explains, their worship became wooden, mechanical. Instead, Romans 12 goes on to explain how every single thing we do is an act of worship; doing my family's laundry, being hospitable to friend and foe, cleaning toilets, respecting bosses, raising your hands in song and lowering them to work along side a friend. Everything is to be done for the Lord. I've realized that God doesn't want this just for Himself out of arrogance but instead, as our Creator who knows us intimately, there are so many rewards and so much freedom in Romans 12 worship. I've struggled to apply it these last couple weeks and realize that regardless of my attitude, I still have to do laundry, clean the house and go to Wal-Mart. When I thank God along the way and purposefully do it for Him, my attitude and perspective changes. Slowly, but its changing. Right now I am working on giving up to Him my attitude, my selfish ambitions. I desire to make a commitment to controlling my tongue that the words I speak to Hubby be words that are respectful and edifying regardless of the circumstances. This is offering my body as a living sacrifice because my body includes my heart, my mind and my tongue.
So, no longer conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may be able to discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
I love how the message says it though I am memorising out of the Holman's translation, "Do not become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking." Oh what a struggle that is. I am a very visual person so I like to be surrounded by pretty whether it be my house, my clothes or whatever. It is easy for me to slip into the stronghold of wanting to look good and do it for the affirmation from those around me.
I recall growing up, my mom getting so frazzled before parties wanting everything to be perfect but always immediately enjoying herself when her guests arrived. I remember this so well because I do it also. I've thought on this and years ago, a Christian speaker, Joy Dunlap, explained to me how she goes into every room her guests will be in and prays for the interactions and relationships that will be in those rooms. I admit I don't do that consistently but the times that I have my anxiousness immediately evaporates and I can look forward to my guests with peace and excitement. My mind isn't focused on pleasing anyone but simply enjoying the blessings God will give us during our fellowship.
So, tell me, is following God more restrictive or more freeing? In my experience its been a heaven of a lot more freeing.
For by the grace given me, I tell everyone among you to not thing more highly of yourselves than you should think but instead think sensibly as God has given a measure of faith to everyone. Romans 12:3
Again, the Message says it in just the right way, "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. It's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and that we do for him”
Now you see why I'm not memorizing the Message version. lol That is a long verse. Still, it says it well.
I admit that this last week I was easily distracted. I knew when I started this journey Satan would attack me and boy has he! I've had such a spirit of anxiousness this last week. I worried about meeting deadlines, about unexpected things that popped up this week, plans changing, doctor's visits, you name it I fretted over it. I am thankful to the Lord for putting some amazing women in my life who were there for me yesterday. One listened with compassion. Another volunteered to watch Sarah while I worked to meet some deadlines. Still another gave me verbal smack down to just chill out. I am thankful to say that I'm chilling.
Back to the verse. Yes, I've thought quite highly of myself and am thankful that my relationship, scratch that, God's relationship with me is what in Hebrew is called hesed. God's relationship is a covenant relationship with love, mercy, grace, kindness and commitment. He won't leave me though I am constantly walking away from Him like a kid in a toy store.
For my DIY buddies out there, I am so so sorry there hasn't been any updates on the kitchen or my other projects. I promise, promise promise that next week I will deliver the goods. :)
In Him,
Katie
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