Devo for 06/01/2025 service- Message by Pastor Clint Sprague
Pastor Clint was back with week 17 of the series “The Way that Leads to Life”. The key verse for this Hike through the Sermon on the Mount is Matthew 7:13-14:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
The vital truth from that verse is that Salvation + Transformation = the Way to this Life that we are called to live. Salvation represents the beginning of our walk with Jesus down this narrow path; repentance starts us on the path to transformation.
I was drawn to a verse during the message as Pastor Clint spoke about repentance and transformation. I begin to think about how we get on paths that lead us away from God; paths that take us in unhealthy directions in our lives.
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
I began thinking about the word that Paul warns us about, conformed. In looking at this word, we see it defined in this verse this way:
To conform one’s self (i.e. one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, conform is defined this way:
“To act in accordance with prevailing standards”
As you can see in this verse, Paul’s warning is that we are not to change our minds or character so we fit in with what the world is telling us. To do so would put us in agreement with the rebellion against God that the world espouses. David Guzik puts it this way:
“The battleground between conforming to the world and being transformed is within the mind of the believer. Christians must think differently.”
This idea of thinking differently makes it very clear that conforming or transforming is a CHOICE. We have the power and authority to choose to do it God’s way.
So, the question is, are you conforming or transforming? In your life, are you conforming to the world, or are you looking at what the world gives you and choosing to renew your mind and be transformed into the man that God created you to be?
This is a good question to take to the Lord and ask him how you are doing. Because Paul is not only warning us about how we act at church or when we are around church people. He is challenging us to renew our minds in all areas of our lives!
Pastor Clint ended the message with three points that I believe will help us renew our minds:
Prioritize our time with Jesus
Feed on the Word of God
Embrace change that comes with the transformation of renewing our minds!
Don’t forget to invite God into your day!
Topic for Study -
Materialism
Matthew 6:24
1 Peter 5:2,3
Ecclesiastes 5:10
June Memory Verse:
James 1:12
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.