The Heart is Still Crooked

Pray Over This

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

 

Ponder This

You and I have a heart problem. I'm not talking about a physical ailment. This is an ailment that resists all medication. All the spiritual exercise and all the spiritual diet in the world will not cure the disease of our hearts.

 

The heart is sick; it resists meditation.

 

Many people don't understand that their problem is their hearts, and they're trying to medicate their hearts, when they really need heart transplants. They are trying somehow to cure the problem of sin. But sin is on the inside. Even if you reform on the outside, you've not dealt with the problem of the heart. The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.  

 

I've been to a sawmill from time to time, and watched them put the logs on the cradle, and lop off the edges. They'll take a big log out of the woods that has bumps and knots on it. It may be a little crooked, but they lay it on the cradle, and run it through until it looks straight. On the outside, it's perfectly square, and if you stand and look down it, it's perfectly straight. But if you look at the end of it, the heart is still crooked. That's the way it is with some individuals. Many individuals have tried to reform outwardly. Reformation is not enough. You need regeneration.

What are some ways you have seen that the heart is wicked? What are some ways you have seen that your heart is wicked?

What are some ways God has healed your heart? What are some areas in your heart that still need transformation and healing?

 

Practice This

Pray and open yourself up to God, asking Him to reveal where you still need healing and transformation in your heart.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Be Transformed by God

PRAY OVER THIS

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

 

PONDER THIS

Have you presented yourself to God? Most people have never done that. Most people say, “If I did that, no telling where I’d end up. I’d be a missionary over in a place of poverty.” But it’s time to present yourself to Him. Sign the contract, hand it to Him, and tell Him to fill it in. Don’t be afraid. Because when you present yourself to Him, you’re transformed. “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed.” The word transform is the word from which we get our English word metamorphosis. You will have a divine metamorphosis.

What is a metamorphosis? Meta means “change,” morphose means “form.” It’s a change of form. For example, the caterpillar goes into the cocoon and comes out a butterfly. It has gone through metamorphosis. The inner nature of that caterpillar is a beautiful butterfly. What is the inner nature of a child of God? It’s God. It is glory. It is Jesus. Christ lives in you. When you present yourself to Him as a living sacrifice, there will be a metamorphosis and that which is on the inside will come to the surface.

How difficult do you find it to present yourself fully to God?

What has caused you to hold back from presenting yourself to God?

PRACTICE THIS

Present yourself to God in prayer and bring to Him the things you have been holding back.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Has God Given You a Dream?

PRAY OVER THIS

Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” Genesis 37:5-7

 

PONDER THIS

Let God put a dream in your heart. I was about Joseph’s age when God called me into the ministry. I was in high school, and my pastor told me that God had a plan for everybody’s life. And I wanted to know God’s plan for my life. So, I said, “Lord, I don’t know what You want me to do, but whatever it is, I want You to show me Your will, and whatever it is, I want to do it.”

Now, God spoke to Joseph through a dream. He may speak to you some other way. But the point is this: God has a plan for your life. Would you like to know what God’s plan for your life is? Remember, Joseph just had a vision. He had a hint, but that’s all. God didn’t give him a road map. I think Joseph would have been perturbed had God told him about the pit, the prison, the accusations, and everything else. But he had a dream—something he aspired to. Romans 12:1-2 is such a wonderful verse for formulating our God-given dreams. It says to be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. Do you want to know the will of God? There’s the formula: presentation plus transformation equals realization.

What is a dream God has given you?

When have you desired a road map of God’s will for you? How have you learned to trust God with the details of your life?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray and then write down some of the dreams you have for the future. Consider how these might bring God glory.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

God’s Love Transforms Us to Wonder and Awe

PRAY OVER THIS

“When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”

2 Thessalonians 1:10

 

PONDER THIS

Notice the word “glorified” in this verse. In the Greek language, this word has the idea of wonder, of awe. What are we going to wonder at when we see the Lord Jesus? Think about what we’re going to see. We’re going to wonder at His transforming love. We will see all the saints of the ages made like the Lord Jesus Christ in a moment. Some who’ve been stubborn or God-haters were conquered by His sovereign love. We’re going to see some who were ignorant and blind and had their eyes opened to the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We’re going to see some who were demonized by sex, drugs, and alcohol and have been made pure. We’re going to see all the saints of God rise in glorified bodies like His glorified body. Is He Prophet, Priest, and King? We will be prophet, priest, and king. Is He perfect? We will be perfect. Why will we wonder when we will see the Lord Jesus Christ? Not one vestige of sin will be left in me. I can hardly wait for the day when I am made in the likeness of my blessed Lord.

How does today’s description of the coming of Christ lead you to awe and wonder?

What are those places in you that will be transformed in an instant?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of your own “fatal flaws.” Make a corresponding list of Jesus’ perfection in respect to those things. Reflect on the fact that this is how you will be transformed at His return.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Do People See Jesus in You?

PRAY OVER THIS

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

 

PONDER THIS

I want people to see Jesus in me. Don’t you want people to see Jesus in you? The little boy said to his father, “Dad, is Jesus bigger than I am?” Dad said, “Well, yeah, son, I guess He is.” He said, “Well then if Jesus is in me, He’ll stick out, won’t He?” He sure will if you’ll let Him! The inner nature of a Christian is Jesus.

When there comes transformation, then there comes revelation. When you’re changed by Christ, you gain the mind of Christ. Why did God renew your mind? So, you could think with it. After he talks about renewing your mind, Paul essentially says, “Think, think, think! Don't be afraid to use your mind. You have the mind of Christ.” The will of God is found between your ears when you get right with God.

When you present yourself to Him, a living sacrifice, you’re transformed, you get the mind of Christ, you can use the mind of Christ, and you’re able to make assessments that you could never make before. You think, not with human rationality, not with human intellect, not with human intuition, but with divine guidance because you have the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have you been transformed by Jesus? How has that changed the way you think?

Think about your old ways. How did you think before you were transformed by Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Share with someone your testimony about how Jesus transformed your life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Jesus Wants to Transform You

PRAY OVER THIS

“But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’” Luke 5:5

 

PONDER THIS

May I challenge you to make the words of Peter in this passage the motto of your life? “At Your word I will.” You do not have to understand the command of God to obey that command. Don’t parade it past the judgment bar of your reasoning to see if it makes sense or not. It may not make sense. Throwing the net out on the other side of the boat did not make sense; except it made sense to Jesus.

Jesus is in the transformation business. He transforms worthless water into sparkling wine. And He’s still in the business of transforming people today—human beings like me, like you. Someone wisely said, “Nature forms us, sin deforms us, education informs us, penitentiaries reform us, but Jesus transforms us.” He is a transformer, and He is changing us now.

I think about how He transformed Simon Peter, a blustering, big-mouth fisherman into the fiery apostle of Pentecost. I think about how He transformed the Apostle John, the Son of Thunder, into the apostle of love. I think about how He transformed Matthew, who was a tax collector, into the writer of the Gospel of Matthew. I think of how He transformed Mary, who was a demon-possessed harlot, into a herald of the resurrection. I think of how He transformed my own life. The miracle is in the transformation.

Have you ever followed someone’s advice, even if you didn’t think it would work? What happened? Why did you decide to listen?

What commands of God don’t seem to make sense to you or are hard for you to trust?

PRACTICE THIS

Write down the commands of Christ that seem hard to understand or follow.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Truly Is Success?

BIBLE MEDITATION

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

You’ve heard it said, “The one who dies with the most toys wins.” Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again?

May I tell you what success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That’s what it is.

It’s not how much money you have. It’s not how famous you are. It’s not how healthy you are. It’s not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.

ACTION POINT

Do you want to know God’s will? Do you want your heart’s desire to come true?

Read Micah 6:8. What does God require of you? 

Read Psalm 37:4. What is God calling you to do?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

You Can Know God's Will

BIBLE MEDITATION

“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:1-2 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Some people say, “Oh, I’m searching to know the will of God.” Listen, it’s not your job to find the will of God. It’s God’s job to reveal His will to you. It’s your job simply to present yourself to Him.

If you have been conformed to this world, you will not know the will of God; therefore, you will not do the will of God.

A Christian needs to be transformed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here’s the formula for knowing the will of God:

Presentation + transformation = revelation

1. Present yourself to Him.

2. Allow Him to transform you.

3. He will reveal His will to you.

ACTION POINT

If you want to know the will of God, you must first present yourself to God. Humility and submission are both a part of that. Let Him change you. Then you won’t have to find the will of God; the will of God will find you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Another Lemming?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”... 

(Mark 8:36)

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you know what a lemming is? It's a little animal who somehow gets in his mind a weird compulsion. And then all of them get it. They go headlong on a journey toward the sea. Over the mountains they go. Across the rivers they go. Through the woods they go. Over the marshes and the moors they go—on and on until they get to the sea. Then they jump in and drown. They're doing everything to get there—then that's it.

There are a lot of lemmings these days. They're working, striving, and building, but all to end in a Christ-less existence.

ACTION POINT:

You know, the chief religion in America is the cult of conformity. The theme is “everybody's doing it,” But God saved us out of that—for a purpose! He redeemed us from meaninglessness. It’s so great to be a Christian and to have a purpose in life!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Is Success?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And be not conformed to this world: 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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: 

You’ve heard it said, “The one who dies with the most toys wins.” Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again?

May I tell you what success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That’s what it is.

It’s not how much money you have. It’s not how famous you are. It’s not how healthy you are. It’s not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.

ACTION POINT:

Do you want to know God’s will? Do you want your heart’s desire to come true?

Read Micah 6:8. What does God require of you? 

Read Psalm 37:4. What is God calling you to do?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

You Walk In Newness of Life

BIBLE MEDITATION:

 “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When Jesus Christ died, not only did He die for us, but also we died with Him. You may say, “Well, what difference does it make whether He died for me or I died with Him? It’s just a play on words.” Oh no it’s not, dear friend.

When you’re dead, then death has no dominion over you. You can’t kill a man who is already dead. Let’s suppose a man is put to death for a capital crime he has committed, and yet somehow he is raised back to life. Do you think he can be arrested again for his crime? Absolutely not. That would be double jeopardy. He paid the penalty for his crime.

ACTION POINT:

It is necessary that you understand that when Jesus died, you died, and the law has no more hold on you! Your sin debt has been paid in full because He died for you. You died with Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Life-Giving Christ

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” John 20:31

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. This same Jesus is still in the miracle working business. His business is the business of transformation.

And when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, we will receive life through His name. Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.

ACTION POINT:

What are you asking Christ for today? A miracle? Or for more of Him? Your very next breath is a miracle. Thank God for the miracle of life He has given you today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers