Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2001

Subject: Thinking and Knowing

Dear Ethan & Emily:

Christians everywhere say they are interested in “knowing God’s will for their lives.”  The Bible tells us that the “key” to this is that first we allow God to change the way we think.  And we change the way we think as we present our lives wholly to our Lord.  This involves sincere obedience and living a life that honors and gives praise to God.

Watch the progression in this passage in Romans 12: 1 – 2:  “…I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will accept.  When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don’t copy the behavior and customers of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.”

God reminds us in 1 Samuel 15: 22 that obedience is the kind of worship and praise that pleases God:  ” ‘What is more pleasing to the Lord; your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice?  Obedience is far better than sacrifice.  Listening to Him (and doing) is much better than offering the fat of rams.”

And in Psalm 51: 17, the psalmist remind us:  “The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit.  A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.” 

Hebrews brings praise into this concept of sacrifice:  “With Jesus’ help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of His name.  Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.”  Heb 13: 15 – 16

So, “knowing” God’s will is a very practical thing that God reveals to us through our thinking processes as we live our lives in daily obedience and praise.   Let God change your “thinking”….

Have a great day,

Dad