Transformation Time (VOG-Week 2.4)

Welcome back to the  “Discerning the Voice of God”study.  I hope this study is giving you a desire to understand the Holy Spirit who indwells us.  The lessons are short but I hope you are praying and meditating on each one and what God wants to say to you throughout the content.

In the first part of the study Priscilla Shirer talks about how important it is to offer our bodies as “a living and HOLY sacrifice” to the Lord. This is part of our transformation to Christlikeness.  In Session One she spoke of how our soul is made up of our mind, will, and emotions. When our spirit is saved our soul is not saved at the same time . Paul gave us the greatest description of the struggle between our flesh and our spirit in Romans 7:14.  Will we ever be free of this? Not really, at least not in this life. But we can strive to live a Holy existence as opposed to an unholy existence and as we ask the Holy Spirit to show us the areas that need transformation, then as we hear it, we are accountable to work towards eliminating those things in our life that do not agree with the Word and the character of God. In the Matthew Henry Commentary I thought this was an interesting statement on Romans 6:13:

But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist their motions, earnestly striving, that, through Divine grace, they may not prevail in this mortal state.

After reading this, “presenting our body as a living and Holy sacrifice” makes a little more sense to me and I hope for you.  Why is it so important?  Because we are here on this earth for only one purpose and that is to glorify God in all we do, say, and even see so that we may be used by Him.

You might do a little inventory for one day and listen to yourself and what you are saying, note what you are watching,and what are your activities. Our daily goal should be the continuous renewing of our mind, will, and emotions. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed by it but just honestly and freely present your body to Him in prayer and deed and trust Him to enable you to do the work that is needed in order for you to be changed from the inside out.

Prayer Request

Father God, we know that our flesh wars with our spirit but the Word says that the victory has already been given. Lord, give us the desire for more intense study in your word—more self examination of our soul so we can do as James 1:21 says—to put aside anything that is not of you. The world calls it an attitude change, Lord, but you call it transformation.  We know Lord we can still be used by you as we are being transformed because of your grace and mercy and we thank you for that Lord. What you ask for is a pure heart. Thank you for this study and the women who are taking the time to learn how to hear from you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Quotes by Priscilla Shirer

• Give your hands to Him for His work, your feet to walk his path, and your ears to hear him speak.
• Our spirits were reborn when we received Christ, but our souls need to be renewed.
• Often the Spirit’s leading will contradict our logic and feelings; but when we submit, we will experience a deep-rooted peace about our decision.
• As the Spirit conforms us into the image of Christ, the gap between His desires and ours narrows.

Today’s Scripture Verses – (NASB)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

…present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:13

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:57

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thes 2:13

Let’s Talk About It

I have heard Billy Graham say many times that things we loved before we were saved  we will begin to hate after we’re saved.  That’s what I call the transformation. That comes as you begin to read the Word and find out what God says.  It’s may not be an immediate thing but something you’ve seen change in you as time has passed and you’ve gotten to know the Word of God more and spent more time getting to know God’s character. Have you had an opinion change that you know is a direct result of  transformation in you?

Discerning His voice,

Charmaine