Oct 24, 2008

Random Question ~ Take Your Pick

Random Question


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Happy Friday to you bloggy friends! It's time for our Random Question. I love giving people choices so today I'm letting you choose.

Romans 12:1-2 is packed with multiple bits of wisdom, instruction, and promises. Today I'm asking that you choose any part of this scripture and write about how it is speaking to your heart.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

God has put Romans 12:2 in my path several times these last couple of weeks. Today as I sat down to study my Bible, He sent me there again, only this time He had me include verse one. I broke down these scriptures and wrote out the definitions of each section as you see below.

  1. "In view of God's mercy" - Because God is merciful (takes pity on us.)
  2. "Offer your bodies" - Voluntarily give yourself, all of yourself.
  3. "As living sacrafices" - Releasing to God ALL rights to live my life as I choose, and accepting what God has chosen instead.
  4. "Holy and pleasing to God" - Pure, perfect, blameless.
  5. "This is your spiritual act of worship" - This is what it means to worship.
  6. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world" - Do not be shaped into the likeness of this world in your thinking, speech, or actions.
  7. "But be transformed" - Be changed into something completely different.
  8. "By the renewing of your mind" - By getting a new mind, or replenishing your mind.
  9. "Then you will be able to test" - Then you will be able to prove.
  10. "and approve" - And be in favorable agreement with.
  11. "What God's will is" - What God desires.
  12. "His good, pleasing, and perfect will" - The highest and best of what God desires that will bring Him pleasure.

As I wrote these out, God stopped me on number 3, "As living sacrafices" - Releasing to God ALL rights to live my life as I choose, and accepting what God has chosen instead.


Writing out the definition of a living sacrafice really makes an impact. Yes I've read that scripture before, lots of times. I've thought that I had offered myself as a living sacrafice, and yes in some ways I suppose I have ... a little. But it dawned on me as I wrote that definition that somewhere in the back of my mind I seemed to have this image of happily sitting on this alter with little or no discomfort. Oh, I've never actually believed that's what it was, but still that image was there.


Releasing to God ALL rights to live my life as I choose. Am I really willing to let go of all my rights, all of my dreams, all that I desire, and hand everything to Him no matter what He chooses to do with me? I have thought that I had done that before, more than once, but today He asked it of me. I chose to say YES to my God.


Now it's your turn. Is there something in these verses that speaks to your heart? Write about it on your blog then come back here and use Mr Linky to link to your post. To use Mr Linky, just fill in the field boxes and it will automatically link for you.



Edie




11 comments:

Pinkshoelady said...

Hi Edie,
I loved this question. It tied together for me several thoughts I have been having lately. Thanks for asking!

Love you girl!
Pamela

My ADHD Me said...

Going to babysit this morning. When I get back I'll see if I can figure out HTML ctrl+v....I think it's just a matter of following directions (uh oh).

Sorry you missed the family dinner. It was Oh So Fun! Can't wait for the next one...maybe you'll make it to that one. You better, because if you miss more than one in a row....our dad will start thinking you don't want to go.

Leaon Mary said...

Wooooh Edie,
This got me to thinking! Great scriptures here. CONVICTING as well! Definitely needed to read this today!
Tell Tobi "Good dog," for me!
Lea

The Equipped Life said...

Hi, Edie - managed to post Random Question before my computer totally froze up. I wasn't able to put the button in my post..??... all the garboldygook is there, it just doesn't show up in my blog.

Leaon Mary said...

Good morning Merry Edie,
How are you this beautiful day.
Thanks for a great question/inspiration today. I NEEDED THAT!
I've NOT been pleasing God in my body that's for sure.
Love Lea

debrah said...

Hey Edie
Great question...I copied the code for the button but didn't show when I pasted. Have a great week-end!
debrah

Tammy said...

My choices in the past have never been to good but this time I know I made the right choice.:)

Romans 12:1-3 helped me to understand what God had to gave,if I was willing surrender.

Thank you for willingness to offer scripture tags for our blog sites.
I just added one to my site.

Jennifer said...

I love those verses....Living sacrafices, huh?...What a concept. Like you, I knew what these verses meant, but the concept of truly handing it all over is a bit harder to grasp!...I want to thank you so much for your comments on my blogs!!! They truly are encouraging and I love to hear from you! Also, thanks for praying for me. It is the best feeling to know that people are lifting your needs to God!!

Heaven said...

Edie~
Thanks for your comment on my post. I definitely got your post when you talked about being one nation under God. The time is coming when He's gonna' say, "Fine, have it your way, but it's not going to be fun..." I can't imagine how grieved His heart must be over our nation. Anyway...

Loved your post. It brought another reminder of being a living sacrifice. Lately, I have been thinking of Moses when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac. The faith and obedience He had was incredible. When God asks us to do something for Him or give up something/someone for Him, His reward is so much greater than what we were holding onto. Blessings to you! Heaven

Elizabethd said...

Thank you for your visit. Your verses always speak to me whenever I read them. The temptation to conform is one that is encouraged in this day and age, we need to know ourselves for who we are in His eyes, not in the world's.

Kelly said...

Hi! I'm in. I posted early today, since I have alot to do tomorrow, so my Monday post is up.

Have a great evening!