Themes, Discussions and Focus

Romans 12:1,2 is my theme verse for this year... I was looking back at my notes... just curious to remember how early on it became this year's theme for me. The date in my journal is January 25. After school got out I decided to share this theme with my family and to claim it as our theme verse for this year together. We have not done this as a family before (This is the first time I have had a theme verse for the year for myself.), but I am excited to see how this comes into focus for all of us this year. Looking ahead a little I am excited to see what other verses we can focus on in the coming years.

Working this verse with my kids so that they could better understand what the verse means, I asked the question, "What are three ways we can give our bodies to God as a holy sacrifice acceptable to Him?" (My 9 year old needed clarity on "sacrifice".) The three answers we came up with are 1. Purity 2. Healthy living 3. Christian service. We talked about each of our answers. What does that mean? What does that look like? How do we do that? Why do we do that? etc.

I enjoyed the notes in my Study Bible, and thought they might be beneficial to share. I love my Study Bible. If you don't have one you might want to get one. Mine is the Nelson KJV Study Bible. I used a 25% off coupon at the Family Christian Store (one of our favorite places) a few years ago. This is what it had to say, 

"The body has been an instrument of sin. Now it is to be presented to God as a channel through which the righteousness of God is manifest. Be not conformed (stop conforming yourself): They are to resist being poured into the mold of the present thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world." "...Daily dependance on God results in our transformation into the image of Christ."

Of course my focus in my personal time with God is first on Him, cultivating an accurate view of God, drawing near to Him, coming to know Him better, and second on myself, learning to live a life that is pleasing to Him and all that that entails. One of my difficulties as a mom is focusing on my life and how God is speaking to me. I read a verse and think about one or more of my children... It is not an entirely bad thing, but at the same time I must focus on what God wants me to know first and then think about how I can pass these truths on to my kids.

In other news... Saying goodnight to my son last night after family devotions... I said, "There are three verses in the Bible that say 'walk worthy'. I want you to find them tomorrow and write them in your journal." Expecting his normal eye roll and "that sounds like homework" I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction, "That sounds really cool!" We had a fun conversation about what "walk worthy" means, and that we all need a blinking neon "WALK WORTHY" sign.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Next on the reading schedule is Romans reading no more than 3 chapters a day.

I have just completed that.

Reading through Romans... my cup runneth over with so much truth. I think I could write about each chapter... about each verse. I won't. I don't have time to do that. You can read it and journal your own thoughts and blessings you receive from it.

Chapter 1 specifically verse 21-32 is heart breaking. "When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." As I read through the first chapter it seemed to paint a vivid picture of present day America.

Continuing through the next few chapters, I felt a number of emotions - sadness, then a sense of liberation followed by utter thankfulness. In my notes I wrote "Thankful for guidelines, for true right and wrong. There is no guessing. The lines are not blurred. There's no gray area. It's black or white, right or wrong - that simplifies life! When you can know for sure what is right and what is wrong and you can admit it, you can get it right. You can ask for the cleansing righteousness that only comes though Jesus - His blood - His death and resurrection. That is freedom! Freedom form sin and from guilt. A much better way to live." (my simpleminded notes - wink)

Some other verses I highlighted (key word being "some"):
Rom. 5:3-5
Rom. 8:6, 8, 16, 25-27 (26 is one of my favorite verses), 28-39 PRAISE THE LORD!
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us."
Rom. 9:15, 19 Have mercy and compassion on me. Help me not resist Your Will.
Rom. 10:1 May our (specifically my) heart's desire be first for the salvation of souls!
Rom. 11:34-36 Makes me want to shout! :)
Rom. 12:1, 2, 11, 12 (12 is another one of my favorites.) Really might as well highlight the whole 12th chapter. Wow! Romans is one of my favorite books on the Bible! It's all yellow. :)

I am trying not to make this post too long. There is so much in Romans, like I said I don't want to write about every verse even though one really could!

My prayer is that God would give me a specific message from His word each day and help me to remember it through out my day. In my prayer journal before reading chapters 10-12 I wrote "...help me to grow and transform into the person you have created me to be..." Then read 12:1-2. He gave me specific directions. I stopped right there in my reading and thanked the Lord for this answer. It is not an immediate accomplishment by any means of course you know. It was a fun little conversation the way I see it. He tells me, if I want to see growth and transformation this is how I do it.

Romans 12:12 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.

Enjoy your read through Romans. Let me know what touches you most as you read this jam-packed book.

Next for me in my reading schedule is to read through the entire New Testament twice by reading 3 chapters a day. This is supposed to take 6 months.