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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Metamorphosis and Renewal


As I study this verse, three things pop out at me immediately. This is an active verse, meaning we need to do something with it. According to the NIV 84 Life Application Study Bible, beginning in this chapter, Paul has moved from the theological advice he had given earlier, and moved onto practical advice for the believers, (and us today).

  • Do not CONFORM~ to give the same figure or appearance as (Vine's Expository Dictionary). Do not conform to what? According to this verse, we are not to give the same figure or appearance as the world. Look back at verse 1. Paul is telling us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God as our spiritual act of worship. According to the Life Application Bible, this is a daily laying aside of our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. I especially appreciated what was said on page 82 of Stressed-Less Living, where Tracie says, "The real peace comes when you make God the center of your life, instead of the last resort, and when you begin focusing on what God has called you to do, instead of what you have set out to do within the restrictions of your own agenda or skill set." The world tells us to seek refuge in other places, people and methods. God is calling us to peace. True and lasting peace. In fact, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29-30, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Why, oh why, do we add to that burden? Why do we add to His method?
  • Be TRANSFORMED~changed in form or external appearance; metamorphosed. (King James Dictionary). We all know what metamorphosis is from school, right? It conjures up the image of a butterfly, huh? A COMPLETE change from something icky and crawly, (sorry little caterpillar), into a beautiful butterfly. Get this image: a caterpillar stuck crawling on it's belly through dirt, dust, muck and grime. Chained by it's own limitations how far it can go because of the pace it crawls. CHANGED into a dazzling, beautiful butterfly. The once caterpillar can now spread it's wings and soar! It's free!! There are no limitations on it and it is a beautiful creature now. That is what the saving power of Jesus' death on the cross, then resurrection, did for us! It set us free! His Spirit lives within us to TRANSFORM us.





  • RENEW your mind~ making new again, repairing, re-establishing. (King James Dictionary). Renewing our minds is active! It is a process of repairing our minds. Our old thought patterns need to go! Philippians 4:6-8 gives us the 'prescription' for this. DON'T be anxious, PRAY with THANKSGIVING, PRESENT your requests to God, and then Paul tells us to 'focus' on several things. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. He tells us to meditate on these things. Really contemplate them. If we do that, if we focus on these things, we will have no room for worry or negativity. We can rejoice and be thankful. We start to see things differently--all of the blessings God has given us along the way.
These last four years have brought many trials and issues in our lives, but Psalm 34:19 assures me that God delivers us. Renewing our minds; contemplating/meditating on the Word of God brings about a new change in us. Metamorphosis.

 Psalm 1:2-3 assures us that if we meditate on His Word, we will be like a tree planted by the water. We WILL NOT wither. We must remember that Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. 

Lord, may I renew my mind daily. May I put my hope in you alone. Quiet my restless spirit beside the still waters. Forever yours~
Jennifer Newsom
Proverbs 31 Ministries
OBS Teaching/Executive Team









17 comments:

  1. Amen! God is always faithful, but He does require action on our part. Just like in Jerimiah 29 verse 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. But so many people stop there. Verse 12 says Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. Action on our part. Seek, Pray, Call on Me....He wants to be pursued, and when we do, he will listen and we will find Him and the hope that He promises.

    Thank you for your words.

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    1. YES, YES and YES Mindy!! Love that and thank you for sharing. We often gloss over those-the part that requires action.

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  2. I love it! It is so true, sharper than any double edged sword!

    Love you!
    Melissa

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  3. Great post Jennifer!! I am so thankful for the Lord's transforming power! I like what you said about how "old thought patterns need to go". That spoke to me this morning! Love you!!

    -Sue (OBS Leader)

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    1. Me too! Actually, my husband and I just had a LONG conversation about that tonight. This verse has impacted me more thank I knew...

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  4. Jennifer, this is beautiful. I am chewing on the part about how differently we lived when we crawled as opposed to being transformed into something that flies!

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    1. A pastor friend of mine always uses a caterpillar/butterfly analogy when he talks about us becoming a new creation in Christ. Really makes you think.

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  5. Beautiful post Jennifer. He is transforming us. I want to be as beautiful as that butterfly picture. Love you lady. Debbie W. (OBS Group Leader)

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  6. Beautiful! You have such a way of breaking things down. I am sure you are a great teacher!;)
    I like how we can click on a word ( like renew) and go to study light . How do you link that? I haven't used study light before but have been looking for a way to "research" more, while doing my verse mapping. I honestly get confused by all the options, dictionaries, concordances, monergisms? :)

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    1. Thank you! There is a link tool on blogs that allows you to 'link' whatever site you want. Take it slow and don't get overwhelmed! Start with a good dictionary to look words up. Matthew Henry is a good commentary as well.

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