Verse: "Everything God made is good, and nothing should be refused if it is accepted with thanks." 1 Timothy 4:4 NCV
Verses 4 & 5 -- "Everything God made is good, and nothing should be refused if it is accepted with thanks, because it is made holy by what God has said and by prayer."
MSG - v. 4-5 "Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God's Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy."
Our lives alone are a gift from God, and EVERYTHING God made is good, and we should be thankful for our lives. All of creation is sanctified or made pure, set apart by God, His Word and by our prayers. Therefore, we do need to be continually in prayer, and to continually be thankful for all that we have. We need to choose to live our lives revolved around God and His Love. 'A life stitched in prayer will seldom unravel.' (old saying) When we live our lives for Christ, He TRANSFORMS us, we no longer have to CONFORM to the ways of the world. ("Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 NIV)
TRANSFORM vs. CONFORM
Transform:
–verb (used with object)
1. to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
2. to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
3. to change into another substance; transmute.
4. Electricity
a. to increase or decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of an alternating-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
b. to decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of a direct-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
5. Mathematics . to change the form of (a figure, expression, etc.) without in general changing the value.
6. Physics . to change into another form of energy.
–verb (used without object)
7. to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character; become transformed.
Conform:
–verb (used without object)
1. to act in accordance or harmony; comply (usually followed by to ): to conform to rules.
2. to act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of society or a group: One has to conform in order to succeed in this company.
3. to be or become similar in form, nature, or character.
4. to be in harmony or accord.
5. to comply with the usages of an established church, especially the Church of England.
–verb (used with object)
6. to make similar in form, nature, or character.
7. to bring into agreement, correspondence, or harmony.
When we conform ourselves to the ways of the world, we in fact 'become similar in form, nature or character'. BUT, when we allow God to transform us, He 'changes our form, nature, character and condition' from that which has held us in bondage to that which can become free through Him alone. If you check the 5th definition (although it's mathematical in context) it says 'to change the form of... without in general changing the value'. At the beginning, the Scripture read that everything that God created was good... that includes you. Your worth and your value don't change -- You are valuable, more precious than jewels to your Father, whether you choose to believe in Him or not. He doesn't play favourites. He still loves those that are conformed to this world, yet He desires to transform them too. I'm glad to be 'transformed'... What about you? Is that a 'gift' you can open today? Can you allow Him to change you, inside and out? Compared to the 'Transformers' of today's world -- God is much more powerful than Optimus Prime or Megatron, and He desires a relationship with you. Accept that gift with THANKS!
"So whatever this day holds for you, begin it and end it with God as your partner and Christ as your Saviour. And throughout the day, give thanks to the One who created you and saved you." ('A Woman of Faith' Devotional. Day 37. ©2007 Freeman-Smith, LLC. Nashville, TN. 37202)
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!
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