Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:2

Hey, did you know there's a profound lesson in the Bible in the book of Romans, specifically Romans 12:2? It says, "And 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."

Not Conforming to This World

So, let's face it, the world we live in is full of endless distractions and temptations. It's easy to get swayed and be conformed to its ways. However, Romans 12:2 reminds us not to be.  This verse doesn't tell us to isolate ourselves from the world, but it calls for discernment in distinguishing worldly desires from what is truly Godly. It encourages us to not let worldly standards dictate how we live and who we should be.  Instead, we should live by God's standards.

Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

Now, this transformation the Bible speaks of starts from within – from the renewing of our minds. It means to change our mindset, our perspective, our attitudes, and our values according to God's will. This transformation isn't a one-off deal, it's a constant process. It calls for daily surrendering of ourselves to God, letting Him change us from the inside out.

Proving What the Will of God Is

As we go through this transformation, we start to understand and prove what the will of God is. We begin to discern what is "good and acceptable and perfect" in His sight. This doesn't mean we become perfect, but we strive to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. We start to make decisions not based on our own desires but based on His will.

That Which Is Good, Acceptable, and Perfect

What does it mean by "that which is good and acceptable and perfect"? It means living a life that is in line with God's standards – a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control according to another scripture found in Galatians 5:22-23.  It's about living a life not for ourselves, but for others and for God's glory. It's about seeking God's will in everything we do and striving to fulfill it.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Understanding and living out Romans 12:2 is a journey. It may be challenging at times, but it's definitely rewarding. It's a journey that leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose – a life that is good, acceptable, and pleasing to God.  

May you live abundantly in Him,

Tina

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2022 . . . Twenty-Twenty-Two . . . The fact that in just a few days, we will ring in the year 2022 is almost unbelievable, especially for someone like me who was born in 1969.  Wow, that makes me feel so old.  I'm looking forward to the new year though.  The past two years have taken their toll on all of us in one way or another.  When we rang in the year 2020, most of us had no idea what the next few months would bring.  When we realized we were in a global pandemic, most of us had no idea it would last 6 months, let alone years.  Yet here we are, still in it.  It has been tough.  Some of us have lost loved ones.  Some have lost jobs.  If we all think about it, we have probably all lost something due to the global pandemic of the past two years.  But, we have also gained.  We have spent more time at home with our families.  Many have found a faith in God that they didn't have before the 2020 pandemic.  COVID19 will forever be a word or term that will usher up all sorts of emotions in all of us.  But there is another Word that will always speak truth to our hearts, God's Word.  Let's take a look at the truth found in the Bible and keep in our hearts these Bible verses for the new year, 2022.

Bible Verses for the New Year, 2022 - Image Credit:  Ben White - Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

Bible Verses for the New Year, 2022

1.  So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

2.  Seek the Lord and His strength.  Seek His face continually.  Remember His wonderful deeds that He has done, His marvels and the judgements from His mouth.  1 Chronicles 16:11-12

3.  That in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.  Ephesians 4:22-24

4.  The Lord's acts of mercy indeed do not end for His compassions do not fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion says my soul.  Therefore I wait for Him.  Lamentations 3:22-24

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5.  Certainly there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.  Proverbs 23:18

6.  Do not call to mind the former things or consider things of the past.  Behold, I am going to do something new.  Now, it will spring up.  Will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.  Isaiah 43:18-19

7.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3

8.  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation.  Old things have passed away.  Behold, new things have come.  2 Corinthians 5:17

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9.  And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Romans 5:5

10.  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

11.  But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.  My God will hear me.  Micah 7:7

12.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

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13.  Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.  They will mount up with wings like eagles.  They will run and not get tired.  They will walk and not become weary.  Isaiah 40:31

14.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

15.  Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.  I will press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

16.  There is an appointed time for everything .  And there is a time for every matter under Heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

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17.  Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.  Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.  Psalm 96:1-3

18.  Look among the nations!  Watch!  Be horrified!  Be frightened and speechless!  For I am accomplishing a work in your days - You would not believe it even if you were told.  Habakkuk 1:5

19.  For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more important than they?  Matthew 6:25-26

20.  Know that Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves: We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless his name.  Psalm 100:3-4

21.  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  James 1:17

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22.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these thins.  Philippians 4:6-8

I hope these verses will get you off to a great new beginning for a great new year.  Happy New Year everyone.  May many blessings come your way from January all the way into December in 2022.

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20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

We have been living through a pandemic for a whole year.  For almost 13 months, we've seen news updates about the pandemic which always spark debates because this thing has everyone in a tizzy.  The politics surrounding the pandemic is unbelievable and opinions stretch as far right and as far left as you can possibly get. There aren't a whole lot of people like me in the middle just trying to do the right thing.  There are a lot of other things in the news these days that also might add to our anxious thoughts.  If the COVID-19 pandemic or anything else going on in your life has you feeling anxious, let me encourage you to turn off the TV, get off of social media, set some time aside, and turn to the only One who can ease your anxiety.  I know you're busy.  Everybody is busy doing something but resolve to set aside some time, whether it be 15 minutes or 2 hours.  Just unplug, take a deep breath, and open up your Bible.  Take a few minutes to consider the following Bible verses to combat anxiety.  Read them.  Study them.  Meditate on them.  Underline them in your Bible or highlight them with your favorite color highlighter.  Come back to them again and again and again.  God is the only real source of relief and peace during turbulent times.  Turn your eyes, your heart, and your mind to Him and to Him alone so that you can leave your anxious thoughts at the feet of Jesus and find true peace over your situations.

Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

1. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. - Psalm 94:19

2. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. - Proverbs 12:25

3. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17

4. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8

5. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7

6. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

7. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

8. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

9. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

10. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22

11. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

12. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. - Luke 12:22

13. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4

14. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

15. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

16. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30

17. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

18. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

19. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

20. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

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20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

Christ removed our guilt.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Christ Removed Our Guilt.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.  

Guilt can be a good thing.  It can make us realize a wrong we've done, resulting in an appropriate apology or a change of behavior, but guilt can also be a bad thing.  Sometimes guilt can be used against us.  The enemy (the devil) can use guilt to make us feel unworthy and worthless.  Moms and dads often hold onto guilt.  They live by it.  They are labeled by it.  But, as Christ-followers, we don't live as guilty anymore.  Don't let the enemy hold you hostage to your guilt.  Christ came to remove our guilt.

Christ Removed Our Guilt

How do we get out of guilt and shame?  Consider the acronym OUT.

O - Own your sin.

We must own our sin.  We have all sinned.  

For all saved sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23

God already knows how sinful we are. He knows it all, including our deepest, darkest sins and secrets. And you know what? He loves us anyway.

U - Understand justification.

When you are saved you are justified.being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished. - Romans 3:24-25

Christ took our punishment.  We are declared "not guilty."  Justification means you live as if you are innocent.  

Satan will condemn us.

Others will condemn us.

We will condemn ourselves.

God does not condemn us.

My pastor mentions something I've never thought about until now.  What if Paul's victims, those he murdered, cheered for him as he entered Heaven?  Have you ever thought about that?  Wow, what a picture I have in my head about this!

Consider another statement made by my pastor.

Jesus became who we are so that we can become who He is.  Another WOW moment!

Jesus is our advocate.  We are righteous children of God.

For the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. - Romans 3:26

ALL who come to Jesus are justified.

It is because we are saved that we do good works, not the other way around.

T - Trust Christ.

We must trust Christ.  We don't get to Heaven because we are good.  We don't get to Heaven because of who our parents or grandparents are.  We get to Heaven by trusting Jesus alone.

Do you need to trust Jesus today?  Here's how.

Are you living with guilt today?  

Everything you could ever do—everything you have ever done—is nailed to the cross.  

Jesus does not condemn.

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Christ Removed Our Guilt

Becoming a World Changer in a World in Need of Change (Step Up Series)

 

Becoming a World Changer in a World in Need of Change

We are, as Christ followers, called to do great things.  If we don't step up and into God's calling, we are going to miss out on His blessings.  Christ raised us up and He wants us to step up to always walk with Him.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. - Colossians 2:6

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "World Changer."  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 

 

To recap our 2021 focus:

In 2021, I am going to step up by making Christ first, walking banded together, advancing as a force multiplier, and sacrificing as a world changer. 

 

Becoming a World Changer in a World in Need of Change

Christ First

I put Christ first by studying God's Word.

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And 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 12:1-2

Banded Together

I band with others in authentic relationships, through valleys and victories, for the joy of doing life together.

So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. - Romans 12:5

Force Multiplier

I make disciples to multiply gospel impact, launching them to disciple others.

However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith. - Romans 12:6

A spiritual gift is whatever God wants to do in the world through His church.

World Changer

I will change the world by shining the light of Jesus to every person, culture, and cause.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they had entered the city, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying, that is, Peter, John, James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. - Acts 1:12-14

The world has yet to see what God can do with a person who is fully consecrated to Him.  By God's help, I aim to be that one. - D.L. Moody

 

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Our world needs change.  As Christ followers, we are called to be world changers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” - Romans 12:14-20

Imagine how we could change the world for the better if we all, as Christ followers, would step up and live out God's truth.  This means shining the light of Jesus to every person, culture, and cause.  We CAN change the world.  

 

God has placed you in the neighborhood where you live, in the job you are in, in the school you attend, and in the places where you go.  These are the places where you (and me) are to step up.

 

How do we bless people where we live, work, and play?  Consider the following acronym. 

 

B - Begin with prayer.

L - Love and listen.

E - Eat (Invite your neighbors and coworkers to dinner.)

S - Serve them.

S - Share the Gospel with them.

 

When we step up, God shows up! 

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Becoming a World Changer in a World in Need of Change

8 Ways to be Banded Together as Christ Followers (Step Up Series)

8 Ways to Be Banded Together as Christ Followers

Today, we continue our Step Up series with my pastor's sermon titled "Banded Together."  

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. - Colossians 2:6-7

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Banded Together."

Banded Together

God is building us up and establishing in the faith.  If Christ is first in my life, I will want to spend time with Him.

Two things you can't do alone:

1.  Be married

2.  Be a Christian

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. - Romans 12:3

Thinking you can do it all is arrogance.  We need each other.  We are a unified body of Chris,t but we are all different.

For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. ⁶ However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith. - Romans 12:4-6

Desiring relationships with others is not neediness or weakness.   

What does it mean to be banded together?  Being banded together means we are together on the mountaintops and when we are down in the valleys. 

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8 Ways to Be Banded Together as Christ Followers

1.  Genuine Love

We will have a genuine love for one another.  This is a love without hypocrisy.  We must be accurate and authentic with each other.

2.  Discerning Love

This is not a mushy love.  This is not a soft love.  A discerning love is not afraid to call out sin.

3.  Devoted Love

A devoted love is not a love based on attraction.  A devoted love is an unconditional love.

4.  Honor one another.

Behave respectfully with one another.  Pursue what is best for others even when it is not the best for you.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4

5.  Serve together.

We have a shared mission and a shared vision.  We should be burdened that our friends, neighbors, and family members do not have a relationship with Jesus.  

6.  Perseverance

We might feel helpless, but we are never hopeless.  Be consistent in prayer.  

7.  Generosity and Hospitality

Look for opportunities to bless others.  Show hospitality without grumbling.

Be hospitable to one another without complaint. - 1 Peter 4:9

8.  Graciousness 

When someone else's "ship comes in," rejoice with them.  When the ship sinks, weep with them.  

Be humble.  

Walk in humility.  

Pride can keep us from being banded together.  We are all fellow strugglers.  

Stay humble.  

Don't be fearful.  

Step up.  

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Banded Together as Christ Followers

Jesus Was Baptized (Jesus Habits Series): 5 Reasons for Baptism

We are continuing our series titled "Jesus Habits."  We all develop habits.  Some are good and some are not so good.  Some habits are down right bad.  As Christ followers, we should try to follow the example of Jesus as closely as possible.  Today's habit topic is baptism.  Jesus was baptized.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Jesus Was Baptized

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. ¹⁶ After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism is not a sacrament. Baptism is a Biblical command.   

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. - Acts 2:41

But when they believed Philip as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. - Acts 8:12

Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household; and many of the Corinthians, as they listened to Paul, were believing and being baptized. - Acts 18:8

Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name. - Acts 22:16

The Biblical order is this:  Faith first, then baptism.

Baptism doesn't save you.  Faith saves you.  You can go to Heaven without baptism, but you can't go to Heaven without faith.

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Reasons for Baptism

1.  Jesus was baptized.  We should follow His example.

Jesus was not a sinner.  He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.  He was an example for us. 

Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? - Luke 6:46

Surrendered obedience is the mark of true belief.

2.  Baptism gives you an opportunity to identify publicly with Jesus.

Baptism is an expression of faith to the world.

3.  Baptism allows you to experience cleansing of sin.

Only faith can cleanse, but baptism is the public symbol of what has already happened.  Only the shed blood of Jesus can cleanse you.

4.  Baptism marks a new beginning in your life.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? ² Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:1-4

5.  Baptism bands believers together as Christ followers.  

Baptism is an act of obedience in response to faith in Christ Jesus. 

The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. - Mark 16:16

Jesus was baptized.  5 Reasons for Baptism

Jesus Was Missional (Jesus Habits Series)

Jesus was missional.  We should be missional like Jesus was.

For the past few weeks at my church, we've been talking about habits.  Habits can determine the course of our lives.  Bad habits will lead us down a destructive path.  Good habits will improve our quality of life.  There is no way human beings can live a life filled with nothing but good habits.  Truth be told, we all have bad habits we need to change.  However, there was one man who lived a perfect life.  He had no bad habits at all.  His name was and is Jesus.  As Christ followers, we should desire to copy the habits of Jesus (we are calling them Jesus habits).  We have learned that Jesus prayed.  Jesus worshiped.  Jesus was relational.  Jesus was generous.  Today, we learn that Jesus was missional.  

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Jesus Was Missional

If your life is overcome with bad habits, you don't have to stay that way.  The gospel of Jesus is powerful enough to change your bad habits.  When the gospel changes your habits, your whole life changes. 

Our pastor mentions in the video above that one bad habit is wasting time.  One reason for wasting time is not knowing your life's mission or purpose.  Sometimes we know our life's mission or purpose, but we are afraid to take that step. 

I'm not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter. - William Carey

Jesus never wasted time.  Jesus rested, slept, enjoyed meals, and spent time with friends, but He wasted no time fulfilling His mission.  Jesus was missional.

What was Jesus' mission?

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. - Luke 19:10

Jesus never strayed from His mission.

As followers of Jesus, His mission is our mission. 

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be to you; just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." - John 20:21

Are you a follower of Jesus?  If your answer is "yes," then His mission is your mission.  If your answer is "no," then learn more about how you can have a relationship with Jesus here.

 

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Let's take a look at Luke 19:1-10.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² And there was a man called by the name f Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. ³ Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature. ⁴ So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see Him, because He was about to pass through that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷ When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!” ⁸ But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much.” ⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” - Luke 19:1-10

Take not of three missional words at the end of the above passage:  Seek, Save, Lost.

Have you ever been lost?  You can be lost and not look like you are lost.  Zacchaeus did not look lost, but he was.  He thought he was somebody important, but there was a void in his life.  Zacchaeus fell short of the glory of God.  We are told in Romans 3:23 that we ALL fall short of the glory of God.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23

Like Zacchaeus, many of us think we are "OK with God" or that we are "righteous enough."  Like Zacchaeus, we might appear to "have it all," but instead be empty.  

 

Guess what?  You might think you are seeking Jesus, but Jesus is seeking you.  Like Christ came to Zacchaeus, He comes to you.  God wants to spend time with you. 

When Jesus saves you, He changes everything about you.

Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy.  Salvation is a relationship with Jesus.  When we receive His love, forgiveness, joy, and peace, our hearts change.

Do you need a change in your heart?  Do you need new good habits?  Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost.  His mission is to seek and save you.

If you are already a Christ follower, then you have been found so that you can find others.  You have been loved so that you can love others.  You have been changed so that you can become a change agent in the lives of others. 

PIN ME!

How to Be Missional Like Jesus Was