Out of This World!!

            In an effort to simplify shopping for Christmas gifts for our nine children, I adopted my daughter’s family tradition of three gifts for each child: one need, one want, and one spiritual gift.  (If your jaw dropped when you read that I have nine children, let me clarify. I birthed only three that grew up and married. Then one, so far, has birthed three of her own, totaling nine. Just a forewarning to young families: children grow up and multiply!) So over the fall months, I prepared a forty-day devotional for our family as their spiritual Christmas present.

            A benefit of this family devotional has been that, everyday, it puts us all on the same "page”. Here's one of those pages:

I.          Read the verse of the day:

“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)

           

           

II.        Thought for the day:

           

            The ways of the world and the ways of God are completely opposite. The world says be first; Jesus says be last. The world says be served; God says be a servant. The world says eat, drink, and be happy; Jesus says to abide in Him, His Word, and His love and be filled with joy. The world says use debt to get more; God says to owe no man anything and be content with what you have. The world says you can do anything you set your mind to; Jesus says that without Him we can do nothing but through Him we can do all things. The world says get even; Jesus says to forgive and love. The world loves the darkness; God loves the light. Today, God offers you the secret to being transformed: let Him renew your mind and change the way you think.

           

III.       Application:

1.              Name your daily activities that are God-like:___________________________________

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2.              Name your daily activities that are world-like: _________________________________

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3.              If your life were put on trial, what evidence could eyewitnesses give that would convict you of being a Christian? _________________________________________________

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IV.       Your prayer for the day:  Lord Jesus, please ________________________________________

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V.        Mama/Miss Jill/Memaw’s prayer for you today: 

O Father, I pray in Jesus name that ________________(your name) will not be conformed to the ways of this world in any respect but will be transformed by the renewing of his/her mind so he/she will know what Your will good, acceptable and perfect will is! In Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen.