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Clearing the Way to Be Led by the Holy Spirit

July 9, 2012

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

TRANSFORMED. That word “transformed” in Romans 12 is the same Greek word metamorphoo, where we get the word “metamorphosis.” It’s the word we use to describe the change from a tadpole to a frog and from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Just like those creatures, we are also in the process of formation. And with God, the transformation is actually doable! When God calls us to something, He is at work in us to enable us to accomplish it (Philippians 2:13).

MIND RENEWAL. There is no substitute for the Word of God. The Word gets into your system and straightens out how you think. Next time you study the Bible, go to Romans 12 and meditate on this “change-of-mind” chapter. These 21 verses articulate ways to eliminate every blockage and hindrance. As we get our minds renewed, we’ll get calibrated, focused, and sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

BE AVAILABLE. God is looking for people who are available. Be like the prophet Isaiah, who said to the Lord, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). The most grievous times in my life have been when I resisted and didn’t follow through with what God was telling me. The best and most fulfilling things that have happened in my life have come from obeying the subtle promptings of the Holy Spirit!

PEOPLE NEED JESUS. Get radical about God-ideas on how to bless people around you. Send the text, pray the prayer, give the flowers, forgive, walk in love. As we daily stay available, we’ll be usable by God to produce really meaningful change. Acting on the verses of Romans 12 will keep you tuned in to the voice of the Holy Spirit to do what God has specifically designed you to accomplish.

God bless you!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.