A Rose By Any Other Name... is still a Creation of the Grand Designer!

Our Wedding Book

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True Change

"Give your bodies to God 

because of all he has done for you. 

Let them be a living and holy sacrifice 

-This is truly the way to worship him.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, 

but let God transform you into a new person 

by changing the way you think. 

Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, 

which is good and pleasing and perfect.

(Romans 12:1-2 NLT)

New way of thinking?

The Romans of that day would've offered sacrifices to many gods. This was their custom. The new way of thinking comes from the Gospel, and the response should look like verse 1, living sacrifices. We worship God not by any other means other than offering ourselves to Him out of love for Him.

God's Word has the POWER TO CHANGE our THOUGHTS. As we draw closer to Him, we begin to know Him. We will know what He wants for us. We will know what is good, and pleasing, and perfect.

I was challenged over this devotional

because I wrote it when I was 14!

Have I allowed the words to soak it yet?

The Toothbrush

"'I am with you!' declares the Lord" 

(multiple references NIV)

Only one toothbrush in the cup... *sigh* I was feeling a bit lonely with my husband having started his new long distance trucking job. During devo's, I brought it to the Lord in prayer. The Holy Spirit comforted me and told me over and over and over that I am never alone and never will be. He also mentioned that if toothbrushes counted persons, technically there should be 3 toothbrushes; one for His place.

So I added another one, even though I don't suppose He'll use it. But whenever I glance through my bathroom, I'm now reminded that I am not alone.

Engagement Ring - A Guarantee

"...having believed, you were sealed

with the Holy Spirit of promise, 

who is the guarantee of our inheritance..."

(Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV)

No words can describe how I felt the moment Sach slipped an engagement ring on my finger. That moment held such a bubbling over of explicit joy and excitement! That ring was/is so cherished and loved, because it symbolized a promise he made to me.

'The Greek word for guarantee can also be used to indicate an engagement ring. As Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is the Bride, so the Holy Spirit is the down payment, the earnest money, in the long-awaited marriage of the two." (Nelson Study Bible)

The Holy Spirit can be seen as our engagement ring to Christ, our guarantee. Maybe the doctrine behind it is disputable, but still it has changed my perspective for the better. How I loved my engagement ring, and I believed Sach would keep the promise he made. Do we treasure the Holy Spirit and believe He is the guarantee of our inheritance? What does that look like in our daily living?