RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL ;
NO “CONTRABANDS” .
Thursday, January 9th .
Pastor Chris
…but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).
The English translation of the word, “prove” doesn’t give us the best expression of what Paul, by the Spirit, conveys in the theme verse. The Greek word is “dokimazō”; and it means to discern or examine; a more appropriate expression is, “to scrutinize.”
To understand this better, consider the custom service section at the entry port of any country. They’re mandated to scrutinize passengers, and in high alert cases, use more sophisticated machines to provide animated images of suspicious items. Right there, the traveller’s eligibility is ascertained, either for entry or denial into that country. That’s what the Spirit is telling us: you have the responsibility to “prove” or scrutinize what you allow into your world! There’re contrabands—things that aren’t consistent with your divine nature in Christ—like sickness, death, poverty, anger, bitterness, frustration, etc.; don’t allow them into your life.
Remember that the Bible says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). You’re to consciously mount a garrison, a blockade, over your heart against the negativities of life. It’s your responsibility, and you have the power and authority to do it. Jesus said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). Keys speak of authority, laws and principles. When you disallow or permit something on earth, heaven gives the authority and backs what you have said.
This year, more than ever, be resolute about not allowing “contrabands” in your life and in your environment. Vehemently refuse the works of evil and forbid them in your body, family, job and around you. Allow only divine realities into your world, things that are consistent with the perfect will of God for your life. If you don’t take a stand, nothing will change; and it begins with the renewing or transformation of your mind. With a renewed mind, you’ll think, permit and express only God’s thoughts, His righteousness, love, kindness, joy and peace in your life, and in your environment. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the power to determine what comes into my world. I disallow every kind of illegal transaction in my life. I vehemently refuse sickness, poverty, death, and everything that hurts and binds. Only things that are consistent with the God-life are permitted in, and around me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: || Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God. ||
|| Romans 8:13 AMPC For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever. ||
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Matthew 7:7-29 & Genesis 23-24
2-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Acts 7:54-60 & Nehemiah 13