.jpg)
Mornings With Jesus
Mornings With Jesus
Breaking the Mold
What if the key to breaking free from the negativity that surrounds us is already within our reach? Romans 12:2 offers a powerful antidote to the world's pessimistic pull: "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
The familiar saying "misery loves company" rings true in our daily experience. Negativity seems to dominate our news feeds, conversations, and even our thoughts if we're not careful. But as followers of Christ, we're called to something different—a transformed mindset that refuses to join the downward spiral. Though we live in this world with all its challenges, our citizenship belongs elsewhere. This heavenly perspective changes everything about how we navigate life's difficulties.
God's desire for His children extends beyond eternal salvation. He wants to bless us now, providing glimpses of heaven on earth that both comfort us and attract others to the hope we carry. When we choose joy despite circumstances, speak life instead of death, and expect good things rather than doom, people notice. They may initially mock our positivity, but eventually, many become curious about the source of our unshakable hope. This creates natural opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those still trapped in negativity's grip. The simplest way to check whether you're conforming or transforming? Listen to what's coming out of your mouth—it reveals what's filling your heart. Ready to break the mold? Start today by intentionally shutting the door on negativity and choosing to think, speak and expect good things. Your transformed life might become someone else's first glimpse of Jesus.
Hello and welcome to Mornings with Jesus, your daily dose of encouragement. I am your host, joshua Scott Seitz. Today's encouragement comes from Romans, chapter 12 and verse 2. It reads and be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Speaker 0:I'm sure by now you've heard the phrase misery loves company, and oh, how true that is. We live in a world that just seems bent on the negative. Everywhere we look there's so much negativity, and if we aren't careful, even as Christians, we can build a habit of being negative about many things in our lives. I'm sure you've heard another old adage that goes something like this. Perhaps your parents used to say it If so-and-so jumps off a cliff, are you going to follow them? Listen, just because we live in this world of negativity, evil and vast godlessness, it doesn't mean that we have to join in. The great news is this we are in this world, but we are not of this world. We have our citizenship elsewhere in heaven. What does this mean for us in everyday life? This means that, no matter what we face on this earth, we have a hope and a future. We are on our way to heaven to spend eternity with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. However, our hope doesn't remain only in the sweet by and by. God wants to bless us now. He wants to provide us with a little bit of heaven on earth as well. Why is that? Well, first, because he loves his children and wants to bless them and take care of them. Secondly, when we are walking in the blessing of the Lord, others see it and they want what we have. Oh sure, at first they might ridicule you or even badmouth you for not joining in their negative, hell-bent ways, but eventually you will stand strong and refuse to conform, and if you'll do that, you'll break the mold. They will see Jesus in you and be drawn to what you have. This is when we, as Christians, are always to be ready to give an account for the hope that we have. This is when we have the opportunity to share Jesus with them.
Speaker 0:Be encouraged today, fellow saints. You don't have to be conformed to this world. In fact, the Lord highly discourages that. Instead, he encourages us to break the mold and live for him daily.
Speaker 0:Have you allowed negativity to trickle into your life in one way or another. Whether it's the news, politics, sports, health, church gossip it really doesn't matter. The enemy will use anything he can. Church gossip it really doesn't matter. The enemy will use anything he can to gain a foothold in our lives. Here's how to check yourself easily what's coming out of your mouth, what's coming out of your mouth on a regular basis, is what's in your heart. But don't be discouraged. Be encouraged. Take the next right step and begin today to slam shut any door of negativity tight. By doing this, you will not only break the mold from this world, but you will allow the Lord to shine brighter in your life. Come on, saints, let's get out there and spread the good news. Let's, on purpose, choose to buck this world's way of saying, doing and thinking. We serve an awesome God who is good all the time. I say it's time to think good things, speak good things and expect good things. Until next time, remember what you make happen for others, god will make happen for you.
