Author: Jayne Lawson

Scripture:  “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” – John 10:29

Examination: In chapter 10 of the book of John, Jesus explains who He is, His relationship with His Father, and the security we have in Him. These truths that He shares provide the assurance of our relationship with God and His great love for us.

Application: When I was a little girl, I always felt secure when my father held my hand. His fingers seemed as thick as tree trunks, and when they wrapped around my hand, I knew nothing could pry me away from him. I felt loved, protected, and safe with my dad.

My heavenly Father also loves me and provides protection and security for me. He showed His love on Calvary when He allowed His beloved Son to be sacrificed on the cross to reconcile mankind to Himself. This gift of salvation is available to anyone who places their faith and trust in Christ. Neither God’s love nor His salvation is revocable. 1 John 5:13 states, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Once saved from my sins, I belong to God forever, and no man can remove me from God’s grasp…not even myself! My salvation can never be lost… God’s love assures me of that.

Being secure in someone’s love, knowing you are in their heart forever, removes any fear of abandonment or rejection and gives emotional comfort and peace. Because God has promised in His Word to hold us forever in His hand, we need not fear being forsaken if we should fall into sin or fail to do that which is right in the sight of God. Instead, we have the assurance of His forgiveness and restoration every time we go to Him with a penitent heart. 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  

The assurance of our salvation and everlasting life is also found in Romans 6:23 and 11:29. The first verse states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” With salvation comes the gift of everlasting life. The latter verse states that when God gives a gift, He doesn’t renege on it. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Salvation and eternal life are gifts that we cannot ever lose, no matter what we think, say, or do.

To know I will forever be held in the hand of my heavenly Father is love beyond comprehension, but I trust in God’s Word. Romans 8:38-39 states, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It is such blessed assurance to know God’s got a tight grip on me forever!

Memory Verse: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” – Ephesians 2:8

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

(from “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby)

Scripture: “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” – Psalm 34:14

Examination: In Psalm 34, David is writing about the goodness of God, and that He listens to His children. Several times he mentions that the Lord listens, and of course, that He delivers!

Application: Sometimes life gets so busy that it seems like no one has any time for anyone else. People ask, “How are you?”, but they don’t really want to know; they’re simply engaging in polite societal greetings. Maybe you’ve felt like others hear you, but they’re not really listening to you. When it seems like no one is in our corner, thoughts of unworthiness and rejection creep into our psyche, and we begin to believe the lies our heart tells us in that no one cares.

When someone is fully present for us, a loving, supportive relationship begins to be established. When someone listens when we need a sympathetic ear, it creates an emotional connection that fosters trust and security. However, juggling a busy lifestyle makes it difficult for many to give the time needed to develop those caring relationships that we all need. This can lead to feelings of sadness and social isolation.

Fortunately, it is so different for God. He has the time, the ability, and the desire to build a strong and personal relationship with us. He watches over us always. The Bible tells us in Job 34:21, “For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.” He watches not some of what we are doing, but all, and He does it every moment of every day!

God also listens to us. In Psalm 116, the Psalmist wrote, “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” God hears us every time we pray, and when we do, He gives us His full attention.

Psalm 95:7 explains, “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” We belong to God. He is our Shepherd. He is devoted to us. He knows each of us by name! He listens to each of us as if we were the only one calling out to Him. He watches us as if we were the only one for Him to keep an eye on. That is the love that God has for you and me. All encompassing, unconditional, and everlasting!

Memory Verse: “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” – John 15:9

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely -
He did something that no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me -
O how much He cared for me!

(from “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus” by Charles Weigle)

Scripture: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12

Examination: Written by David, this beautiful psalm tells about the wonderful attributes of God, His mercy and forgiveness, His holiness and righteousness, and the benefits we have as His children.

Application: Yesterday, I went to donate blood. On my way to the facility, I thought about the possibility that my blood could save someone’s life, and as I prayed for who might receive my blood, the parallel between my blood helping save someone’s life and Jesus’ blood saving me came to mind.

It is so easy to say that Jesus bore my sins on the cross, but when I really think about what happened that dark day on Calvary, my heart is overwhelmed with sorrow. The ramification of what Jesus took upon Himself is much deeper than “the sins” of the world.

On the cross, He bore every depraved thought, every pornographic activity, every lie spewed out, every baby murdered, every illicit affair, every act of corruption, every vile word spoken against His beloved Father, every bit of filth that could ever be imagined… Jesus bore it all… every bit of the world’s evil and wickedness. All of these listed, and so much more, He was punished for on the cross. He paid the price for our sins with His blood.

The cost was so far beyond the physical beatings and torture. It was the first and only time in all of eternity that the Son was truly separated from the Father. Think about that for a moment. For all of eternity, the Father and the Son never knew one moment of separation, but that all changed as Jesus hung on the cross. He cried out in unimaginable agony, “…Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Why? To pay the price for our sins.

It cost me nothing to donate a pint of blood so that another person could have a chance to live. It cost Jesus everything to shed His blood so that you and I could have a chance to live eternally.

1 Peter 3:18 states, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” The next time you thank the Lord for forgiving your sins, take a moment to reflect on the cost and remember that He chose to do it because He loves us more than anyone could ever fathom.

Memory Verse: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

King of my life I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony,
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

(from “Lead Me to Calvary” by Jennie Evelyn Hussey)

Scripture: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Examination: Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome about their standing with God. He explains how they are part of the family of God… a joint-heir with the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and how the Spirit of God indwells each believer. Their eternal security is found in God and His promises.

Application: I recently attended a wedding where vows of love were spoken between the bride and groom. It made me reflect on my own wedding nearly 50 years ago. I remember promising to love my husband as long as I lived, and he made the same promise to me. Sadly, according to some studies, 34% (1 in 3) marriages end in divorce these days. Those declarations of long-lasting love are long forgotten as couples go their separate ways.

In a world where vows of love are only pie-crust promises – easily made, easily broken, there is a love that will last forever. It is a love made in the throne room of heaven by God Himself and declared constantly through the pages of His Word to all people. Not only does God state His love for us, He has proven it as well… again and again. Here are a few of my favorites verses about the divine love of God.

• Sacrificial Love
  • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16.
• Personal Love
  • “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
• Saving Love
  • “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9
• Unlimited Love
  • “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” – Ephesians 2:4-5
• Parental Love
  • “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” – 1 John 3:1
• Everpresent Love
  • “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” – Romans 5:5

Once a person has accepted Christ as Saviour, every promise in the Bible becomes theirs. In Jeremiah 31:3, God promised He would love us forever. He will never break His vow to us; it has been sealed by the precious blood of His Son at Calvary. Other loves may fade away, but the love of God will endure forever!

Memory Verse: “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” – Jeremiah 31:3

And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?’
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

(from “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” by Charles Wesley)

Scripture: “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

Examination: The prophet Zephaniah speaks to a time when God will restore Israel, and all nations will know God for who He is. It is at this time that the Lord will judge and punish the enemies of Israel, and He will rejoice over the restoration of His people to the land with great joy.

Application: When I first met my husband, I was in high school, and not really interested in having a boyfriend, but my heart was smitten soon after we met. I wanted to learn everything about him, so we had many long talks after work. The more I learned, the more I was drawn to him. We were so different, but it didn’t matter. Before I really grasped what was happening, I had “fallen in love” with him. From then on, every moment I could, I spent with him, and it was glorious!  

God’s love is like that. When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, all of heaven rejoices! Our heavenly Father rejoices with singing and great joy! While He knows everything there is to know about us, He still wants to spend time with us cultivating a deep personal relationship that is built upon a foundation of divine love. He cherishes the moments we spend in prayer and in His Word. God rejoices when we learn more about Him because He loves us with such intensity and wants us to fall head over heels in love with Him, spending every moment we can with Him! Jesus told us what God desires of us in Matthew 22:37, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

Isaiah 62:5 tells us this about God’s love for us, “… as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” I remember seeing the joy on my husband’s face when I walked down the aisle to become his wife. The love reflected in his eyes remains etched in my memory. That is how Christ feels about each one of us! We are His bride, and He love us with an everlasting love! (Jeremiah 31:3).

As we meditate on that love, remember that nothing can separate us from it. Even our sin, intended to be an unbreachable barrier to the Lord, was destroyed at Calvary. Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay for our sins, providing the only way of reconciliation. Ephesians 5:2 states, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Before we could ever love Him, He loved us.

 Memory Verse:  “We love him, because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

In letters of crimson, God wrote His love
On the hillside so long, long ago
For you and for me Jesus died
And love's greatest story was told

"I love you, I love you"
That's what Calvary said
I love you, I love you
"I love you" written in red

(from “Written in Red” by Gordon Jensen)

Scripture: “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.” – Psalm 3:4

Examination: David was familiar with the storms of life for he experienced many troubles during his lifetime. In this particular psalm, David was fleeing from his son, Absalom, and he cried out to God for deliverance. Regardless of whether his storms of life centered around wars, relationships, personal sin, etc., David always turned to God for his salvation.

Application: In the region where I live, we recently experienced two intense winter storms, back to back. The first brought ice and the threat of power outages; the second brought snow and frigid temperatures. We had only a week between them, and many people were scrambling to be prepared for both bouts of wintry weather.

Life can be like that.  Storms may come and go in our lives without much of a reprieve between them. As we learn from studying the life of David, regardless of the frequency or intensity, it is God to whom we can trust for our deliverance.

While most Christians believe and will affirm that God loves them, it’s important to take a moment to stop and grasp the gravity of what that exactly means.

The One who created everything that exists, the One who sustains all life, the One whose power knows no bounds, the One who sacrificed Himself to restore humanity’s relationship with Him… this is the One who loves each one of us AND knows us by name!

God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” (1:5). This means that we all were conceived in the mind of God before we were ever conceived physically! He loved us then; He loves us now, and He will love us forever! Jeremiah 31:3 records God’s profession of love for His children, when he tells the prophet, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

Because of His steadfast love, we can know that we will face no storm in life without God at our side. Deuteronomy 31:6 provides us that blessed assurance, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

In Psalm 46:1, David records that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We do not need to allow anxiety or fear to overwhelm us. While those emotions are normal, we need not become enslaved to them. We must remember that God is always with us. He will never abandon us. He is a God in whose Word we can trust. If He promised to take care of us, He will do it. I Peter 5:7 reminds us the reason why, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

The next time a storm is bombarding you with troubles that seem overwhelming, remember that you are not alone. God is with you in the storm… as well as before and after!

 Memory Verse: “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” – Psalm 107:29

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face,
While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place.
'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

(from “Till the Storm Passes By” by Mosie Lister)

Scripture: – “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” – 1 John 2:6

Examination: John writes about the character of a true Christian and how it should manifest itself through love. He goes on to explain that the love of God should flow from us to others, and that if we truly belong to God, we will strive to obey His Word.

Application: Loving others doesn’t come easy for many people, even Christians. The reasons are many, but to God, none of them matter. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus told us, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”. He tells us the reason why in the next verse, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…”

Jesus is our example to follow. As we let Him lead us, we must strive to be like Him. This is exactly what the Father is making us into… the image of His Son. In Romans 8:29, Paul states this about God, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” This is an ongoing process as Philippians 1:6 states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” God is transforming us into the image of His beloved Son so that we can reflect Him to a lost and dying world. Our reflection needs to be one of godly love.

Jesus told His followers in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” The more we devote ourselves to prayer and Bible study, the more we learn what it means to follow Jesus. However, it doesn’t just happen. It is a decision each one of us must make. As Joshua said, “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve;” (Joshua 24:15)

As January comes to a close, and we look forward to the rest of 2026, let us determine to pray a little more, study the Scriptures a little more, and let God lead a whole lot more! Let’s dedicate the rest of 2026 to be more aligned to the will of God by following Him faithfully, reading His Word, and spending more time on our knees.

Memory Verse: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” – 1 John 4:11

More like the Master I would ever be,
More of His meekness, more humility;
More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,
More consecration for work He bids me do.

Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone;
Take Thou my heart and make it all Thine own.
Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore,
Wash me and keep me Thine forevermore.

More like the Master I would live and grow;
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be.

Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone;
Take Thou my heart and make it all Thine own.
Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore,
Wash me and keep me Thine forevermore.

(from “More Like the Master” by Chas. H. Gabriel)

Scripture: “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” – Isaiah 48:17

Examination: This chapter of Isaiah addresses the practice of idolatry in which the Israelites continue to be involved, and the record of God reminding them of His sovereignty, His redemptive power, and His supremacy.

Application: In allowing God to lead, it’s so much easier when you stop for a moment and consider who God truly is. First and foremost, He is the Almighty God, Creator of the universe, and Sustainer of all life. He is, as it says in Isaiah 9:6, our “…Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” God never makes a mistake; He has our best interests in His heart, and He is the only One capable of making our lives rich and abundant when we follow His lead!

Following God only results in good things. He will never take us down the wrong path. Psalm 23:3 states that He leads us in “…paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Deuteronomy 28:2 tells us that God desires to bless us, “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” One of the greatest benefits of following God is having His peace. This world is chaotic, fearful, and full of uncertainty. This causes increased anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and lack of purpose. When a person decides to follow God, the peace of God, that passes our understanding, replaces feelings of fear, worry, and doubt.

When I was a child, I remember feeling so safe when my hand was held in my dad’s. The peace I felt from my dad holding me firmly in his hand was almost indescribable. I knew that nothing would harm me; my dad was my protector, and I was secure in his care. That’s how it is with God when we put our trust in Him. There is nothing that can replace the peace I find from knowing He’s got everything under control, and there is absolutely no need for me to worry about tomorrow. God is never caught off-guard, never utters the word, “Oops!”, and never is at a loss for what to do.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23). Following God as He leads promises a more abundant life in Him as I grow my faith through His Word and apply it to my life.

Memory Verse: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” – Psalm 32:8

I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future, for I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.

(from “I Don’t Know About Tomorrow” by Ira F. Stanphill)

Scripture: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

Examination: Joshua is speaking to the leaders of the tribes of Israel in this chapter and recounting the Lord’s history with the people. He reminds them of  God’s faithfulness and deliverance. Due to their rebellious nature, Joshua then tells them regardless of whom they decide to worship, he and his family will follow the Lord.

Application: Many decisions in life are easy to make, but difficult to follow through with. For example, those who desire to lose weight often start off well on a diet, but within a couple of weeks, the decision to adhere to the health plan wanes, and the weight remains. Another example is determining to get in shape and purchasing a gym membership or home exercising equipment. Individuals are eager to begin, but the excitement soon fades, and eventually the equipment gets dusty from non-use, or the gym membership is ignored. Unfortunately, the same can be said for deciding to follow the Lord.

I remember when I first accepted Jesus as my Saviour. I was a 12-year-old girl and on fire for the Lord! I shared the gospel with my parents and friends, and I was faithful to church attendance. However, as the years went by, my life became more focused on me and less on God. High school, college, marriage, children, career… there was so much that crowded into my life, and frankly, I put God on the back burner.

Sadly, the less I followed the Lord, the more I followed the world. Sin crept in, but I rationalized my sinful behaviors… after all, I was a born-again Christian, no doubt about that, but my decision to follow the Lord with all my heart had been hidden away, waiting for another day.

It was inevitable that that day would finally come. The Bible says in John 10:29 that since the day of my salvation, I was securely in God’s hand. “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” No one could pluck me out, not even me! God was faithful even when I was not. He led me and my family to a solid, Bible-believing church, and after attending for some time, I realized how I had, in my own way, forsaken my Lord…  Time for some serious repentance! I cried and begged for God’s forgiveness and restoration. If it had been another time and place, I am sure I would have rent my garments in despair. But God is true to His Word. 1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” There was (and is) such incredible joy in simply knowing the God forgives every one of my sins regardless of how long it had been or what I had done!

Today, I still struggle with “self”, but I am more committed to my decision to follow the Lord. In order to remain determined to stay close to Him, I have learned three very important things to do.

• Pray daily
  • “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6
  • If one is determined to let God lead them through life, he or she must communicate with Him each day.
  • Prayer is us sharing our hearts with Him. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
• Study the Scriptures
  • “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105 
  • It is not enough to just read a verse or two every now and then, but it is imperative to take time to study and meditate upon the Word of God, and then apply it to one’s life. Joshua 1:8 explains, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
• Attend church
  • “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
  • Solid Bible teaching is critical for growth in one’s faith. God has given us pastors, Sunday school teachers, and a church family to help us grow in our Christian walk. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 states one of the many benefits from going to church, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

Am I always successful in doing each of these daily? No, not always, but my commitment remains strong. Each day that I strive to let God lead, He reminds me that I am “… his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

Memory Verse: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” – Philippians 1:6

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, 
In the light of His glory and grace.

(from “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen Howarth Lemmel)

Scripture: “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.” – Romans 12:2

Examination: The book of Romans was written by Paul, the apostle, to the Christians in the city. He is explaining that the gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles. In this particular chapter, Paul is writing about the importance of living wholly as a follower of Christ, aligning one’s mind with the truth of the gospel instead of accepting what the world has to offer.

Application: In the children’s game, Simon Says, there is a leader who states various commands that the others are to follow when the words, “Simon says” are spoken. Those who fail to act at the appropriate time are out of the game. The winner is the one who has successfully followed each command correctly. Often, the participants cast a glance to see what the others are doing, and then they do the same motion. Many times, this results in being eliminated from the current round of play as they’ve copied someone who didn’t follow the correct command.

As Christians, it is imperative that we follow the teachings of the Lord instead of our culture. Sometimes, the world thinks it is doing what is “right”, and many, including Christians, fall into sin, accepting what man says as being what God says. However, the Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We must choose wisely as to whom we follow in our lives.

Paul instructed the Roman Christians to renew their minds. This meant that they needed to know God’s truth and make that their compass through life. They did that by following the apostle’s teachings. Today, we have the Bible to teach us God’s truth. It is the ONLY source that holds the key to living according to His will. It outlines how to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, how to stand strong against temptation and sin, and how to interact with others. It provides instruction for us, comfort for us, and hope for our future. The Bible is our manual for godly living. 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

However, we must be cautious when studying the Bible; we cannot pick and choose verses and use them out of context to suit our own desires. To renew our minds, as Paul writes, we must be diligent in our study of the Scriptures. We must listen to the Spirit of God as He deepens our understanding of the Word of God, and then align our life with it. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

As we let God lead us in the study of His Word, our thinking will be transformed as we learn more and more of “what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.  Then, as our minds are renewed, our lives will reflect Jesus more and more to the world as each one of us becomes “… a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” (Romans 12:1)

Memory Verse: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1

Jesus, Savior, great Example,
Pattern of all purity,
I would follow in thy footsteps,
Daily growing more like thee.

More like thee, more like thee;
Savior, this my constant prayer shall be—
Day by day, where'er I stay,
Make me more and more like thee.

(from “More Like Thee” by William J. Kirkpatrick)