Fri/Sat/Sun—July 21–23•Jesus Has a Plan 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) We’ve talked this week about the disciples’ failure to understand Jesus’ words. Jesus told them how He would suffer, but they simply couldn’t grasp what He was saying. It’s easy to look at Jesus’ explanations, which seem to be very clear, and wonder in hindsight what blocked His disciples’ ability to understand. Yet many of us don’t really grasp Jesus’ words either. You see, it’s hard to completely understand when Jesus offers us something different than what we think we are looking for. If your primary goal is worldly success or temporal happiness, then frankly, you’re probably not going to understand Jesus. If you feel you can’t comprehend Jesus, start by asking yourself why. Is He your highest thought in every situation? Or are you just trying to figure out how to use Him to get something else you really want? Today’s scripture says don’t allow yourself to be squashed into the world’s mold; instead be transformed from the inside-out, by allowing Jesus to renew your mind. Then, it says, you will be able to understand God’s plan. As Jesus renews our minds, we learn to view life through the lenses of His principles and purposes. Things that seemed difficult to understand become very clear. And on the issues that are still a little blurry, we learn to trust Him, even without having all the information ahead of time. FOR YOUR SMALL GROUP July 17–23 What is the best gift you have ever received for a birthday or Christmas? ■ Did that gift make you feel happy or loved or excited or what? ■ How do you feel about the gift you have received from God? MIMBS 2 Paraphrase today’s Scripture verse, putting Romans 12:2 into your own words. Ask another man how he has seen this work out in his life. Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 4:1–2 Chronicles 10:19, Romans 7:1–8:25, Psalm 18:1–19:36, Proverbs 19:22–26 24
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