BLOGGER TEMPLATES - TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Following God's Plan

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)


And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezekiel 36: 26-27)


Ezekiel prophesies that Israel would be restored as a nation and that they would return to the land of promise. Had Israel done something special? No. God had promised that a remnant would return to the land and represent God to the rest of the world. God made a covenant with Israel and God is a covenant-keeping God. As a result of Israel’s restoration they had a responsibility to proclaim the faithfulness of God by living out His will for their lives. Believers today have the same responsibility.


Like Israel, we represent God to the world. Like Israel, we must faithfully proclaim the covenant faithfulness of our God by dying to self and living for Christ. At the moment of regeneration (conversion) God gives us a new heart, and He places a new spirit within us. Our heart of stone, destroyed by sin, will be replaced with a heart of flesh. The “heart” and the “spirit” are the seats of thought and will be from which actions flow. Since our heart is dead to sin, it must be changed in order that our defiled will become a definite will from above. God will bring life and power to us, creating in us the will and the ability to follow God’s decrees.


Paul instructed the church at Rome to be transformed, which means to have their minds renewed, changed from one form to another. Notice that Paul does not talk about the receiving of information, but the process of transformation. It describes a change in appearance, character, and function. It is the will of God for all believers to be transformed in knowledge and behavior by the renewed mind – a daily renewal. Commenting on these verses John MacArthur states, “A committed and sacrificed life has the power to perceive what God’s will is. It is the knowledge and practice of the will of God that leads to spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian life. Ultimately, the will of God should be all that matters in a believer’s life.”


It is only when we entrust ourselves to God (living sacrifice), placing ourselves at His disposal, that we are able to yield to that which is good, acceptable, and perfect. In February 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team walked away with the gold medal while beating Goliath, the former Soviet Union. Before the team’s victory over the Russians that placed them in the finals, coach Herb Brooks told his players, “You are meant to be here at this time. This is your moment.” Well, you know the rest of the story.


Well, I am not your hockey coach and you won’t receive a gold medal, but you were meant to be here! This is your moment! You were created by God to declare the “excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness and placed you in the light.” You have a new heart, a new spirit, and a new direction. It has already been determined by God that you would forever proclaim His name. This is God’s will. This is your moment. Will you yield to the will of God that His glory might be proclaimed to all the earth. After all, a gold medal is nothing more than heavenly pavement. The crown of righteousness, on the other hand, is truly something precious!


Serving Him, Serving You,


Dr. Derek


PRAISE


Our “Honduras Yard Sale” was a great success. We raised over $8200.00. That will enable us to purchase the needed drugs and supplies for our medical mission trip, June 26 – July 3. This year we are taking the largest group ever – 49. Your support is an invaluable part of our efforts to proclaim the precious gospel of Christ to the wonderful people of Honduras.


I am also giving praise to the Lord today for the leadership of our deacons in our newly-developed “Gift Based Deacon Ministry.” To see all of our deacons and yokefellows last night so eager to minister to our church family excites me beyond words. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us as our deacon “servant leaders” set the example for us. Bill Norris is our deacon chairman. Great leadership, Bill.


Don’t forget that March 24 begins our new “children/youth” schedule under the leadership of Andy, Jerry, and Jay. The opportunities to reach more students and children than ever before is awesome. I am so pumped!

0 comments: