Foundations Feb 6, 2011

Sunday, February 6, 2011

END TIMES READING PLAN: Revelation 8-9

SCRIPTURE READING

Galatians 1:13-18a (NIV); For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter

Upon his conversion, Paul went briefly to Arabia and then spent three years in Damascus. Paul was sure of his calling. He was sure that on the road to Damascus he had encountered the risen Christ; it was not an angel or a prophetic revelation, but Jesus Christ Himself. Paul knew a lot when it came to the Law and the prophets, but when Jesus revealed Himself Paul’s understanding of Scripture was completely changed, and his theology (what he believed about God) had to be completely revamped as he was bathed in the truth of the Son. He spent three years in one place, studying and preaching in Damascus.

In Romans, Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. A renewal is a complete change for the better. It is easy to become lazy in our faith, allowing ourselves to be tossed around by the ways of the world rather than finding continual renewal in Christ. We need to meditate on God’s work in our lives and allow Him to transform our hearts and minds. 

PRAYER and MEDITATION

1)   Ask the Holy Spirit: How should my faith in what Christ has done for me and called me to cause me to completely revamp my thinking and my lifestyle? Listen in prayer about this and ask respond to what He shows you.

2)   Ask the Lord to show you specific areas of your life (including thoughts, relationships, etc) that need renewal. What steps do you need to take in order to be renewed?

3)   Ask for a revelation of Jesus right now. Ask Him to whisper a verse, word, thought or picture to you, showing you who He is.