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The Upper Room sent me to the book of Romans this morning, specifically chapter 12, verse 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.

After reading the verse I contemplated what it meant and I pictured the far too many in our world that are doing what this instruction clearly warns us “not to” do. Sadly, I saw a few of my children.

I don’t have expensive antique furniture to pass down to future generations, or fine china or jewelry. All I have that I’d like them to have is my faith and belief there is a heaven and there is a hell.

I gathered my tools in preparation of verse mapping the words of God written by the hand of Paul. After printing the verse on a sheet of copy paper I drew a box around “conform” then drew an arrow to a section above it where I wrote, “having the same or similar manners, opinions or moral qualities”. I continued on in the same manner where “pattern of this world” generated “refers to the present evil age, the time prior to Christ’s return”. “Transformed by” – “change in form or external appearance”. “Renewing of your mind” – “mental conformity to the truth of God”. I was led to various commentaries and recorded some opinions given in them. “Many Christians wisely decide that a large portion of the world’s behavior is off-limits for them.”

As I said earlier, I’m hoping the written pages in my binder some day reaches the hands and hearts of those I love. Those lost souls I hope God can reach so I can spend eternity in paradise with them by my side.