Manna for Your Morning

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. — Romans 12:2 (NKJV) We often focus on changing our behavior, but real transformation starts on the inside. What we allow our minds to dwell on and what we let seep into our hearts determines our behavior. It's when we renew our mind by meditating on the Word of God and spend time with our heavenly Father, allowing His love to penetrate our hearts, that our thoughts, attitudes and behavior will change. Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT)

 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. — John 1:6-9 (NKJV) We also have been sent from God. May we, like John, live our lives in such a way that others may see our witness by our behavior, as well as hear it by the words that come out of our mouths. We can only do this by having the same mindset John had in John 3:30, where he says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Let Christ increase in our hearts and minds that we might bear witness of Him to a world that desperately needs to know Him.

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” — 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) As we continually hold in the forefront of our minds that God dwells in us and our bodies are His temple, I think we will be less likely to abuse our bodies with unhealthy or unholy habits. Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) As offspring of Almighty God, our speech and behavior should resemble His and not the world. Since we have the promise of His constant Presence, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spi...

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. — Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) We will experience lasting transformation when we truly worship God by surrendering all of our members to Him and continually renew our minds with His Word.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. — Acts 4:13 (GW) Does your behavior and speech reveal to others that you have been around Jesus? We tend to become like those we hang around. When you spend time with Jesus, you start to resemble Him. You may have received no formal training, but God generously gives wisdom to those who ask for it (James 1:5). The Lord takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. Spend quality time with the Lord, and those around you will be astonished and take note that you have been with Jesus!