Pursue it daily!
What are the things you do on a daily basis? Not those life and death things like eat, breathe, and drink but those things that you’ve just become accustomed to doing. Hard to articulate, so let me illustrate.
Every Friday I take my daughter out for Daddy/Daughter time. Every day I check my email. Every day I check my social media. Every day I talk to my wife.
Some of these are things I’m actually pursuing on a daily basis. I pursue relationship with each of my kids as I connect with them. I pursue my wife daily to strengthen our relationship. It’s odd but I’m pursuing relationship with the “real world” through social media. There are things I do daily, out of habit, to pursue valuable relationships. Fantasy football season is coming up, I mean if you don’t think I’m going to pursue them for a good trade on a daily basis, you’re out of your mind but I digress.
Please consider this verse with me for a second.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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 12:1-2 ESV
Recently I was reading (listening) to a book that made a very basic point about this passage. It slapped me in the face. This is not a suggestion. It’s a command.
BE TRANSFORMED. It’s a command, not a suggestion.
We won’t be completely transformed until we reach heaven, but given the command nature of this verse, it is something we should pursue on a daily basis.
So how do we pursue transformation on a daily basis? There are countless ways. Allow me to limit these to opportunities afforded to you through Wellspring Church and of many local churches (dependent on where you are reading this from).
Pursue Transformation through Prayer!
Prayer is individual and corporate. So, when was the last time you prayed for your own spiritual growth? When was the last time you invited someone into the process? In prayer, we are ultimately inviting the Holy Spirit to do His transforming work in our lives. Join a life group and start praying with people!
Pursue Transformation through Accountability!
This is a daily ground. Given the grind nature of transformation, we will have good days and bad days. Who is holding you accountable? Who do you invite into your life to say, “Im struggling with ____ . Can you pray for me and help me be more like Jesus in this area? Can you call me out when I’m slipping in this area?” I haven’t had a drink in about 5 years. I still have people who check in on me to make sure I’m honoring God (this is a personal decision- drinking isn’t a sin but can be taken sinful places) in this area. Join a life group, gain a trusted friend and hold each other accountable. This is our method of discipleship; mentorship!
Pursue Transformation through God’s Word!
Are you reading through God’s word on your own? What is God teaching you through that process? Did you know with each series we do there is a reading plan you can use to go deeper in what we are preaching? Grab one and read. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit uses God’s word for transformation in our lives. Our life groups are all sermon series based. Since our sermons are Bible based, our life groups are Bible based. Join a life group and chew on God’s word with trusted friends.
Pursue Transformation through Mission!
There is nothing like getting on mission with God. Can one be growing if they haven’t joined God on mission? Can one be growing if they never speak up about the One they are seeking to become like? The mission of Christ was never intended to breed isolation. Satan loves isolation, God doesn’t! Get on mission! Join us at a Community Kindness Action. Join a volunteer team. Pray for One as we pray daily for those that don’t know Jesus. Transformation will happen as you join Christ on mission for this broken world.
"The mission of Christ was never intended to breed isolation. Satan loves isolation, God doesn’t! Get on mission!"
We value Endless Growth. This passage speaks to this value. Daily pursue becoming a little more like Jesus than you were yesterday. Each day pursue transformation personally and alongside your local church. The church, your fellow Christians and the Holy Spirit are a gift. See it as such!
Keep praying for one!
Pastor Jason,
Lead Pastor of Wellspring Church
Click here to learn more about Wellspring Church in Toms River!
