Christmas
sugar cookies cut in circles instead of other shapes. This is the quickest way
to accomplish the goal! I can still cross the task off my list, right? The
activities of the season have driven additional time from this project. Check it off and move on.
I may be done with these cookies but I
cannot afford to miss the spiritual shaping of my soul. Am I being shaped? Am I
too busy with Christmas tradition and activity to be sensitive to new growth?
“For those whom he foreknew
he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among
many brothers.”
I am so thankful that God knows me
better than I know myself. He helps me in my weakness. In the craziness of life
He can see through it all to the deepest desires of my heart. Forever, He has
planned for me to look like His Son. He will work through all things to
accomplish this purpose in my life. Will I open my hands and release my life
into the Potter’s plans?
“So I went down to the
potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay
was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good
to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not
do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand,
O house of Israel.”
On my own I am spoiled. Am I willing to surrender
to His gentle hands reworking me into the shape of His likeness? Will I
obediently sit in the center of His wheel?
“Do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of
God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
“ As obedient children, do
not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,…”
Help me heavenly Father to surrender
to You! Renew my mind. Help me know Your will, Your plans. Help me to be an
obedient child through Your strength.
“ His divine power has
granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his
own glory and excellence…”
“ Now to him who is able to
do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within
us,…”
Will I accept
this gift? Reworked. Renewed. Remade. Strenghtened. Conformed to His likeness.
It is for my good and His glory.
“ to him be glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.”
Accepting this
gift is a daily, moment by moment choice. As I have reflected on my cookies and
conformation to Christ likeness, I pray that the truth of God’s Word has
encouraged and challenged your heart. Our family wishes you and yours a very
special Christmas as we remember God’s gift of who Christ is, what He has done for us,
and who we are in Him.
~ With Love, Kristen & Family =)
God’s Word ~
Romans
8:26-29 “Likewise the
Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for
words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is
the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according
to the will of God. 28 And we know that
for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are
called according to his purpose. 29 For
those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his
Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Jeremiah
29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a
hope. “
Jeremiah
18:3-6 “So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at
his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was
making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into
another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then
the word of the Lord came to me: 6 “O house of
Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand,
O house of Israel.”
Romans
12:2 “ Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
1
Peter 1:13-21 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded,
set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation
of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient
children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be
holy in all your conduct, 16 since it
is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And
if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's
deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile
ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver
or gold, 19 but with the precious blood
of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the
world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised
him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
2
Peter 1:3-4 “ His divine power has granted to us all things that
pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to
his own glory and excellence, 4 by
which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that
through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from
the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
Ephesians
3:20-21 “ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
