Metanoeo

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire his delicacies; for as he thinks within himself, so he is.  He says to you, ‘Eat and drink!’  But his heart is not with you.” Proverbs 23:6-7

“The Greek word translated ‘repent’ in English is the word, ‘metanoeo’.  It is derived from two words, ‘meta’ meaning ‘to change’ and ‘nous’ meaning ‘the mind’.  Quite simply, ‘repentance’ means ‘to change the mind’.  It is not a FEELING, but an ATTITUDE of mind, a thinking process.  The key to God’s working in our lives is in our THINKING. – It has been said that a person is not what they think they are, but what they think, they are!”*

As Jesus noted of the Pharisees, you can DO all the right things, look good, say the right sounding things; yet your heart -- like a cup clean on the outside and dirty on the inside -- is still needing an attitude change.

After all it is the actions arising from our heart/spirit attitude that are the problem if the CORE of our lives is not focused on Christ.  The closer we are to Him, the easier it is to see, sense and take action in response to those attitudes/thoughts.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS:  ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Galdor’s mother has just passed away.  Please pray for him and his family.  Please pray for Blacky, Freddie and Deepak as they struggle through some challenges.  Steve Barns for relief from great pain and depression  For a solution for Audley and Beverly (she is a stroke survivor who remains physically challenged, unable to be left alone for long, limiting Audley’s ability to travel for work.).  Please pray for Michael C, his mother is fading with Alzheimer’s and ill health.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Adrian is doing better.  I did not get the project and I need help getting through this now.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  David still needs prayer for his health.  Adrian is still in a lot of pain and desperately needs a “healthy” place to live.  Tim B and Losa with headaches, that their doctors will OK a new procedure for relief.  For Carlton.  Gwen (13 year old) -- headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/ )  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Deborah and her son Michael, recovering from the loss of her mother to cancer and her father to suicide.  Cucuawe is recovering from the loss of his 17-year old daughter and his father-in-law to cancer.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways. 

For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Tim (my brother) needs financial help, especially with this surgery and no insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  Adam who is investigating a cult that is filling many unmet needs for him.  Scott, as he struggles and grows.  For David K, that his path forward is filled with faith.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children.  For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those still affected by the many natural, financial and political disasters in the past year.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED: That Tim might find satisfying work. Paul has resigned from his job and will need employment again. Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. I still need a new project.
 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price