Words From The Word Of God
A topical, and expositional study from the Word of God, in order to Glorify and Exalt our Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; that we may reach the world with the Gospel, and grow in the Grace and knowledge of Him.. Grace and Peace to all, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(Isaiah 52:7) "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"(Isaiah 55 10-11) 10) "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:"11) "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(John 3:16)“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”(John 14:1-7) 1)"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."2)"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."3)"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."4)And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."5)"Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?"6)"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."7)"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."(Romans 10 :9-10;13) 9)"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."10)"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."13)"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
All Done For The Glory Of God and To Exalt Jesus Christ The Lord!!!
Words From The Word Of God
Embracing True Renewal: Repentance and the Holy Spirit’s Transformative Power
ROMANS 12:1-2
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-Chapter-12/
This episode invites listeners to replace fleeting New Year’s resolutions with true repentance and renewal, rooted in biblical principles and the transformative teachings of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2. We explore the meaning of living sacrifices, the importance of continuous inner transformation, and practical steps for fostering a life dedicated to God while emphasizing the empowering role of the Holy Spirit.
• Emphasis on the difference between resolutions and repentance
• The call for total surrender as living sacrifices
• Overview of the Apostle Paul’s messages in Romans
• Continuous transformation through renewal of the mind
• The importance of community and accountability in spiritual growth
• Practical steps for engaging in daily repentance and renewal
• The empowering role of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives
• Encouragement for a deeper commitment to God in the new year
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
If you haven't received Jesus Christ by Faith, as your personal Lord and Savior; I strongly encourage you to do so before it is eternally too late!!!
If you need someone to pray with you please feel free to contact us here at Words From The Word Of God!!!
Via:
Email: jeffthomas4Christ@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: (864) 309-9087
Hello and welcome to this another edition of Words from the Word of God. Thank you all so much for joining us for our last broadcast, our last message of the year 2024 as we prepare to enter into 2025. If the Lord tarries and doesn't rapture us out of here, or if we don't pass away before midnight, we will see the year 2025 enter in If you have the Word of God and you have access to it. I'd ask you to turn to the book of Romans, chapter 12. There we'll be looking at verses 1 and 2 today. The Word of God tells us there, in verse 1, he says I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. As we usher in a new year, many of us consider our spiritual life and are tempted to make what we know as resolutions promises to ourselves to do better, to be better or to live better. But I ask you this question how often do these resolutions quickly fade away? And when they fade away. They always leave us feeling defeated and unchanged. I invite you to do something with me this year, and do it unto the Lord. Instead of making resolutions that we can never keep, let us focus on something far more profound and transformative, and that is repentance and renewal, a few minutes into Romans, chapter 12, verses 1 and 2, and let us embrace the call to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.
Speaker 1:The apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans to a diverse audience of Jewish and Gentile or non-Jewish believers in Rome. The letter addresses key theological themes such as salvation, righteousness and the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here in Romans, chapter 12, paul transitions from the doctrinal teachings and truths to practical application or, as we would see it, life application. From teaching to life application, how we would apply it into our lives. He does this by first urging believers to live out their faith in a way that honors God. This passage, right here, emphasizes the importance of a life dedicated to God and characterized by the transformation and holiness that comes only through receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He begins here. In verse 20, he says I beseech ye, therefore, I beseech you therefore, in the biblical text therefore acts as a hinge linking the upcoming directive or exhortation back to the preceding teachings. In other words, in layman's terms, the therefore points everything in chapter 12 back to the teachings that Paul has been teaching from chapter 1 through chapter 11. It points us back to the previous scriptures.
Speaker 1:Paul's epistle to the Romans begins with a comprehensive exposition of human sinfulness. You will find that in chapters 1 through 3. Then he switches from that to justification by faith in chapters 4 and 5. Then the implications of salvation, chapters 6 through 8. And then finally, he focuses on God's righteousness in dealing with Israel in chapters 9-11.
Speaker 1:Here are some of the key points of what the Apostle Paul in the Word of God has covered up to this point here in chapter 12. The first one is human sinfulness and the need of a Savior or for salvation, the need for both. Paul highlights that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That is in Romans, chapter 3, verse 23. That verse sums up all three of the first chapters, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of god. We hear the word of god tell us that there is none righteous. No, not one.
Speaker 1:Then he goes on to justification by faith, beginning there in romans, chapter 3. He begins to talk about justification by faith through the blood of Christ and how we are justified by his resurrection and by his blood and his sacrifice. We are justified, but it is not by works, it is not by the law, it is by faith and faith alone. He uses Abraham as the exemplar of that fact in Romans, chapter 4, that Abraham was counted righteousness by his faith, not the work that he did. Not only that, but the third thing Paul talks about is life in the spirit. Paul explains the word of God, tells us how believers are dead to sin and alive to God and Christ, there in Romans, chapter 6. Then he moves on to tell us how life in the Spirit leads to freedom and sonship in Romans, chapter 8. Then he moves on to God's mercy and sovereignty, as God's word underscores his faithfulness to his promises to Israel, despite their heart of unbelief, emphasizing and I emphasize this, strongly emphasizing God's mercy to them and to us all.
Speaker 1:Given these rich theological foundations, the word of God here in chapter 12 exhorts us to respond in a manner fitting to the immense mercy God has shown, which in every way calls us to repentance and renewal, not just simple resolutions. The Apostle Paul says right here, in verse 1,. He says I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice. Paul begins with a heartfelt appeal urging us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. This phrase encompasses a total and I mean total surrender of our hearts, our physical being, our emotions and especially our spiritual selves to God, a total surrender. Unlike the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament, we are called to be a living sacrifice. This means we live this out in our life as the Spirit leads and guides us to do so, in our everyday walk, continuously offering ourselves in service to God. He says that it's holy and acceptable unto God.
Speaker 1:To be holy, or in other words sanctified, means to be set apart for God's purposes. Being holy involves living a life that reflects God's character and values, the ones that we see set forth by Christ in his life, lived here on earth to set the example for us. To live holy and being a holy living sacrifice means that our lives should be surrendered and dedicated to God in every way, striving, striving for purity and righteousness in all that we do. Remember the apostle Paul would write whether you eat or whether you drink or whatsoever you do, do it for the glory of god, to bring glory. In other words, do whatever you do every breath, deep word and action to bring glory unto god. Jesus said, when he talks about us being the salt of the earth and the light, that that that house that's lit to sit upon that hill. He says that they may see your words and glory by your Father, which is in heaven.
Speaker 1:We should live holy and acceptable unto God. That means we live according to his will. Therefore, we're bringing honor and glory unto his name when we live holy and living sacrifice. And our conversation here, our walk here, is completely aligned with his word, aligned with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and aligned with the teachings of our Lord and Savior, jesus Christ. When we say, when Paul, the word of God, says being acceptable unto God, this signifies that our lives are pleasing to him, when we live in accordance to his will, aligning our actions and our thoughts to his standards, which are set forth by none other than Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Speaker 1:But he goes on to give us another admonition. He says in verse 2, be not conformed to this world. Paul contrasts the conformity to the world with transformation through the renewal of the mind. Conforming to this world means adopting the values and behaviors. Conforming to this world means adopting the values and behaviors, the patterns and the morals of the secular culture and society that surround us. It involves being influenced by worldly desires and priorities rather than God's will. If you are claiming to be born again and you are living conformed to this world and there is no conviction from the Holy Spirit, you should be living that way and claiming to be saved. If you are truly saved, you should be the most miserable person in the world. You should not be able to sleep or eat because the Spirit is telling you what you're doing is wrong. You can come back, like the prodigal son. You can come back, but you must do it through repentance and renewal and that is by the Holy Spirit and he will direct you in that path that you would not be conformed to the world, but be transformed as we go into it right here, transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Speaker 1:Transformation Excuse me, transformation involves a deep inward change that aligns Now listen closely. It aligns our every thought, our every desire and our every action with God's will. And how can we know God's will by his word, and we'll get into that in just a moment. The renewing of our minds and we must understand this is not a one-time thing. It is a continuous process that happens as we immerse ourselves in God's word, seeking his guidance and asking and allowing. Seeking his guidance and asking and allowing, and remember what I just said allowing, asking and allowing the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, to shape our thinking. This renewal is essential for true repentance and renewal, as it enables us to break free from worldly influences and live in a way that honors God. What the world does, the society does now, should make us sick, it should offend us greatly and, yes, we should speak out about it, we should speak against it. But we must do it with the love of Christ and the light of Christ in our heart that we might share his gospel with them Instead of being a part of them. We are completely separated from them, living in accordance to God's word. But the only way you can know how to live according to God's will is to read and immerse yourself in his word, prayerfully, asking the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your hearts and your minds to see God's will and God's purposes for your life.
Speaker 1:Repentance and renewal versus resolutions what's the difference? What is the difference? What is the difference? Repentance, in the biblical context, involves a profound change of heart and mind turning away from sin and turning toward God. It's more than just feeling sorry for past actions, because we tend to do this with resolutions. Lord, I'm sorry, I lived that way last year and I really feel bad about that and I won't do it this year. I'm going to make a resolution that I will not do that this year. You're placing that upon yourself instead of asking God to take it. Repentance is turning from that. It includes genuine remorse, not just feeling bad about it, genuine remorse and a commitment to change and a desire to live according to God's will.
Speaker 1:Can believers repent? Very significant question. Absolutely, I say, and that's according to Scripture. Believers can and should repent. In fact, repentance is a fundamental aspect of our faith and practice. If you do not believe me, we must look at what the Bible says. Repentance is turning away. Not just feeling sorry, but turning away. Let's get some biblical basis for this.
Speaker 1:In the Old Testament, the prophets repeatedly called the people of Israel to repentance. For example, joel, chapter 2, verse 12 and 13,. God says turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning. So rend your hearts and not your garments. Repentance is not an outward change that brings about inward change. No, it's inward to the outward. What is in our heart is expressed through our mouth and through our actions and that should tell you who you belong to. If you're more conformed to the world and you're bringing forth that fruit of the world, then you might need to check up if you're claiming to be saved world, then you might need to check up. If you're claiming to be saved. But if you are saved, what you should do? And when you sin immediately upon the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which we'll get into his work in a moment you should bring that before the Lord and do like the children he was telling, the children of Israel rend your heart, tear your heart, not your clothes. Children of Israel, rend your heart, tear your heart, not your clothes. I want to see in your heart. I know your hearts. I try the reins of your heart. You cannot hide it from me. You might be hiding it from man, but you cannot hide it from me. We must go and it calls, the word of God calls us to repentance.
Speaker 1:In the New Testament, john the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministry with calls to repentance. That's in Matthew 3, 2 and 4, 17. The apostles continue this message, urging believers to repent and turn to God. Acts, chapter 3, verse 19. We must understand that repentance is an ongoing process. We must understand that repentance is an ongoing process.
Speaker 1:I read, and I can't remember exactly how it was phrased, but a man put on Facebook the other day, on social media. He said I don't understand how Christians say they're sinners saved by grace and I don't understand Christians that say they have sin in their life and that sometimes sin comes in and separates them from God. If we don't have the faith to believe that God can keep us from sin, then we're not saved. He said I just don't understand that, and I'm sure it was a different way. I can't remember exactly how he phrased it, but what he was saying was we can live sinless. We have the power of the holy spirit and we can live sinless. Well, to me that's against scripture, because it tells us repentance is not a one-time event but an ongoing process for believers.
Speaker 1:The apostle john writes this if you will turn with me to 1 John 1 John, chapter 1, let's go to 1 John, chapter 1, take me just a minute to get there. Turn with me. I want you to turn with me because I want you to see this If you know somebody that says that and believes that way, you must see this. If we can live sinlessless, why would the word of god say this to us? Let's let's look at it right here in verse six, chapter six of verse six of chapter one of first john.
Speaker 1:If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, his son, cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. That translates into lying to ourselves. And the truth, whose truth, god's truth, is not in us If we confess our sins. So if we can live sinless, why would God tell us, if we have sin, we can confess it, we can repent. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If and listen closely if we say that we have not sinned, we make him God who he's referring to God a liar, and his word is not in us.
Speaker 1:This verse highlights the continual need for believers to confess and seek forgiveness for the wrongs that we do. There is no way. There is one man that lived a sinless life and he was the God-man, and he is the God-man, jesus Christ, the Lord. He is the only one that lives sinless so he could die the blemish-free, sinless sacrifice to pay the sin debt of mankind in full. It is by his blood that we are washed from our sins. It is by his blood that we are continually washed from our sins.
Speaker 1:Paul would talk about the flesh warring against the spirit and the spirit warring against the flesh those are military terms there, as he uses it in the Greek language talks about them being entrenched against each other Remember in World War I, the trench warfare that went on, and he's talking about that and when the Romans would fight the Grecians and so on and so forth, they would entrench themselves and battle against one another constantly. That's what the apostle Paul is talking about when he says the flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. He says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, rulers of this evil world, this dark evil world, and so on and so forth. There is a spiritual battle going on for the souls of mankind. Peter would tell us that our enemy, satan, is like a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour. So don't tell me that we can live a sinless life, because if we could, why would the Lord God put that in his word? That if we do have sin, we can confess it and we could we confess it and turn from it. He is faithful and just forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Speaker 1:Why is repentance essential for our life? Number one it restores fellowship with God. Sin creates a barrier between us and God. Did you know that? It separates us from him. We separate ourselves from him. God doesn't change, god doesn't move. We remove ourselves from his presence when we choose to live in sin. But it is by repentance that helps us to be restored to that relationship that we once had with him. Not only that, repentance transforms life. Genuine repentance leads to transformed life, beginning and aligning more closely with God's will and his purpose for our life. Not only that, but it promotes spiritual growth. Regular repentance fosters spiritual growth, humility and dependence on God's grace.
Speaker 1:Do you not think that if we could help ourselves and make ourselves sinless, that we would not take pride in that, that we would not take pride in that, that we would not boast ourselves in that, well, I live a sinless life? And we would just look down at righteous nose and everyone else and say, how can you not be like me, how can you do that sin or this sin? And we would lose our dependence in our pride. We would lose our dependence upon the one that made it all possible, the power of God in Jesus Christ. We would lose that relationship because pride would get in the way human pride and we would no longer find ourselves being dependent upon God's amazing grace.
Speaker 1:Not only is repentance essential, but we must also consider renewal. Renewal in itself is also a continuous process of spiritual transformation. Listen, led by the Holy Spirit. Unlike temporary resolutions of self-improvement efforts, renewal brings about profound, lasting change in the believer's life. There are key aspects to renewal Daily surrender number one to renewal. Daily surrender number one.
Speaker 1:Renewal begins with daily commitment to surrender our will and our desires to God. That means we're surrendering our heart and our whole self. Do not draw close to him and praise him with your mouth and your lips and let your heart be far from him. Let your heart first be drawn to him and surrender to him, and that brings about the praise, that brings about the glory, that brings about the honor that he so deserves in our life. If we surrender our heart daily to him, it's an act of trust, acknowledging God's plans and purposes that are higher than our own. His will is higher than our will.
Speaker 1:Solomon would tell us in Proverbs 3, verse 5 and 6, trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not upon thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge him, surrender, acknowledge, acknowledge that he is sovereign in your life and he will direct your paths. Not only that, but we must seek God's guidance. Turn with me, if you will, to James, chapter 1, verse 5. Seeking God's guidance. We talk about wisdom. He said if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask God that giveth to all men liberally, freely, and unbraideth not, and it shall be given him. Unbraideth, that means he gives it freely and he holds none of it back.
Speaker 1:Seeking God's guidance and renewal involves actively seeking his wisdom through prayer and meditation, meditation upon what Upon his word, as we spend time in God's presence, in prayer and in his word, meditating upon his scripture, we become more attuned to his voice and direction. We become more in tune to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, shaped by not only that, but we are shaped by the word, the word of God. Allowing God's word to shape our thoughts and actions is crucial for renewal. Scripture provides the truth and the wisdom needed for us to have the transformation that we must have in our hearts, helping us to align our lives with God's principles. That's why the Apostle Paul writes there in verse 2, and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. That is the only way we can be perfect, and that word perfect is not sinless. That's mature. That is being a mature Christian growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, jesus Christ, and in the will of God, the Father. The only way we can do that is to understand, meditate, immerse ourselves in his word, prayerfully allowing and asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in our every step, in our every step.
Speaker 1:The role of the Holy Spirit is central to the process of renewal. Number one he brings about conviction and comfort. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Jesus promised this in John, chapter 16, of sin, because they believe not on me. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father and you see me. No more of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. The holy spirit will convict you.
Speaker 1:If you are drifting back into the world and you're being more and more conformed, you should have and hear the convicting of the holy spirit drawing you back, drawing you back to the word of god and prayer, drawing you back to repentance and renewal. And his power, his convicting power, will perform that work in your life. If we're left on our own, we would be right back in the world tomorrow, the next second. If we're left to ourself, we have been imparted. Jesus imparted his spirit into our hearts. The moment we received him through faith and repentance and had placed our faith in him, became saved, born again, born from above into the family of god.
Speaker 1:But, and not only that, but when we do sin and we come to him and we confess those sins, the holy spirit brings comfort that the blood of Christ has washed it all the way past, present and future. All we have to do is bring it before the Lord in confession repentance and turn from it. Don't be going feeling sorry for it and go and keep on doing it. No, that's not repentance. Repentance is saying Lord, I'm tired of this. I'm tired of this having rule and reign in my life. I want it to stop. Please help me, direct me in the way that I should go. Holy Spirit, lead and guide me in the path that leads me away from this continual sin, and you will see a transformation in your life. And he will bring comfort that that sin is forgiven and under the blood. Not only that, but he gives us empowerment, and that kind of goes hand in hand with what we just talked about.
Speaker 1:The Holy Spirit empowers us to live according to God's will and his word, providing the strength and guidance needed for daily challenges. Folks, we are in a war. Here on this earth, we are strangers and pilgrims. We are foreigners. We're not at home here. This world is not our home. Our home is with the Lord in heaven, but his spirit empowers us to overcome the things of this world. Jesus said we overcome because he overcome the world. He tells us his peace he lives with us, not the peace that the world gives. He said be not afraid, let your heart be not afraid, neither let it be excuse me, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid, for he's overcome the world and we've overcome, because we believe that he is the Son of God. And because we believe he is the Son of God, we have been and dwell with his spirit, and he empowers us to battle the battles, the spiritual battles that we fight. God goes before us and fights for us.
Speaker 1:Not only that, but the spirit brings about the fruit of the spirit. There's nine of them, as you find in Galatians 5, verse 22 and 23. As we yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we see his fruit come to pass in our life. It becomes very evident the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Those fruits become evident in our life. That's the power of the Holy Spirit. So I talk to you now about lasting change versus resolutions. The depth of change, renewal and repentance leads to a deep internal transformation, whereas resolutions often focus on external behavior. Divine power, repentance and renewal are powered by the Holy Spirit, not human effort alone, making it more sustainable and eternally effective. Not only that, but it's an ongoing process, as we talked about. Repentance and renewal are continuous and lifelong, whereas resolutions are typically short-term and often sadly abandoned.
Speaker 1:Folks, we are called by God's Word to live holy, to live in holiness. To holy means, as I said, to be set apart or sanctified for god's purposes. We are told in first peter, chapter 1, verse 15 and 16. But as he which hath called you to is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of your conversation. That means in your way of living, because it is written, our call to holiness is grounded in God's own holiness. And Jesus Christ, our Lord, is the living example of holiness and he has imparted his spirit to us, which empowers us and enables us to follow his example. Not only that are we called to live in wholeness, but we're called to live in purity.
Speaker 1:Turn with me again, if you will, to the first epistle of John, first John. I want you to turn to chapter three there with me, and I want you to read this with me, because we're expecting the return of Christ. I know every true born again believers like me. As 2025 draws near and we see God's prophetic timeline being fulfilled, we're expecting any moment now for the rapture of the church. We're expecting any moment for our Lord and Savior to come back and take us home.
Speaker 1:But considering that this is what the Apostle John writes in the third chapter of his first epistle. He says Behold, in verse 1, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew him not. They don't recognize us because we stand out, we're just strangers passing through. But listen, beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know. We know this. This is a hope that is an anchor to our soul. We know that when we, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, speaking of jesus christ, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope, that hope that is an anchor to our soul, where our souls are anchored in heaven with him. He says, every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. This underscores the importance of purity. Purifying ourselves involves actively removing sin from our lives and striving to live in a manner that reflects Christ's purity.
Speaker 1:Folks, that takes repentance, continual repentance and continual renewal. Continual renewal there are five practical things that we can do and steps that we can take for continual repentance and renewal. Number one is to pursue heavily, pursue prayer. Begin each day with prayer, seeking God's guidance for the day and strength for today. Prayer helps us stay connected to God and aligns our hearts with his will. Have you ever noticed, if you get up in the morning and you pray first thing when your feet hit the floor, the day goes a lot better than if you don't? I've noticed that, and not only that, but you sleep a lot better at night before you go to bed.
Speaker 1:If you pray before you go to sleep, I find oftentimes when I do that during the night, especially when I wake up I usually wake up around 1, 2, or 3, the Lord will put a scripture upon my heart as I pray to him. It doesn't have to be some long, drawn-out prayer or words, just to hear yourself talk. God knows your heart. Just talk to him like we're talking now. God will hear you and he will put something upon your heart that aligns our heart and your heart with his will. Not only that, but we must prioritize Scripture. We must immerse ourselves prayerfully in God's word regularly reading.
Speaker 1:And when I say reading, I'm not talking about just reading it and checking off a box on your calendar and say well, I read my chapter of the word of God today. No, pray before you even open the Bible and ask the Lord to show you something for that day. Show you something, teach you something, meditate upon that scripture that you're shown. Meditate it, meditate upon it and I assure you that you will find God's will and purpose for your heart and life. As you prioritize regularly reading and meditating upon scripture. It renews our minds and transforms our life.
Speaker 1:Not only that, but we must practice accountability. Surround yourself with brothers and sisters, fellow believers, who can encourage you and hold you accountable. You say what do you mean? It is nothing wrong. He says confess your sins one to another and pray for one another. That's what the word of God tells for one another. That's what the word of God tells us to do. That's accountability. We can support each other. Iron sharpens iron. We can bring up scripture. We can pray for a brother and sister that's having problems with a certain sin in their life. We can pray for them. We can uplift them. We can encourage them. We can pray for them. We can uplift them, we can encourage them, which Paul says we're to edify. That means to build each other up. We can build each other up instead of saying look at them, can you believe they're claiming to be a Christian and living like that. Instead of doing that, offer to pray for them and help them. Encourage them and build them up instead of tearing them down.
Speaker 1:Not only that, we must participate in worship, engage in regular worship, both individually and, if not, providentially hindered. You can't always be healthy enough to go to church, but you can find worship of the Lord in your own heart and in your own home. But if you can do it corporately, worshiping with other believers at the church, worshiping God keeps our focus on him and nurtures our relationship with him. Lastly, we must perform acts of service. Serve others selflessly, give of yourself to give to others, those in need. If you know you can do it, do it. If you do it, I promise you you will receive a blessing from it. The word of God and I don't promise that the word of God promises that Acts of service reflect Christ's light and love and help us live out our faith in a practical way.
Speaker 1:As we embark on this new year, let us move beyond fleeting resolution and embrace the transformative power of true repentance and renewal. By presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, we fulfill our reasonable service. It's a small sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. We fulfill our reasonable service. It's a small sacrifice compared to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. With that in mind, let us strive to be holy and pure as he is for he is holy purifying ourselves and living lives that reflect the light and love of Christ and his purity and his values and his character.
Speaker 1:I want to do something I've never done before. I want to invite each of you that are listening and I pray that you will share this message with many others that we might can get a group effort here. I want you to join me in making this profound commitment as we enter into this new year. If you are willing to present your body a living sacrifice and I've never done this before if you're willing to present your body a living sacrifice through repentance and renewal and embrace the steps of living a renewed life, I would love to hear from you, please. Please take a moment to respond, letting me know about your commitment.
Speaker 1:You can reach out to me via text, using the information that I'm getting ready to give you. Please text me, call me the information that I'm getting ready to give you. Please text me, call me. This is my cell phone number 864-309-9087. I'll repeat that 864-309-9087. If you go into our webpage and look at the bottom of our post of our episodes, you will find there is it says send me a text. There you can do it through Buzzsprout, our podcast recording platform, or you can contact me at Jeff Thomas, the number four christ, at yahoocom, or you can reach me on Facebook through Messenger.
Speaker 1:But if you want to take this journey with me through this new year, feel free to share any specific comments, prayers or ways you plan to embrace this renewal, and I'll be glad to do the same with you. Your response will not only encourage me but also allow us to support and pray for each other as we journey together in faith. Let us make this year transformative, one grounded in the love and grace of our Lord and Savior, jesus Christ. Together, we can uphold and encourage one another as we strive to live holy lives reflecting his purity, his holiness and love. I look forward to hearing from you and walking this path of renewal together and repentance.
Speaker 1:For those of you who have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I invite you this year, as we start this new year, it's the perfect time to make the most important decision of your life. Jesus offers a fresh start and a new beginning that you could never imagine, Something this world cannot give you, and that is eternal hope, joy and peace, and he can shed abroad his love, his grace and his mercy in your life. You first must acknowledge your need for a Savior. The Word of God tells us we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, and those sins have separated us from God. But he has provided the perfect way. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by me. Not only must you acknowledge your need for the Savior, but you must accept Jesus Christ and believe in him.
Speaker 1:Believe that Jesus is the Son, the son of god, the risen son of god, who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sins, rose again on the third day. His sacrifice provides the way for you to be forgiven. His blood can cleanse away all of your sin if you will only believe and receive him. The word of god says in john, chapter 1, verse 12. But Not only that, but you must affirm Jesus as Lord, confess your sins to God and ask it for history again. Invite Jesus into your heart and life as your personal Lord and Savior. Romans, chapter 10, verse 9, and I'll close here in just a moment says that if you shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus shall believe in thine heart that God had raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Additionally, romans 10.10 says for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Finally, romans 10.13 assures us and assures you, says for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If you have made this decision today, you invited Christ into your heart, you repented and confessed your sins to him.
Speaker 1:I would love to welcome you into the family of God and support you, along with the others, as we begin this journey of faith.
Speaker 1:As you begin this journey of faith, I would love to walk with you and talk with you and talk with you along the way. I'd like to thank each of you for considering this commitment. I know it's kind of strange to hear this, but I believe it's something that we need to do to build each other up, to come together in unity, despite our differences in denomination and all the other adversities that we have amongst each other and what separates us. Let's let's put all that aside and come together and live in repentance and renewal as we enter into this new year, living and moving forward with our faith, hope and love, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. May this new year be marked by a deeper commitment to God and a renewed sense of purpose in serving him. May God bless you abundantly in this coming new year. Thank you so much for joining me this evening. I look so forward to the next time that we can share in a word from the word of God. God bless you all.
