If you lived in a third-world country on a middle-class American income, you'd feel rich. However, if you moved into an upper-class neighborhood in the States, you'd feel poor.
Our environment affects our perspective, our thinking, and our values.
Watch enough TV and you'll begin to think that God's loving commands are outdated and irrelevant.
Read enough fashion magazines and you'll redefine modesty.
Hear enough profanities on the radio and you'll begin to sing along.
Our values are influenced by:
1. Our friendships – 1 Corinthians 15:33
2. Our priorities – Galatians 6:7-8
3. The truths we dwell on – Colossians 3:16; Matthew 4:4
The Bible calls us to be transformers, not conformers: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
How about you—are you conforming or transforming?
Psalm 128:1: "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him."
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For more on this important subject, see:
Transforming Our Deformed Minds
Bible Love Notes
I also encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
Bible Love Notes
Amen
ReplyDeleteSo very true, thanks for the breath of fresh air that came with this post.
ReplyDeleteYou've read my mind. How I pray for my family to know these things themselves. Amen. Thank you for this post! Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteAs I walk deeper into God's truths, I'm finally able to say that I am no longer conforming to the world. And I pray that God keeps me on the straight and narrow until it's time to go home.
ReplyDeleteYes, Gail, it's a process for sure. I have to regularly evaluate things in my life to keep from conforming to the world, but it's a wonderful thing to see progress, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteit is very true.thank you for this daily devotion.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteI hate it when people around me tell me I shouldn't say who I am and especially as a Christian. So many ready to try to make me feel guilty for talking about Jesus , say that that's offensive and intolerant. Wow, talk about intolerance! Someone telling me how to introduce myself , what I can say about myself . Crazy
ReplyDeleteAmen to that thanks for the reminder, because sometimes while trying to explain there truths to the people I love I feel as if I live in a world where I am as I have been called an old spenster but the reality is the truth is very old and it never changes even if our morals and values change we should remember God never changes and he will never forsake us that's true love
ReplyDeleteRefreshing to hear the truth!
ReplyDeleteI love this
ReplyDeleteThe first couple of replays I read today explained how I'm really feeling right now and that is knowing and doing are way harder than it seems please pray for me that I have the courage NOT TO CONFORM.....
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU
Windy,
DeleteGod wants to give you His strength - Philippians 4:13. I pray you will receive that strength and the joy that comes with it as you "transform." God bless you.
Amen.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to just follow the pattern of the world. But as Children of the True Living God, as Beleivers in Christ, We must take the path less traveled and follow the Lord that is the only way to true fulfillment and life everlasting.
Gail, Thank you for sharing your Bible knowledge... I am curious...is your ministry to teach women (and perhaps youth) or do you aim to teach men as well? How do you interpret scriptures that address that?
ReplyDeleteHi Christians Girl,
DeleteI am a conservative "complementarian" meaning that while men and women are equal in God's eyes, I believe that the Bible teaches that God has placed the husband in authority in the home and the role of pastors is reserved for men.
When I started writing my blog, I considered it a blog for women, but I soon realized I was acquiring male readers. That's partly because most of my devotions are applicable to both sexes, not just women. I would estimate that I have 75% female readers and 25% male readers.
There may be strict complementarians who feel it's wrong to read books or articles by women, but most complementarians would not agree. A woman exercises no authority over a man when he reads a book or a devotion. In addition, any man who reads my devotions does so voluntarily. In my case, my husband is very involved in my online ministry. I often ask his advice, and He approves of what I write.
Tim Challis, a conservative complementarian says, "There are probably some men out there who will not read any book by any woman. If that’s the case, I don’t think they rightly understand complementarian theology. And if that’s the case, I also don’t know any of them. The men I know are very willing to read books by women." (https://www.challies.com/articles/why-arent-men-reading-women-writers/)
To answer your question: I write what I feel God leads me to write and I let Him determine my readers. I hope that helps you understand where I'm coming from.