God is always working in our lives and in the world, even if and when we don't understand His way. Whether you have something you overcame recently, or the testimony of how you came to know Christ, this is a place where you may share it.
How can we gain and maintain a Christ-centered perspective while living in a world opposite of His truth? Here are three present-day mindsets that rob us of that.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Etched in my mind is RC Sproul’s voice saying, “Chili con carne,” quite forcefully as he taught what the wo... moreClub31 Women devotional
How can we gain and maintain a Christ-centered perspective while living in a world opposite of His truth? Here are three present-day mindsets that rob us of that.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Etched in my mind is RC Sproul’s voice saying, “Chili con carne,” quite forcefully as he taught what the word conform means. Where I’m from, Chili always has meat, and it flavors the soup to the point that I can’t discern between the various flavors of the other ingredients. Chili con carne is an example of what it means to be conformed, as Paul means: to be so much like the unbelieving culture around you that you’re indistinguishable as a Christian.
This verse in Romans often leads us to ask, “What does it mean not to be conformed to the world?” Does it mean we look different, sound different, and do entirely other things from unbelievers? Don’t get drunk, don’t cuss, don’t watch porn. Wouldn’t that be a transformation pleasing to God?
It’s easy to rush to think what this must look outwardly like and to overlook Paul’s instruction to be transformed by the renewal of our mind. But the word mind is essential to understanding what it looks like to avoid conformity with the world. As Christians, our behaviors need to be changed from before we knew Christ, but something else must happen first.
Paul wants us to give attention to the renewal of our minds because what we think and how we think is the source from which our feelings and actions flow. It all begins with the mind.
Present Day Mindsets
In any age we live in, it’s essential to understand what the zeitgeist, the spirit of the age, is. What’s “in” regarding ideas and how people think? We need to give this attention because ideas have consequences, and these ideas affect and influence us. These often shape how we think. We can look around and see cultural decay, but why is it here?
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5,
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…”
Arguments and lofty opinions begin in the mind. We must be aware of our thoughts to pursue obedience in renewing our minds. What are those things that are against the knowledge of God that we might be influenced by? They’re not always easy to discern, but here are just a few of our day:
• I am my Authority
• “Okay, boomer” mindset
• I feel this is right
While I stated them plainly, one rarely thinks consciously, for example, “I am my Authority.” But this way of thinking is demonstrated in a myriad of ways. Proverbs 3:5-6a says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him…”
We’ve moved into an era where even believers cannot listen to the truth about some things, and not due to a lack of evidence, but an unwillingness of heart and mind to believe. There is a refusal to submit to an authority outside of the self.
This heart posture is part of what goes into the “Okay, boomer” mindset. Every generation struggles to respect their elders, and we should be discerning about the counsel we seek and from whom. That’s wisdom! But a particular casting off today demonstrates the hubris of believing that we are our Authority. In the church, this can look like younger women not pursuing older women for wisdom. It can look like going online for all the answers you need, whether to a popular Instagram influencer or someone’s blog. Those things are great, and I’m so thankful that we can now spread the message of the Gospel far and wide, but it’s problematic when we overlook the very people God has put right in front of us to learn from.
Flowing out of the misplaced Authority is the tendency for our feelings to become our divine, authoritative Word. Rather than listening to objective truth, what we feel is what we place our trust in and what we live by. It’s easy to see this in transgenderism: “I feel like a man; therefore, I am a man and am changing my life to align with that reality.” We can see the evident delusion in this thinking, but we often miss it in ourselves. But it’s not unique to people who turn to transgenderism, but a common sin of our day that is a temptation for us all. It’s part of the spirit of the age.
How Does Transformation Happen?
If we understand that conformed means being indistinguishable and going along with the culture, what does it mean to be transformed?
The good news is that the Lord transforms us! But, we must have a heart of humility. Understanding the times and asking the Lord to help us see if anything in our hearts opposes Him is essential. Once we recognize a lie we believe, then we must begin thinking new, correct thoughts. Paul instructs the Ephesians and the Colossians to put off the old man and his desires and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Eph 4:22-24, Col 3:1-10).
For example, the next time you enter a discussion where someone presents new facts contrary to what feels right, you’ll likely start feeling sweaty or hot. This physiological response is God’s gift, letting you know something is happening in your heart! Take a moment to stop and evaluate what’s happening. Acknowledge in that moment that it’s tempting to allow your feelings (yourself) to be your Authority. That is the lie to put off.
Remind yourself that we depend on the Lord to give us knowledge and understanding (Ps 3:5-6). This truth aligns with God’s Word. Then, ask the person you’re conversing with a clarifying question to understand better how the fact they’re bringing lines up with Scripture.
The process of having our minds renewed is a lifelong endeavor! Be encouraged as the Lord comes alongside you to continue transforming into Christ’s likeness. It is He who transforms us! As we cooperate in this good work of having our minds renewed, we grow in our experiential knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and it will compel us to want to help others know Him.
1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”
I grew up with an atheist father and my mom was very neutral not having many beliefs besides what her catholic grandparents taught her. My parents were very loving and very open to me & my brother going to church. Through the years we would have friends from school invite us to church and we would go and loved it but it was never consistent and I never understood the need to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It did however plant seeds in my life.
I grew up with an atheist father and my mom was very neutral not having many beliefs besides what her catholic grandparents taught her. My parents were very loving and very open to me & my brother going to church. Through the years we would have friends from school invite us to church and we would go and loved it but it was never consistent and I never understood the need to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It did however plant seeds in my life.
My entire life from infancy to adulthood I was constantly attacked by the demonic. I would see shadows, have sleep paralysis, hear noises. We found out that both of the houses we lived in people had practiced the occult. There were pentagrams in the walls and we found quija boards 😩. So from childhood to adult hood I would tell my family and they said “oh it’s just ghosts” I never had anyone praying for me and I didn’t know how.
Fast forward to when I was 18 I developed an ovarian disease and was told I could never have children. I spiraled and got extremely depressed and wanted to kill myself not to mention all the demonic voices around me. To “heal myself” because I was so desperate I turned to new age beliefs. I practiced new age for a few years and the demonic activity got extremely strong. I say God allowed me to see the darkness so I could really appreciate the light once I was saved.
I had a friend from work start to share the gospel with me often and even email me gospel songs and she sent me scripture, I also married my husband around this time and he & his family were Christian’s. They began to pray for me. To make this shorter I was in my living room one day doing yoga, and as I was laying on the ground a demonic force grabbed me by the neck and held me there. All I could do was call on the name of Jesus. In that moment I felt darkness rush out of my house. I threw away all my new age stuff and began watching sermons online!! I was saved in 2017! It has been a long journey but a beautiful one. I think because I was surrounded by darkness for so long and very sensitive I am also pretty aware of the demonic still attached to other people. It’s opened my eyes and helped me understand the spiritual warfare we are truly in.
I am so blessed! And so thankful for Jesus saving me! I’ve also been blessed to have two children! I’ll share some of my dreams and visions soon ♥️ God bless
I used to practice witchcraft. I did spells, read oracle cards, did energy work, and used crystals as a means of healing, protecting, and manifesting. I was a reiki master and a yoga teacher. I believed in astrology, manifested under a new moon, and did shadow work under the full moon. I worshipped nature and worked with goddesses. I believed I was a starseed. I found my spirit guides and let them lead the course of my life. I would talk to “Spirit/Source/Univers... moreBy Jordan Taylor (shared on fb)
I used to practice witchcraft. I did spells, read oracle cards, did energy work, and used crystals as a means of healing, protecting, and manifesting. I was a reiki master and a yoga teacher. I believed in astrology, manifested under a new moon, and did shadow work under the full moon. I worshipped nature and worked with goddesses. I believed I was a starseed. I found my spirit guides and let them lead the course of my life. I would talk to “Spirit/Source/Universe” and believe that I was speaking to my “higher self.” I believed that I created my own reality and that I was my own god, in control of my own life.
I was also trapped in a continuous cycle of healing and “upleveling.” Constantly needing the next healing session in various forms. Feeling good after each healing session and chasing that “feel good” high when it would wear off. I believed that my next crisis was just leveling me up and raising my vibration and cracking some secret code to the harmony of the collective planet. While I believed all of this, I was suffering and in a deep pit of depression. I longed to feel loved, heard, and understood. My soul lacked a sense of belonging. My body was in a constant state of fight or flight. There were lots of days I had wished I weren’t alive. I was being tormented, experiencing regular sleep paralysis. I thought I could burn a little sage, say a little chant, and put crystals in every corner of my room to stop it.
I was wrong about all of it.
What I was actually doing was laying down a welcome mat for darkness, deception and all that comes with it.
I felt so allergic to the G-word (God). I almost unfriended a New Age colleague who had recently come to Christ because she couldn’t stop talking about Jesus. I was irritated by it. Angry. Repelled. I thought, “What HAPPENED to her?! Has she gone mad?”
But in God’s grace, He met me in my stubbornness. In my sin. In my depression. There was a moment in my resistance where I reluctantly watched a movie about Jesus to appease my boyfriend at the time. I watched and sobbed hysterically. I was overcome by an intense feeling of love. Something I had never ever felt before. The kind of love that I was desperately chasing in all the wrong ways. That’s when I knew God was after my heart.
I tried to deny it and ignore it. But I wanted to feel that feeling again. So I chased after Jesus. I started reading the Bible. I had never really done that before. And God’s character was revealed to me. I prayed. A lot. I had resistance to attending church but eventually I bounced around to a few churches until I found a biblically sound church that I loved. And this is how I started a relationship with God.
I never knew what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus. And now that I know, I’d never let that go. The chains of my depression have been broken. After praying in the name of Jesus, I have never experienced another sleep paralysis episode again. I find joy in the Lord. I’ve been made free by His Word, felt the power of His Spirit, felt the love of the Father, and I’m changed forever.
New Agers often think there are multiple ways to God. That you just have to find “your truth.” Or that you can access “Christ consciousness.” None of that is true. The truth is that there are not multiple ways to God. There’s One. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one gets to the Father except through Him. John 14:6
I know lots of you will think the same thing about me that I thought about my New Age colleague. “She has gone totally mad.” I’m okay with that. There’s nothing that compares to the peace, hope, and love that comes from knowing Jesus.
My prayer is that maybe this plants a seed in your heart. And that if you feel convicted by my words, you be open to the idea that God is chasing after you too. 🙏🏼🤍
Hello Beloved of God! (Katie)
I wanted to, or felt led to bring up a point that you made in your testimony about being worthy. You were saying something about the rapture not being guaranteed. I wanted to bring up a very important point that will give emphasis and clarification on leading a worthy life and walking in spiritual maturity that most don't seem to be preaching or teaching in very many places that I visit online.
This isn't a message of condemnation, but one of encouragement ultimate... moreHello Beloved of God! (Katie)
I wanted to, or felt led to bring up a point that you made in your testimony about being worthy. You were saying something about the rapture not being guaranteed. I wanted to bring up a very important point that will give emphasis and clarification on leading a worthy life and walking in spiritual maturity that most don't seem to be preaching or teaching in very many places that I visit online.
This isn't a message of condemnation, but one of encouragement ultimately.
In Revelation Chapter three verse four it talks about a FEW people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes (that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin).
It goes on to say, "and they will walk with Me (dressed) in white, because they are worthy."
This point is further emphasized in Ephesians chapter four verse one. It states, "So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called (that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior--a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation).
And in Colossians 1:10 it states, "so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord displaying admiral character moral courage and personal integrity to fully please him in All things bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God with deeper Faith clearer insight and fervent love for his precepts."
That is not to mention Philippians 3:15 and Ephesians 4:13.
What are your thoughts on these verses Katie, and what are some ways we can walk in a manner that will make us worthy to be included in the rapture event in our modern present day?
God has been good to me, my wife, and my daughter. My wife and i were maried for 25 years this December. We both grew up in a church where we come to know Jesus Christ and when i committed my life to Him in a camp i attended, my relationship with Jesus has never stopped growing. Yes there are ups and downs but at the end of the day, the love of Jesus keeps me in His arms teaching me His ways. My church life is so fulfilling. God is using me in the music ministry. This is my gift and calling to s... moreGod has been good to me, my wife, and my daughter. My wife and i were maried for 25 years this December. We both grew up in a church where we come to know Jesus Christ and when i committed my life to Him in a camp i attended, my relationship with Jesus has never stopped growing. Yes there are ups and downs but at the end of the day, the love of Jesus keeps me in His arms teaching me His ways. My church life is so fulfilling. God is using me in the music ministry. This is my gift and calling to serve God and for the edification of His body. I long for the day that He appears in the clouds to snatch us from this evil wicked sinful world. The more i see its wickedness, the stronger my desire that the Rapture happens really soon, even right now. But God has plans and we have to use every minute to do His will. I always pray that He gives us opportunities to do something good everyday so that His name will be glorified. My wife is sharing Jesus as the only way to salvation everytime there is an opportunity every time we help poor people in the neighborhood. I am just sad that the church where we attend and serve are not that excited and longing for our Blessed Hope. They do not realize the bliss of having our glorified body, seeing Jesus face to face along with other believers. Anyway we keep praying for them to come to that point. His signs and wonders never stop. He is coming very very soon, perhaps today. Glory to God!!!😇❤️😇
My wife and I had been married for almost 6 years. We had planned to have children immediately after our wedding but nothing was forthcoming. Our pastor, parents, friends and colleagues began to be concerned.
Some teased us with funny comments and this affected my wife. Anytime we could have a little argument it could get a great toll on her.
We sought advice from a gynaecologist who after thorough tests confirmed that my wife had blocked tubes, fibroids and by any chance, could only have ectop... moreMy wife and I had been married for almost 6 years. We had planned to have children immediately after our wedding but nothing was forthcoming. Our pastor, parents, friends and colleagues began to be concerned.
Some teased us with funny comments and this affected my wife. Anytime we could have a little argument it could get a great toll on her.
We sought advice from a gynaecologist who after thorough tests confirmed that my wife had blocked tubes, fibroids and by any chance, could only have ectopic pregnancy. The doctor said that an operation could be done on her which he said couldn't guarantee pregnancy. My wife was literally crying when we left the hospital with such a report. It took a lot of effort to comfort her. I told her I didn't love her because of any kind of blessings including children.
I also informed her, having the negative reports on the scans was good because we now knew what to fight in prayer. We both agreed before taking further steps, we go to a prayer center whereby we could spend 3 days taking only water, fasting and praying.
We could pray individually and meet everyday at set time for joint prayers of declarations.
Before we left the Prayer Center, we made a vow that if God blesses us with a male child, we will call him Samuel and will dedicate him to serving God. We also gave a seed offering towards this and left.
After a few months, my wife was expecting a male child. There were no traces of blocked tubes nor fibroids. We serve a miracle working God. Today, Samuel Mumo is in Grade 3 to the glory and honour of God. Those who laughed at us were no more. God hearkened to our prayers in the sixth year. I am sure one day he will live to serve the Almighty God.
Are you living as Jesus taught? To Love Each Other!🥰
1 Peter 5:10-11 KJV
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This came up in my memory today. It has been a long time since I've thought about this, so I'm not sure why it came to mind today. Perhaps reading John's miracle brought it to mind.
It is a long story, but I'll try to make it short. This happened about 21 years ago, before I retired. I had gone back to school at night at High Point University and was sitting in the first class that evening when I began to feel "unwell". Not nauseous, or anything I could really describe as I had never experience... moreThis came up in my memory today. It has been a long time since I've thought about this, so I'm not sure why it came to mind today. Perhaps reading John's miracle brought it to mind.
It is a long story, but I'll try to make it short. This happened about 21 years ago, before I retired. I had gone back to school at night at High Point University and was sitting in the first class that evening when I began to feel "unwell". Not nauseous, or anything I could really describe as I had never experienced anything like it previously. I left the class to go to the office and see if I could get some water and maybe some aspirin. I made it to the office and the next thing I know, I'm being loaded into an ambulance and taken to Wake Forest University hospital. They said I was having a heart attack.
They got me stabilized in the ER, then admitted me. The Drs were saying it was a mild heart attack, but they wanted to do more tests. Some time during the night, I had another, more severe heart attack. The testing revealed a 90% blockage in my anterior descending artery (I think that's correct - going by memory), and lesser blockage in two other arteries. They scheduled me for a stent the next morning.
By that time, everyone at my church had been notified and they were all praying.
The next morning, they wheeled me into the OR to begin the process of placing the stents. But, no stents were placed. The blockage was gone, cleared up, disappeared.
The Drs couldn't figure out what happened. But I knew and the people at my church knew. God had plans for my life and He wasn't done with me yet.
I was saved through a youth group. I am an Army Brat. I say am because once you are, you always are. From that time on I saw God as a Father. A father I could depend on no matter what and I had a prayer life that has lasted many years. My dad was in for 24 years. My mom met my dad in Germany and we immigrated with him to the states. We went back to Germany for 3 more tours. Finally coming back to the States in 1977. I've been all over the world and am still on Facebook because I have friends al... moreI was saved through a youth group. I am an Army Brat. I say am because once you are, you always are. From that time on I saw God as a Father. A father I could depend on no matter what and I had a prayer life that has lasted many years. My dad was in for 24 years. My mom met my dad in Germany and we immigrated with him to the states. We went back to Germany for 3 more tours. Finally coming back to the States in 1977. I've been all over the world and am still on Facebook because I have friends all over the world, and Facebook is my only link to them. I don't remember when I was first presented with the rapture, it just seemed truthful and I've always had the gift of discernment and have always been in the Word. It's like God totally orchestrated my life😊. I grew up spiritually in the Calvary Chapel (Jesus movement). So studying the Bible Book by Book, Chapter by Chapter, and Verse by Verse was drilled into me. I'm so glad groups like this one exist as it's very hard to find a church locally that believes as we do. My favorite bible teacher right now is Dr. Andy Woods, at Sugarland Bible Church in Texas. I grew up on Chuck Missler, Chuck Smith, David Hocking, and Joe Focht. My life verse is:
Job 13:15
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
I have several autoimmune diseases and struggle with my health...so most of my ministry is online.
I want to share a testimony and confession. Lately having been slandered and attacked, persecuted (mildly in the big picture) and mocked by family and people I love I have experienced some meaningful pain and suffering. This is we are told to be expected as we have an adversary. I confess at times Ive wanted to lash out verbally and respond in ways that are of the flesh. Getting vengeance for harm caused and still being caused to my children. HOWEVER....Thank God for... moreGreetings family In Christ,
I want to share a testimony and confession. Lately having been slandered and attacked, persecuted (mildly in the big picture) and mocked by family and people I love I have experienced some meaningful pain and suffering. This is we are told to be expected as we have an adversary. I confess at times Ive wanted to lash out verbally and respond in ways that are of the flesh. Getting vengeance for harm caused and still being caused to my children. HOWEVER....Thank God for His wonderful mercy and Word that always bring His heart and will back to me to align my will to His for my life. I shall say how sometimes Its clear and simple Gospel truth I need that sets me free. I now am relearning to totally surrender my cares and hurts to The Lord as quickly as I can. I called out in this terrible pain only yesterday....Heres what God says...
The forgiveness of my sins of course came at a very high price indeed. Forgiveness can not be bought. Gods reminding me that within The Lords prayer he says.
.Matthew 6:14-15 (AMP)
For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.
and The Spirit through Peters writing convicted me:
1 Peter 3:9-11 (AMP)
and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].
For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].
Oh the power of forgiveness!! Lord you never cease to amaze me!
Mark 11:25 (AMP)
Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others].
and...
Ephesians 4:32 (AMP)
Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 (AMP)
bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
As i yielded my will and surrendered myself to Him again in my pain freedom is as always given. I thank you Jesus for the good family In Christ who point me back to you always and for The Holy Spirit who always brings me back to you Lord!! You have already provided all we will ever need in any situation through your wounds. Hallelujah! My actual circumstances have not yet changed in the natural but God has RENEWED ME yet again. And those circumstances....well those trees are going to be uprooted and thrown into the sea by faith, As I ask now with a clean heart for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven! Not allowing the enemy a foothold into my heart. I shall finish this short testimony with this:
1 Peter 2:23-24 AMP
While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.
Amen, I pray this helps and encourages somebody. God Bless you all. Thankyou for your time listening.
Romans 5:3-4 (AMP)
And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. ❤️
