APRIL 29: Change the Way You Think
(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Romans 8:7-8 reads, For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
Let’s make this a little more understandable. ‘A mind that is set on Nigerian culture is hostile to other cultures/countries for it does not submit to their laws; indeed, it cannot. Those who are part of another culture cannot please his or her countrymen. We, however, do not belong to the culture we once lived in. We belong to a life-giving culture.’
Culture is all-encompassing, inescapable and part of every thought, emotion and decision. God wants His children to be encompassed by His culture so much so that it would automatically and reflexively affect every thought, emotion and decision. Becoming accustomed to a culture is trial-and-error, understanding your old perspective, and realizing a new perspective – it’s generally not easy. But for those people who live and learn that culture, pleasing God becomes easy, automatic and thoughtless – because that’s what culture is.
READING & JOURNALING:
Are you resistant to the idea that pleasing God could be easy? Do you see God as difficult to please?
What aspects of your culture – way of thinking, feeling and behaving – would you want to change for a better way of thinking, feeling and behaving?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank You for coming to earth to usher us into a new Kingdom and a new culture. Please help me to better understand what You think, and how and why it’s life-giving. I want to desire Your culture to be mine. As I pursue it, I ask that You would bless the pursuit and that this pursuit would be pleasing to God, with all the ups and downs it will undoubtedly bring. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.
Read: Matthew 6
Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.
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