Today in worship we sang these words, “No doubt restrains all you are, the greatness of our God.” This truth struck me as we sang it … our doubts do not change who God is, nor do our doubts limit his work in our world. All of us experience doubts of various sorts. We do well if we bring our doubts to Him, the God of the Universe! If you are curious about our God, check out this website, and even better, come worship with us! Austin churches have joined together for the next several weeks to explore God!
Our pastor finished up a short series on transformation. You may be able to change your behavior, but you cannot change your heart. Mankind proposes reformation; God says we must be transformed … from the inside out! Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)
From his notes he shared, genuine heart change …
- Begins and ends with faith … he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
- Involves a spiritual battle … for our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God … (Ephesians 6:12-13)
- Flows out of what God has done for us … 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)
- Avoids spiritual counterfeits … we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14)
- Is a moment by moment process … because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22 – 23)
- Involves healthy doses of community, word, and Spirit! … let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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 10:24 -25)
Spiritual maturity is a collaborative effort. Obviously we need to study the Word and talk to the Father on our own … but we must also join with other believers. Proverbs 27:17 says, As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Join a community of believers, find a like-minded friend at work with whom you can discuss the Scriptures, invite your neighbors to study the Bible with you.
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
