16 September 2023 - Just Like Jesus

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Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 25–26, 2 Corinthians 9

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2

In 2014, biologists captured a pair of orange pygmy seahorses in the Philippines. They collected the marine creatures, along with a section of the orange coral sea fan they called home, for further study. Scientists wanted to know if the pygmy seahorses were born to match the colour of their parents or their environment. When the pygmy seahorses gave birth to dull brown babies, scientists placed a purple coral sea fan into the tank. The babies, whose parents were orange, changed their colour to match the purple sea fan. Due to their fragility by nature, their survival depends on their God-given ability to blend into their environment.

Blending-in is a useful defence mechanism in nature. However, God invites all people to receive salvation and stand out in the world by how we live. The apostle Paul urges believers in Jesus to honour God in every aspect of our lives, to worship Him by offering our bodies as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Due to our fragility as human beings affected by sin, our spiritual health as believers depends on the Holy Spirit “renewing” our minds and empowering us to avoid conforming to “the pattern of this world” that rejects God and glorifies sin (v. 2).

Blending into this world means living in opposition to the Scriptures. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can look and love just like Jesus!

Today's Scripture & Insight:
Paul wrote the book of Romans to believers in Jesus at Rome (Romans 1:7) to show that all human beings are sinners in need of salvation (chs. 1–3), what God did to save us, and how we can have a right relationship with Him (chs. 4–11). After explaining the theological foundations of the gospel (chs. 1–11), the apostle instructed believers in Christ how to live in a right relationship with God (chs. 12–16). The last four chapters provide a pattern of discipleship, teaching believers how to respond to God’s mercy and grace (12:1–2), how to use spiritual gifts (vv. 3–8), and how to relate to different people in the church and society (12:9–16:27). Though Jesus died to save us, God doesn’t demand that we die for Him. Rather, we’re to live for Him in His perfect will (12:1–2), in humility (v. 3), and in unity (vv. 4–8).

Reflect & Pray
How have you been blending into the world? How has God changed you?

Dear God, please make me more like Jesus each day.

 

[Yarboroh]

Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 25–26, 2 Corinthians 9

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2

In 2014, biologists captured a pair of orange pygmy seahorses in the Philippines. They collected the marine creatures, along with a section of the orange coral sea fan they called home, for further study. Scientists wanted to know if the pygmy seahorses were born to match the colour of their parents or their environment. When the pygmy seahorses gave birth to dull brown babies, scientists placed a purple coral sea fan into the tank. The babies, whose parents were orange, changed their colour to match the purple sea fan. Due to their fragility by nature, their survival depends on their God-given ability to blend into their environment.

Blending-in is a useful defence mechanism in nature. However, God invites all people to receive salvation and stand out in the world by how we live. The apostle Paul urges believers in Jesus to honour God in every aspect of our lives, to worship Him by offering our bodies as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Due to our fragility as human beings affected by sin, our spiritual health as believers depends on the Holy Spirit “renewing” our minds and empowering us to avoid conforming to “the pattern of this world” that rejects God and glorifies sin (v. 2).

Blending into this world means living in opposition to the Scriptures. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can look and love just like Jesus!

Today's Scripture & Insight:
Paul wrote the book of Romans to believers in Jesus at Rome (Romans 1:7) to show that all human beings are sinners in need of salvation (chs. 1–3), what God did to save us, and how we can have a right relationship with Him (chs. 4–11). After explaining the theological foundations of the gospel (chs. 1–11), the apostle instructed believers in Christ how to live in a right relationship with God (chs. 12–16). The last four chapters provide a pattern of discipleship, teaching believers how to respond to God’s mercy and grace (12:1–2), how to use spiritual gifts (vv. 3–8), and how to relate to different people in the church and society (12:9–16:27). Though Jesus died to save us, God doesn’t demand that we die for Him. Rather, we’re to live for Him in His perfect will (12:1–2), in humility (v. 3), and in unity (vv. 4–8).

Reflect & Pray
How have you been blending into the world? How has God changed you?

Dear God, please make me more like Jesus each day.

Praying for Iran to open more Christian churches and lost souls be saved and be on their way to heaven. Yes, we must be like Jesus, full of mercy and compassion for lost souls. Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, preaching the kingdom of God on earth and opening the gates of heaven so we can enter in. Blessed be the namd of the Lord our God.

 

[Veronicah]

Bible in a Year:
Proverbs 25–26, 2 Corinthians 9

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2

In 2014, biologists captured a pair of orange pygmy seahorses in the Philippines. They collected the marine creatures, along with a section of the orange coral sea fan they called home, for further study. Scientists wanted to know if the pygmy seahorses were born to match the colour of their parents or their environment. When the pygmy seahorses gave birth to dull brown babies, scientists placed a purple coral sea fan into the tank. The babies, whose parents were orange, changed their colour to match the purple sea fan. Due to their fragility by nature, their survival depends on their God-given ability to blend into their environment.

Blending-in is a useful defence mechanism in nature. However, God invites all people to receive salvation and stand out in the world by how we live. The apostle Paul urges believers in Jesus to honour God in every aspect of our lives, to worship Him by offering our bodies as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Due to our fragility as human beings affected by sin, our spiritual health as believers depends on the Holy Spirit “renewing” our minds and empowering us to avoid conforming to “the pattern of this world” that rejects God and glorifies sin (v. 2).

Blending into this world means living in opposition to the Scriptures. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can look and love just like Jesus!

Today's Scripture & Insight:
Paul wrote the book of Romans to believers in Jesus at Rome (Romans 1:7) to show that all human beings are sinners in need of salvation (chs. 1–3), what God did to save us, and how we can have a right relationship with Him (chs. 4–11). After explaining the theological foundations of the gospel (chs. 1–11), the apostle instructed believers in Christ how to live in a right relationship with God (chs. 12–16). The last four chapters provide a pattern of discipleship, teaching believers how to respond to God’s mercy and grace (12:1–2), how to use spiritual gifts (vv. 3–8), and how to relate to different people in the church and society (12:9–16:27). Though Jesus died to save us, God doesn’t demand that we die for Him. Rather, we’re to live for Him in His perfect will (12:1–2), in humility (v. 3), and in unity (vv. 4–8).

Reflect & Pray
How have you been blending into the world? How has God changed you?

Dear God, please make me more like Jesus each day.

Jesus in me the hope of glory. I want to see His smiling face at the gates of heaven welcoming me to enter into His glorious presence. O what a joy that will be when my Jesus I shall see.

 

[Willah]

Follow Me.. says the Lord. Let us all wake up and follow Him and obey His word. Jesus wants to bless our life.