Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 Thought Of The Day... There are many ways to change things in your life. You can change your behavior by sheer determination, your relationships by seeking good counseling, your weight by following a diet. But there is only one way to change your spiritual life, and that is to renew your mind. We have talked about turning our eyes to Jesus. Of course, this refers not to our physical eyes but to our spiritual eyes, the eyes of faith, the eyes of our heart and mind. We turn our eyes upon Jesus by focusing our hearts on him. And that requires the renewing of our minds. If we truly desire spiritual renewal, we must be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind.” Now, Paul isn’t talking about positive thinking, or thought control, or all the current philosophical variations of “you are what you think.” He is talking about Christ. Look at the turn of his discussion in Romans 12: “Therefore, I urge you … in view of God’s mercy …” Paul has just filled several pages explaining how God’s mercy has come to us in Jesus Christ. And now, in view of all that, he urges us to be transformed by fixing our minds on Christ. In particular, fix your mind on Christ crucified and risen to victorious life. When your mind is filled with God’s power and wisdom in the cross of Christ, you will be changed into his likeness. Prayer... Heavenly Father, We come to you today with grateful hearts, asking for your guidance and wisdom. As we reflect on the words of Romans 12:2, we are reminded of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We ask that you help us clean out the attic of our minds, where old and musty ideas about ourselves and the world around us have taken root. These thoughts, rooted in fear, doubt, and negativity, have hindered our relationship with you and our understanding of your son, Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, we pray for a transformation of our minds. Help us to let go of these old ideas and replace them with fresh and new thoughts about your love, grace, and mercy. Open our hearts and minds to the truth of your Word and the example of Jesus. May we be renewed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we can fully embrace your plan and purpose for our lives. May we see ourselves as your beloved children, created in your image and called to live for your glory. We thank you for your unending love and grace, and we pray that your Holy Spirit will continue to guide and transform us each day. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen. Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless.