Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Peace”
Our Bible verse for today: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
Our thought for today:
What Paul is telling us in Romans 12:2 is that we have to learn to live from the inside out rather than from the outside in. There needs to be within us an inner core of peace and stability from which our life flows. This is what Solomon was referring to in Proverbs 4:23 when he cautioned us to guard our hearts because the heart is the well-spring of life.
Unfortunately most of us live from the outside in rather than from the inside out. We allow the pressures and demands of life, the expectations of other people, the politically correct thinking of the culture, and our desire to fit in, to press in upon us and thereby determining our priorities and setting our agendas for us. Paul would call that “conforming to this age” and he cautions us to not let it happen. In the J.B. Phillips translation of the Bible Romans 12:2 reads “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.”
In his book “Ordering My Private World”, Gordon MacDonald writes, “We must “choose” to keep the heart. Its health and productivity cannot be assumed; it must be constantly protected and maintained.” He also writes, “There must be a quiet place where all is in order, a place from which comes the energy that overcomes turbulence and is not intimidated by it.”
This is inside-out living. It’s a life that has at its center a a quiet core of peace and stability and from which all the rest of life is approached. As MacDonald explained above, that core doesn’t come into being and then remain peaceful and stable by accident. We have to be intentional about it. This is why the daily disciplines of prayer and Bible study are essential. It’s in the quiet times with God that this inner sanctuary of ours is tended to by the Holy Spirit. Again from MacDonald, “If my private world is in order, it will be because I make a daily choice to monitor its state of orderliness.”
I encourage you to begin your day in quiet time with the Lord. Give yourself at least 20-30 minutes of prayer, Bible reading, and contemplation to start your day. Every time you do that your inner core of peace and stability is strengthened. Then as you go through the day make a conscious effort to live life out of the calm and peaceful center. Rather than allowing the pressures and demands of the day to press in upon you, let the peace and stability within you flow out and influence the world around you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 