3-28-18 The First 15

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The Weekly Overview
We serve a God of powerful transformations. All throughout Scripture God takes those whom the world deemed the lowest, the hopeless, and the helpless and uses them to change the world. You are not beyond transformation. God longs to break off that which inhibits you from experiencing fullness of life. He longs to heal you, deliver you, and set you free. May your life be forever changed as we spend time discovering God’s heart for transformation.
The Scripture
“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.”
-  Romans 12:1



The Devotional
Oftentimes we see transformation as a one-time act. We find a problem and work on it until it gets better, then we go back to living life as normal. But the heart of God is for continual transformation. God longs that we would be so open and aware of the desire of the Spirit that we allow him to transform us every moment of every day.

Too often we just accept that we are who we are as if the God we serve didn’t have the power to continually set us free. We live as if the Holy Spirit is a God who only shows up every now and then to shake things up then retreats back into the heavens. But God is both loving and present. He is always there for us. He is always filled with desire for us. And the Holy Spirit is constantly ready to lead us, in love, out of the darkness and into the marvelous light of abundant life.

So what does continual transformation look like? How do we live in sync with the Spirit who can constantly change us from the inside out? Romans 12:1 says, “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.” Continual transformation will come when we decide to stop living for ourselves and instead become a living sacrifice to God as our “holy, acceptable” act of “spiritual worship.”

You see, when we live for ourselves we naturally take control of our own lives and therefore subjugate God and his desire to transform us. When our limited perspective on what’s good in life guides us rather than the perfect, transcendent perspective of God, we will only receive transformation from God when we desperately need it. But, when we seek to be a living sacrifice to God at all times our hearts become open to all the Spirit is doing, saying, and feeling in every moment. If you want to be continually transformed by the powerful, life-changing love of God, you have to choose every day to center your life around the will and desires of God.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” May David’s prayer be our prayer today as we enter into a time of guided prayer.
The Prayer
1. Meditate on God’s heart to continually transform you. Reflect on his nearness and his desire to heal you, deliver you, and empower you.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save.” Zephaniah 3:17

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

2. Take a moment to assess your heart. Are you seeking to be a living sacrifice to God in all you do? Or are you living with your own desires and will as the foundation of your life?

3. Decide to be a living sacrifice today. Decide to live with the desires and will of God as your foundation. Center your life around the goodness, nearness, and power of your loving Father.

“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.” Romans 12:1
Choosing to be a living sacrifice is a daily decision. Without spending consistent time in God’s presence there is no hope for continual transformation. It’s only when we encounter the kindness of God that we are able to respond with surrender. It’s only upon meeting with God that we live with his power and love as our foundation. Living sacrificially is not something you do in your own strength. Rather, it is the natural response of those who see God for who he truly is. May you commit yourself to experience the reality of God’s presence today. And may your life be an act of worship in response to the great love you’ve been shown.
Extended Reading: Psalm 139

Craig DenisonCRAIG DENISON is the author and founder of First15, a daily devotional guiding tens of thousands of believers into a fresh experience with God's presence every day. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God.

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