I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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. Romans 12:1-2 ESV
Reflection
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call for equality and freedom in his 'I Have a Dream' speech at the March on Washington, became one of the defining moments in our nation’s history. As we look forward to next week’s observance, commemorating his life and contribution to our nation, we must not forget that Dr. King’s speech was really a sermon, and the dream that he expressed was based on the truths of Scripture. As we move forward into 2024, we should find ourselves asking God for another defining moment in history. We should pray for revival to sweep across our nation, for awakening to come, and for God to give us HIS dream, HIS mind, and HIS will for HIS Church, HIS people, and our nation.
Like Dr. King, the dream that we express must be based on the truths of Scripture, combined with Godly action to see that dream realized.
In 1 Thessalonians 5 we learn that these Godly actions are HIS will for us, HIS desire for HIS people. We’re told to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Can you imagine the impact of a rejoicing, praying people, who give thanks in every victory, circumstance, and challenge in life! Can you imagine a people who worship God by presenting themselves as holy and acceptable living sacrifices every single day that they’re here on earth?
Like Dr. King, we can have a dream for the Church and for a lost world in turmoil – that we would see the lost drawn to the testimony of OUR lives as WE live out HIS will for us! That we would see God’s people conformed more and more to the image of Jesus.
How We Can Pray
We can have a dream that we would be transformed into gentle, humble, loving, united, forgiving, peace-filled, faith-filled, Holy Spirit filled people. We can have a dream that the world will see the transformation and the difference in us. We can have a dream that we as the Church would let our light so shine before men, they will see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven. Dr. King lifted up the Word and lit up the World in his day – may we do the same in ours!
Would you please pray with me now?
Father God, YOU appeal to us by YOUR mercies, to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to YOU. YOU command us to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of OUR mind. YOU teach us that by testing everything and taking every thought captive to the Word of God, that we may discern, comprehend and understand what YOUR will is – that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Lord, we thank YOU that YOU are not slack concerning YOUR promise, as some count slackness, but YOU are longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Revive Your people and awaken our nation. In Jesus mighty, powerful, and precious name we pray. Amen.
Rejoicing in hope,
Dion Elmore
Vice President
