We're beginning a new sermon series tonight at Revolution entitled: I'M AT WAR | SPIRIT VS FLESH.

Romans 12:2 
"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."

This week's Scripture of the Week (SOW) is listed above. Romans 12:2 speaks of not conforming to the pattern of this world. Instead we are instructed to be "transformed" by the renewing of our minds. 

This is a powerful thought when considering what it means to be a follower of Christ. There are a lot of people who enjoy the claim of being "Christians" because it gives them certain social status or a sense of self-worth, but to be a true follower of Jesus we must do more than have an outward appearance of Christianity.

How does your mind work? Do you desire selfish things constantly? Do you prefer the needs of others above your own? Do you respond in love to people even when they are mean or hurtful to you? That's what Jesus did, and that's the pattern we should work to reflect. Let us pray that we are more than just "mouth-service" Christians. Let's be transformed in our minds, our hearts, and our lives. 

Our second Scripture of the Week is Philippians 4:6. Here's what it says:

Philippians 4:6 | New International Version (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

This Bible verse seems to to start by commanding us to do something seemingly impossible. Do not be anxious, or worry, about anything? Seriously? Is the writer exaggerating here? How can a person possibly not be anxious about anything?

The answer to those questions follows in the next few words when it says in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Maybe this doesn't seem like a good enough answer at first, but let's break it down and think about it for a second.

Christians claim to believe in a God who is all powerful and all knowing. His decision making abilities are supposed to be second to none, right? Well, if we have a problem in life we have been given the ability to pray or talk to God about our problems. If we truly believe He loves us like the Bible says then we should assume He wants to help us with our lives, right? It makes sense then that when we make our requests known to God that He hears our prayers and responds in the way that is best for us.

This does not mean that God fixes all of our situations the exact way we want them fixed. If we knew what was best for us then we would be God and He would be the imperfect human.
 
The reason we can overcome worry and anxiety is because of our faith and trust in our Lord. If we will pray and trust God in every situation then why should we worry? He's in control of everything, and He will work things out just the right way at just the right time.

I'm going to be blogging some thoughts about our weekly Bible verses or Scriptures of the Week (SOW). Our first verse of the year was John 3;16 that many of you may have already known by heart. Here's what it says:

John 3:16 | New International Version (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

This passage is very important to the Christian faith for several reasons. 

First, it states that God, our Creator, loved us enough to let His Son come to the earth and endure the pain and agony of a crucifixion for us. That is a BIG deal. If you've wondered what the phrase "put your money where your mouth is" means...here is a great example. God doesn't just claim to love people, He proved His love with this powerful sacrifice for our sins.

Another part of this verse that jumps out is the part stating that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, or die, but have eternal life. I think it is interesting that the scientific community even states that energy is neither created or destroyed. Basically it is eternal or everlasting. Our bodies may break down, become sick, or even suffer death, but our spirit remains forever. We have been given a choice by God to love Him or reject Him. That choice will determine if we receive eternal life our not. 

One final thing I want to point out is the word "whoever". When this verse says that "whoever believes" will receive eternal life this shows that God is not prejudice or racist. He loves all humans and wants all of us to have the gift of eternal life. Being a Christian does not make us more special or loved than anyone else. We have simply accepted the free gift God has given us. We should pray and hope that everyone we know finds Christ as well, and know that "whoever" believes in Him (Jesus) will have eternal life. 



 

The Bible states that we "reap what we sow". To "sow" something is to plant it, like a seed. To "reap" means to gather or get a return from. We believe that if we "sow" or plant God's Word in our heart, the result will be that we will "grow" to be more like Christ. Every week at REVOLUTION we are going to have a new feature called, S.O.W. (Scripture of the Week) I challenge you to keep track of the weekly scripture and memorize it during the week.

Write the weekly Bible verse on a postcard, post it on your Facebook wall, text it, just do whatever it takes to learn it and get it in your heart! We'll be working to learn the list below starting on January 1, 2012. I hope you'll work heard to plant God's Word in your heart. I think you'll be amazed at what God can produce in you!

2012 Weekly Memory Verse List

Jan 1 - John 3:16
Jan 8 - Philippians 4:6
Jan 15 -  Romans 12:2
Jan 22 - Galatians 2:20
Jan 29 - Romans 12:1

Feb 5 - Romans 6:23
Feb 12 - Ephesians 2:8-9
Feb 19 -  Philippians 4:7
Feb 26 - Romans 8:28

Mar 4 -  Hebrews 12:1
Mar 11 -  Romans 5:8
Mar 18 -  Psalms 1:1
Mar 25 -  Romans 3:23

Apr 1 - Proverbs 3:5
Apr 8 - Genesis 1:1
Apr 15 - Proverbs 3:6
Apr 22 - Psalms 119:11
Apr 29 - Psalms 1:2

May 6 - Galatians 5:22-23
May 13 - Philippians 4:8
May 20 - Deauteronomy 6:4
May 27 - Philippians 4:13

June 3 - Psalms 23:1
June 10 - Psalms 23:2
June 17 - Psalms 23:3
June 24 - Psalms 23:4

July 1 - Psalms 23:5
July 8 - Psalms 23:6
July 15 - 2 Corinthians 5:17 
July 22 - John 1:1
July 29 - Psalms 1:3

Aug 5 - 1 John 1:9
Aug 12 - Joshua 1:8 
Aug 19 - Psalms 1:4 
Aug 26 - Psalms 1:6 

Sept 2 - Psalms 1:5 
Sept 9 - Exodus 20:3 
Sept 16 - Exodus 14:14 
Sept 23 - James 1:2 
Sept 30 - Hebrews 4:12

Oct 7 - Genesis 2:1
Oct 14 - Jeremiah 29:11
Oct 21 - 2 Timothy 3:16
Oct 28 - Galatians 5:16

Nov 4 - Deuteronomy 6:5
Nov 11 - Hebrews 11:1
Nov 18 - John 3:17
Nov 25 - James 1:3

Dec 2 - Genesis 2:2
Dec 9 - Genesis 2:3
Dec 16 - Romans 8:1 
Dec 23 - Ephesians 2:10
Dec 30 - John 15:7