Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Paul Email -10Nov2013- Romans 12 Praying for Increase

How you doin? I often read the Scriptures and see things that direct my prayers. My internal furnace is still blowing out flames. Romans 12 today.
Romans 12:2 is a famous verse. I've always noticed that the 2nd part of this verse is commonly left out when people quote it. The 2nd part is as important as the 1st. "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." There's a slippery slope between transforming and conforming. I've talked about this and defined the 2 in a previous email (10/3). In my attempts to allow my mind to be transformed, I must guard against my mind being conformed to something not of God. The 2nd part of verse 2. That's a good word.
Here comes the part that helps me pray. Verse 3, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." The measure of faith that God has given me. This verse makes me think of settling. Do I just except the amount of faith given me or do I ask for more? I think of Jacob and Elisha. Jacob wrestled with God for blessing and Elisha demanded a double mantle. I don't think I'm quite there yet, but I do pray for increase. Increased faith, hope, desire, understanding, wisdom, awareness of His Presence and whatever God has to offer, especially love. COME ON!!!!!!!  Sometimes I just pray for God to increase in me. The thing I don't pray for enough is discernment. I only want to hear God's voice. Through His Holy Ghost of course... I want to live. Sadly enough God's voice isn't the only voice in my head. Bill Johnson said, "I don't want one thought in my head about myself that God doesn't have in His head about me". I'd like to revise that a bit, "I don't want any other voice in my head but God's". Now that's a serious prayer.
Verse 6, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in proportion to your faith;". This lends it's self to a trouble spot for me. When God speaks to me and I share what He says I tend to keep talking after He stops. I'm sure you can imagine how that goes. Yesterday I asked you to pray for me. I was asking you to pray for increase. It's a matter of getting away from the inferior covenant. The fruit of the Spirit comes with faith and grace. AWESOME!!!!!!! Mark 16:17-18 also tells me that signs and wonders will follow receiving the Holy Ghost. I'm praying for the power and authority that the Holy Ghost supplies. I want to live a live that Matthew 10:7-8 describes. Now I'm all wound up and off track. Pray for increase today.

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