The JOURNEY wk2: Transforming Steps Devotional

"Every Journey begins with a STEP!"
I'd like to challenge you to STEP UP your spiritual life through this 3-step devotional that further examines week two's message! Again, I make you this promise... TIME INVESTED in God's Word and prayer (conversation with God) will ALWAYS "unlock" a Spiritual Transformation!

Step 1: Growing in God's Presence - Reading: Psalm 1:1-3, Colossians 2:6-7
Just as trees grow continuously until they die, our spiritual lives should be in a constant state of growth. The Psalmist paints a beautiful picture of a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season. This imagery reminds us that when we root ourselves deeply in God's word and presence, we flourish. Colossians echoes this, encouraging us to walk in Christ, being rooted and built up in Him.

Today, reflect on your spiritual roots. Are you planted firmly in God's truth? Are you drawing nourishment from His presence daily? Consider how you can deepen your roots through consistent Bible study, prayer, and worship. Remember, spiritual growth isn't about perfection, but about progress. Take a step today to grow closer to God, whether it's committing to daily Bible reading or setting aside intentional prayer time.

Step 2: Transformed by Renewing Your Mind - Reading: Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8
Transformation begins in the mind. As we learned from week two's sermon, our thought life matters immensely. Romans 12 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, not conforming to the patterns of this world. This transformation isn't just about positive thinking; it's about aligning our thoughts with God's truth.

Philippians 4:8 gives us a practical filter for our thoughts. Today, challenge yourself to be mindful of your thought patterns. When negative or worldly thoughts creep in, consciously redirect your mind to things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. Start by writing down one negative thought pattern you struggle with and counter it with a truth from Scripture. Let this be the beginning of a transformed mind that bears the fruit of Christlikeness in your life.

Step 3: Bearing Fruit Through Connection - Reading: John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:22-23
Jesus uses the powerful metaphor of a vine and branches to illustrate our need for constant connection with Him. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, we cannot produce spiritual fruit apart from Christ. This fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – is the evidence of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Today, examine your connection to the True Vine. Are there areas of your life where you're trying to produce fruit on your own strength? Surrender those areas to God. Spend time in prayer, visualizing yourself as a branch connected to Christ, drawing life and nourishment from Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life, and look for opportunities to express that fruit in your interactions with others today.