Today's Scripture:
Psalm 139, Romans 12:1-2

Key Verses:
Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

The Point:

A Thriving Heart is Open to Transformation

God desires honesty and truth in the deepest parts of our being. An open heart invites Him to examine our motives, desires, and secret thoughts. This openness allows God to reveal areas that need cleansing, healing, and transformation. Today's Key Verses (Psalm 139:23-24 quoted above) end with "lead me in the way everlasting." The way everlasting involves transformation! God leads us through transformation by using His Word to inspire us to submit to the leadership of His Holy Spirit in the dedication of our bodies, minds, and lives to Him. During this process we also learn discernment as we "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Take a few minutes to read and meditate on Psalm 139, then follow the exercise below based on Romans 12:1-2.

Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Transformation is letting God have access to every part of ourselves to perform the metamorphosis we need to become more like Jesus Christ! The problem comes when we only halfway submit ourselves to God's plan.

Dedicate Our Bodies: (Romans 12:1) This is presentation of our body.
"ye present your bodies a living sacrifice"

• Our presentation must be a willing sacrifice: (1 Peter 1:3)
• Our presentation must be Holy: (1 Peter 1:15-16) (Romans 6:12-13)
• Our presentation must be acceptable, reasonable: (1 Cor 6:20) (1 Pet 1:18-19)

Dedicate Our Minds: (Romans 12:2) This is renewal of our mind.
"be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,"

• Transformed: (Proverbs 23:7) (Proverbs 4:23)
• Renewing: (Psalms 139:23-24) (Hebrews 4:12)

Dedicate Our Lives: (Romans 12:2) This is conforming our lives to the life of Christ.
"And be not conformed to this world:"

• Conformed: (1 John 2:15) (2 Timothy 3:2-5)
• God’s design: (Ephesians 4:31-32) (1 John 4:20)

Discerning God's Direction: (Romans 12:2) This is learning self-awareness and submission to God’s will.
"that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

• Acceptable self-assessment (Romans 12:3)
• Submission to the will of God: (1 Peter 4:1-2)

Revival begins with transparency before God. We must be willing to let Him uncover what is hidden, and purify our hearts. When we embrace His searchlight, we can walk in freedom and authenticity, knowing He loves us fully and desires our growth.

Answer the following Reflection Questions:

1. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, am I willing to let God search my heart and mind completely?
2. How do I view myself compared to God? Compared to others?
3. Transformation is a lifetime process, what thinking patterns, desires, and motivations does God need to change?