Pursuit Of His Presence

Romans 12:1-2 

1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

 

 

Devotional

Live a Life of Power!

by Gloria Copeland

“Strip yourselves of your former nature...and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind...put on the new nature...created in...true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24, The Amplified Bible
To live a life pleasing to God, you must have the spiritual strength to lay aside natural pursuits at times. How do you develop that strength? First and foremost by spending time in the Word and in prayer. As you spend time in His Word, by the power of that Word, the Holy Spirit will separate you not only from sin, but also from the unnecessary things in life. He will impart to you the spiritual might and grace you need to obey the instructions in Ephesians 4:22-24.
Those verses tell us that righteousness and holiness are two different things. Righteousness is the right-standing with God you gained when you were born again. The only thing you did to be made righteous was to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.
Holiness is another matter. You are not made holy. Holiness is the result of your choices. It’s what you do with your time and your actions. It’s your conduct. It comes when you make a decision of your will to live according to the precepts of the Lord. In short, holiness is doing those things that please the Father. To be holy is to be “sanctified, and meet for the master’s use” (2 Timothy 2:21). Sanctified means “set apart.” Set apart from what? From the world! God wants us to be so caught up in spiritual things that we lose interest in carnal activities and pursue Him with all our hearts.
According to Romans 12:1-2, being wholly dedicated to God is your reasonable service. God expects us all to live holy. He says, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
When you see the power and glory of God start to flow in greater measure through you, you won’t regret you made those sacrifices. When you lay hands on a crippled person and see him made whole instantly, you’ll be glad you turned down that carnal movie your friends went to see.
You may think I’m being overly dramatic, but I’m not. Those things are happening—not just at the hands of famous preachers or full-time ministers, but at the hands of everyday believers. They can happen in your life.
Determine to be a part of it all. Make up your mind not to be sidelined by doing petty things that please yourself. Dedicate yourself wholly to the Father. Choose to live holy. Choose to live a life of power! Choose to live for God!
Speak the Word
“I strip myself of my former nature. I am constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind. I put on the new nature that is created in righteousness and true holiness.” —Ephesians 4:22-24, The Amplified Bible
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