Still in Romans...who knew?

8/20/2012

0 Comments

 
"I appeal to you brothers, by the mercies of Dad, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to HIM, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of HIM, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Rom 12:1-2

A verse that most of us have memorized but if we are really honest, that is as far as it goes. Romans 12 is the beginning of Paul teaching the Romans how to apply the past 11 chapters of pure True Doctrine. It might be smart for us to allow these words to sink deep into our hearts and transform us.

Our Father expects us to be transformed people! I remember back in the day, there were these awesome toys to play with called transformers; one minute they were a tank and the next minute a large person/robot/thingy. I think I had a couple of hand me down transformers and loved them! And now that they have made several movies about them, they are making a comeback! The change from car to robot/person was obvious. No way to miss that transformation. His Word says, "Kendall, be different, have different values, joys, hopes, and dreams than the pattern of this world."

I wonder sometimes if other people would know that I am a Chrstn just by dealing with me? They should and I should really work at submitting myself to His Authority and allowing Him to transform me. I pry that today we are all transformed into more of His Likeness by the renewing of our minds and looking at things through His Eyes not our own eyes of flesh!

0 Comments

A Little Piper for you...

8/5/2012

0 Comments

 
As I study and spend time in His Presence, HE lead me to this article by Piper and it absolutely encouraged me! I pry that it does the same for you, who still read this!

Why Was Jesus Unintimidated by Pilate?
by John Piper 

Ponder with me the lesson of Pilate’s authority over Jesus.

Pilate said to Jesus, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:10–11)

Pilate's authority to crucify Jesus did not intimidate Jesus.

Why not?

Not because Pilate was lying. Not because he didn’t have authority to crucify Jesus. He did.

Rather this authority did not intimidate Jesus because it was derivative. Jesus said, “It was given to you from above.” Which means it is really authoritative. Not less. But more.

So how is this not intimidating? Pilate not only has authority to kill Jesus. But he has God-given authority to kill him.

This does not intimidate Jesus because Pilate’s authority over Jesus is subordinate to God’s authority over Pilate. Jesus gets his comfort at this moment not because Pilate’s will is powerless, but because Pilate’s will is guided. Not because Jesus isn’t in the hands of Pilate’s fear, but because Pilate is in the hands of Jesus’s Father.

Which means that our comfort comes not from the powerlessness of our enemies, but from our Father’s sovereign rule over their power. This is the point of Romans 8:25–37. Tribulation and distress and persecution and famine and nakedness and danger and sword cannot separate us from Christ because “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35–37).

Pilate (and all Jesus’s adversaries — and ours) meant it for evil. But God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). All Jesus’s enemies gathered together with their God-given authority “to do whatever God’s hand and God’s plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:28). They sinned. But through their sinning God saved.

Therefore, do not be intimidated by your adversaries who can only kill the body. Not only because this is all they can do (Luke 12:4), but also because it is done under the watchful hand of your Father.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6–7).

Pilate has authority. Herod has authority. Soldiers have authority. Satan has authority. But none is independent. All their authority is derivative. All of it is subordinate to God’s will. Fear not. You are precious to your sovereign Father. Far more precious than the unforgotten birds.

0 Comments