Romans 12:1-7 - Renew Your Mind

I had been on/off doing structured Bible studies, but I feel at this time, God wants me to go back to less structure and to really listen to what He wants me to hear each day.  Today He had me in Romans 12:1-7.

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 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.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

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 faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The verses that really jumped off the pages of my Bible are in bold above.

First, God said that every day I must renew my mind and shake off the stuff that does not serve my walk with God.  How many times do we get wrapped up in petty things?  To renew one's mind, start afresh and anew feasting on God's Word.  It is the Bread of Life (well, Jesus is).  How do you renew your mind daily?

Secondly, God reminded me that I have gifts.  I believe God has given me many gifts - teaching, serving, giving and yet, they are only being used very little.  I had lost hope that God would truly use the gifts He'd given me and that it was hopeless.  God is renewing my hope in Him about using my gifts for Him and others, but first, I must be renewed in my mind.